Homily 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily 11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

 Readings: 2 Sam 12:7-10, 13; Ps 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11; Gal 2:16, 19-21 and Luke 7:36–8:3

Our Sins Are Forgiven With Love!

The readings of today teach us how to forgive with love, and how to live with faith in Christ.

This is true in Nathan- David’s story in the first reading. David is the one that defeated Saul and became the second King of Israel. He repulsed the Philistines and brought the Ark to Jerusalem. David expressed the desire to build a house for the Lord. But the Lord said “no”. Rather, He- God, will built a house for David and establish an everlasting covenant with him. David will have many family problems. In the midst of all these, God will treat David as his son. He will also punish him whenever he commits any sin, like any other human being (2 Sam 7:14); including the sins of adultery with Bathsheba and subsequent masterminding  of the death of her husband, Uriah.

What was also important in David-God relationship is David’s love for God, in spite of his personal brokenness. He fought tirelessly for the Ark- symbol of God’s presence and honestly desired to build the Lord a house. Today, David also acknowledges his limitation that he has “sinned against the Lord,” (2 Sam 12:7-10, 13), the one who can also forgives.

And he allows this joy of confession to flow from his lips in Psalm 32:

“Blessed is the one whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. I acknowledge my sin to you, my guilt I covered not…You are my shelter’ from my distress you preserve me…”

How many of us reciprocate God’s love for us, at least by acknowledging our weaknesses and by confessing our sins. How often do we not forget or be so insensitive to those we have offended?  It is a true sign of our love for God, and all he stands for: peace, truth, love, faith, and hope- when we turn to say “sorry” to our friends, neighbors, colleagues and family members, particularly those we have offended. We also express our love for God when we openly and sincerely receive back, with love those who may have offended us.

Imagine Paul who was once an enemy, and an ardent persecutor of those who had anything to do with Christ. Today in Galatians 2, that same Paul is able to say, “I live no longer, but Christ who lives in me.”

Finally, imagine the women in the house of Simon, the Pharisee, whom Jesus completely forgives in today’s gospel narrative, in fact, one of the most beautiful divine gestures of Jesus. The anonymous woman in the story is a model for each of us. Although a sinner, like any of us, she welcomes the forgiving grace of God, by her gestures of gratitude, humility and love- weeping before Christ, anointing, kissing and cleaning Christ’s feet with her hair not with a towel or paper napkin!

These are all gestures of love and deeper love. The woman loves more. We are called to love more! This is evidence in the response to the question Jesus put to the judgmental Simon, “when two categories of debtors say, of five and fifty dollars or euros are forgiven, who will be more grateful? Notice, Simon said, the one whose greater debt, fifty dollars, was forgiven. This is true of the woman, a public sinner, despised, marginalized, mocked by the elites, and rejected by others in the society- whom we are not really sure are holier than the woman. Its only God that knows and sees through our hiddenness! Forgiveness is a gratuity, a mysterious gift from God. It is a mystery of God’s love which anticipates our response and repentance. It urges us to love and pushes us to live not for ourselves, but for Christ, through our charitably relationship with our neighbors.

As people forgiven by Christ, set free by his love, may we faithfully go out there and love, and forgive those who may have offended us.

Homily 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily 10^th Sunday in Ordinary Time- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: 1Kings 17:17-24; Ps 30; 2-6, 11-13; Gal1:11-19 and Luke 7:11-17

Jesus’ Response to the Needy

Last Sunday on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ we encountered Christ the compassionate High Priest who feeds the multitude and blesses them. In today’s readings he heals the sick and strengthens those who are marginalized and are weak in various ways: physically, psychologically, materially and spiritually!

In the Gospel reading of today, Jesus saw the coffin of the only son of Widow of Nain. Moved by the sorrowful mother, He touched the casket, and the young was brought to the widow. Similar incidence happened in Zerephath between Prophet Elijah and the child of another widow, who was healed and brought back to life (1 Kings 17:17-24).

These incidences are great reminder to us that our God is a merciful God. He is compassionate and forgiving. He is committed to the poor, the afflicted, the weak, the needy, the sick, the suffering, and the dying, and of course their entire families. He manifests himself to us through the loving and pastoral presence of not only our prophets and pastors, but through our sincere presence for one another.

For Paul as weak as he was in his former ways of hating the Christians, but with the grace of God who changed things around in his life,  revealed himself to him, Paul became an ardent proclaimer of the Gospel to the Gentiles (Gal 1:11-19).

Like Elijah, Christ and Paul each of us are invited to be in solidarity with one another, our friends, our spouses, the sick, the weak and the needy, the dying and the sorrowful. It is also important for us to remember, to be grateful, and continuously sing praises to God, for what he has already done for us (Ps 30:2), in Christ Jesus.

Homily- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year C- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily- The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Year C- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110:1-4; I Cor 11:23-26 and Luke 9:11b-17

The Living Bread that Come Down from Heaven,

On the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ we not only come together to celebrate the compassionate High Priesthood of Christ; what he does for us. He blesses us. He provides for us. He feeds us when we are hungry because he is the living bread and drink that come down from heaven and brings us life.

I have no doubt that when Pope Urban IV in 1264, of the time of Saint Thomas Aquinas instituted this celebration, among the things he had in mind was that we continue to be devoted to Christ, worship him with hymns and songs, processions, genuflections, adoration,  veneration, visitations, for he is ever present with us in the Blessed Sacrament of love, at Mass, in the bread we break, in the cup we share, in our neighbors we love, in the Church we listen to, and pray with. He is present on our faith journeys. He is the living bread that come down from Heaven.

In today’s gospel the disciples of Jesus had just return from their mission to give Christ the account of their missionary work. In the scene was a multitude of those who came to listen to Christ about the kingdom of God. It was late and time for dismiss them. But for Christ the bread of life, they must be given something to eat. First of all they were given a seat. With the multiplication of five loaves and two fish Christ the living bread compassionately fed  this multitude of  5,000 people , with surpluses  that filled about 12 wicker basket ( Luke 9:11-17).

Similar event is seen in the Book of Genesis 14, put into music in Psalm 110 “You are a priest in the line of Melchizedek.” We don’t know much about Melchizedek except what we learn and read from the scriptures. He was a king of Salem, at least this we know. But we don’t know who was his father, mother or family. When Abraham came back victorious from a local war Melchizedek offered Abraham bread and wine. He also blessed Abraham who offered him a tithe- tenth of what he had.

Melchizedek’s role is that of a priest- the type of Christ- a superior and compassionate high priests, as source of peace, life and righteousness, whom we as Abraham are called to adore, imitate, worship and offer ourselves onto. If Christ could give us his life, his body, his blood on the cross, his blessings, his love who are we then not to worship, imitate, adore and obey him.

This we could do through various ways- devotion, prayers, acts of love and charity. Remember whatever we do to the least of our brothers and sisters so we do unto God (Matt 25) so we do onto Christ- the Living Bread whom we share at this Mass.

This is the point that Paul makes in the second reading (1 Cor 11:23-26) “for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.”  We relive all that he taught us. He taught us unity and sharing. He taught us of his ever presence in the life of each and everyone of us, the rich and the poor.  He taught us how to endure, how to be patient and how to forgive. He taught us how to trust, how to hope, love and how to be compassionate, and how to share our bread and drinks, time and talents with our neighbors.

Homily – The Most Holy Trinity year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

 Homily – The Most Holy Trinity Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Prov 8:22-31; Ps 8:4-9; Rom 5:1-5 and John 16:12-15

Hope and the Wonders of our Creator

 The Responsorial Psalm of today, “O Lord our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth (Psalm 8:2a), in my own opinion, sets the tone for our celebration today. We celebrate the mystery of God’s Love. We celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity- God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit.

This mystery is displayed in the history of God’s relationship with us, told by our forefathers and mothers, in the traditions of the Church, and most of them narrated in the passages of the Scriptures. On Monday after the Pentecost, the beginning of the ordinarily liturgical Season, the first reading from Ben Sira 1:1-10   reminded us that one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Wisdom was created from the beginning. This Spirit of Wisdom, Hokma, Sophia, Sapientia-is God personified who became Christ his Son and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

Interestingly, in the First Reading of today, from the Book of Proverbs 8:22-31 we learn again that before the earth was made, Wisdom was conceived, when the Lord established the heavens Wisdom was there, when we marked out the vault over the face of the deep, when he made the skies and fixed the foundation of the world- the story we hear from Genesis 1–3 Wisdom- given to us on that day of Pentecost was there.

It is this Spirit, the same Wisdom that has always been there before the foundation of the world that Jesus in today’s Gospel- the last discourse before the Cross reminded his disciples  to expect and hold onto when he will no longer be there physically (John 16:12-15).

The Disciples of Christ needed this Wisdom then. We need this Wisdom today, in the altar of life.  No wonder some have name their children "wisdom"  or Institutions like colleges and universities "Seat of Wisdom," ! Mary the Mother of Jesus is praised as the "Seat of Wisdom"!  Iffom Itie Oniong- in my native African language!

We need this Wisdom as we begin the ordinary Season. We need this Wisdom in our daily lives, in our daily relationship with one another. We need this Wisdom in the decision we take, in the evaluation we make, and in the decision we take. It is Wisdom that enables us to look back and even admire creation, the mountain, the skies, the seas, the vegetation all that God had created.

 Besides these creations, in moments of tragedies and hardship, even the type that Saint Paul experienced in the early Church, it is Wisdom that gives us hope, faith and grace to endure.  To an afflicted Church, Paul says,

“Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us”

 I think if there is anything we want to wisely take home today from this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, it is faith not doubt, unity not division, hope not despair, trust rather than distrust and total acceptance of the will God, especially in moments of temptations and lack of intelligible explanations to certain circumstances of our lives, good and bad. It could be the pains and sickness that has no remedy, the natural tragedies around the world, the earthquakes, the tsunamis, the sandies, and the tornados!  What do we say to those in Oklahoma?

But also think about the many blessings God has blessed us with, even the oxygen, the moon, the sun, the flowers, the beautiful weather, the gifts of friendship, the gifts of unity, the gift of hope and love, the gifts of our neighbors; many mysteries that we have no explanation for. May we continue to sing the wonders of our God (Ps 8:2). And may this mystery of his love- of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit continue to be upon us as we place all our hope in Him.

Homily Pentecost Sunday Year C (Mass during the Day): Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily Pentecost Sunday Year C (Mass during the Day): Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 24,29-30,31,34; I Cor 12:2-3b-7, or Rom 8:8-17 12-13 and John 20:19-23 or John 14:15-16,23b-26

The Role of our Spiritual Paracletos

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Pentecost, 50 days after the celebration of Easter- the resurrection of Christ. 50 days ordinarily or 50 anniversary of any of our chosen vocation is a lot and quite significant. The Jews celebrated 50 days after the Feast of Passover- thanking God for the gift of harvest as well for His Sinaitic Covenant with Moses which also occurs 50 days after the beginning of the Exodus in Egypt.

Today is significant for us and the Church. It marks the end of the Easter Season and commemorates the day that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate came upon the Apostles and the Church. Recall, at Christ’s baptism the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, which he acknowledged at the beginning of his ministry.  He said, “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has anointed me to bring Good news to the poor, and liberty to the captives….” This spirit guided Jesus throughout his ministry, raised him from the dead from the dead, and enabled him ascends to the Father, as we saw last week, on the Solemnity of Ascension.

But prior to this, as witnessed in the Gospel readings of today, particularly John 14, Jesus, says to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.”

Jesus says this in John 14 because he knew as he had finished washing the feet of his disciples in John 13 he was nearing the end of his earthly mission. Moreover, his disciples were getting worried about the depature of Jesus. He knew they needed a Helper, the PARAKLETOS, and the Holy Spirit after he was gone. They will need “a lawyer” and “attorney”, “an advocate” to speak for them, supports them, strengthens them, and champions their cause after he was gone.

The gift of this PARAKLETOS, this lawyer, this spiritual guide and advocate(who watches our backs) is what we celebrate today. It was such an important gift for the early Church. St. Luke tells us in Acts of the Apostles how the persecuted and frightened  or post-ascension church could not really teach the mission of Jesus to the understanding of everyone from different tribes and culture until they had received the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit the early church was filled with fear, wrangling, uncertainties and confusions.

It was this PARAKLETOS that enables the Apostles to face with love and patience the ridicule, the rejection they had to deal with after the ascension of Jesus. The  same Holyy Spirit t enables them to be understood by people of all nations listed in the first reading. It brings unity among many other gifts such as wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. It’s a gift that heals our fears, wranglings, uncertainties and confusions.

During the time of St. Paul, evident in the 2^nd reading, some of these challenges were there: division, discrimination, quarrels, pride, boasting, abuse of individual talents and selfishness. Hence, he invites his church to be one, and acts as different parts of our body would. This is what baptism should enable us, Christians to do. We become one in Christ, no matter our culture, nation and language. Paul, says, Just as the eye cannot say I don’t need the fingers or the nose, my legs or ears are not necessarily, we need one another in Christ.

As baptized Christians, its improper, to say or think that your next door neighbor or the next person on your left or right is not important. Every one is needed. All the gifts we have are important and we need your gifts to live in fullness with Christ.  None of us sitting here is a chance factor before God or is not gifted with one gift or another. We are all gifted. For Paul the sharing of these various spiritual gifts enriches the Church, since they all come from the same Spirit for the common good. In other words these gifts are meant for the common good, for the community.  They may reside in some of us informs of prophecy, teaching, administration, acts of charity, healing, speaking in tongues, apostleship and prophesies.

When we allow ourselves to be lead, watched-over, and  be advised by this PARAKLETOS, especially in a divided world of today, we reap the fruits joy, peace, forgives, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal 5:22ff).  

 And as we will soon say in the prayer over the offerings at this Mass, the hidden mystery of the sacrifice of Christ and what it means to be a Christian in the 21^st century will be revealed to us, and we will be graciously led into all truth. The truth to love,  the truth to be charitable and help one another, the truth to be humble, the truth to forgive, the truth to believe, the truth persevere, the truth to be peaceful, and the truth to hope and to be joyful.

Homily of the Ascension of the Lord Year C: (Mother’s Day USA) Fr .Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily of the Ascension of the Lord Year C: (Mother’s Day USA) Fr .Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Eph 1:17-23 or Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 and Luke 24:46-53

Lifted up to  love and make known the Gospel

 In different parts of the world, including the ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha and Philadelphia here in the States, the Solemnity of Ascension was celebrated on Thursday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter. In other places including our Archdiocese (Milwaukee) here, Ascension is celebrated today, the Seventh Sunday of Easter. And it is also a mother’s day in the United States.

First of all today's celebration is a culmination of the events of the Paschal mysteries of Christ (recall his birth-ministry-passion-death-resurrection and Ascension)! Remember, during the Passion Week, it was evident that the death of Christ was never going to be a defeat, but a victory, exaltation, a glorification. He long foretold in John 12:32, “when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw everyone to myself.”

On that Cross, Christ stood tall. He rose above the pettiness of those who had anything to do with His persecution. He drew to himself the Jews, the Gentiles, men and women, including, the Roman soldiers, the Beloved Disciples, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, every one was at the foot of the Cross.  With his resurrection and appearances many also including the doubting Thomas came to belief in Christ and finally was able to say, My Lord and My God.”

 The readings of today continue to testify to God’s work in Christ Jesus. In Luke’s gospel account of the Ascension Jesus reminded his disciples of what his mission of suffering- death and resurrection and ascension, was all about. He encouraged them to spread on the good news fearlessly to all part of the world. As he return to his father, the promise of the father, the Holy Spirit will be sent to strengthen them on this mission. Luke tells us that Christ  blessed them before he “was lifted up into heaven” where he took his seat at the right hand of God, presiding at the heavenly sanctuary. The Epistle to the Hebrews also affirms this ( Heb 9:24-28;10:19-23). Luke presents the same testimony in the first reading, Acts of the Apostles (1:1-11), confirmed by Paul in the Second reading, Ephesians 1:17-23.

In all these the love of God is at work. Love in the very Incarnation; love in his ministry, love behind the sacrifice of himself on the cross, rather than the levitical bulls and goats in the earthly sanctuary. In the heavenly sanctuary he continues to minister with love. This love demands a response from us.  It requires a response of love, sincerity of heart, absolute and unwavering trust in God.

Ordinarily, we find this unwavering love and trust most often in a loving mother- son relationship. This, I think is important as we celebrate our mother’s day today. Think of the 9 months or so pregnancy period, the care and love mothers have for their babies after birth and the unquantifiable investment in raising their kids.  This unwavering love of a mother reminds me of a story of a Maltese loving mother who gave birth to conjoin-Siamese baby boys. Any surgery to separate them would result from one baby boy giving up his life for the other. It was a very difficult choice for both parents, especially the mom, who really spoke up, passionately. Her argument was that she loved both children equally, unwaveringly, without partiality.  

This is who God is in the events of the paschal mysteries of Christ. He loves us equally. God never disappoint any one who trust in Him.  He continues to be at work in us. When we are down he is prepared to lift us up. When we are discouraged he is there to offer us courage. He commissions his disciples to be witnesses throughout Judah, Samaria and ends of the earth.” Christ is indirectly commissioning us today. But this mission is never just been measured by distance. It is measured by faith, hope and love.  There is mission to be done in this parish/school and residence home/families. It is measured by hope. It is measured by love. It is measured by the way we imitate Christ, his principles and values, in every circumstances of life.

 We are called to be missionaries even onto ourselves, to our children, to our spouses, friends, families and next door neighbors. With his Ascension we are called to transcend faithlessness and continue to pray for our nations to recognize more and more the place of God in our lives, in our politics and homes.

We live in a challenging time that some children, husbands tend to ignore if not abandon their parents, wives or aged moms in nursing homes, without visitation. Sometimes we forget their roles in our lives, in our families.  I saw on the TV yesterday an “attaching image” of 2-3 year old boy to a loving mom. The boy was stood up on a stool while being breast fed by the mom. And the argument on media was whether breast feeding was good or not, and to what year. Most impressively said breast feeding is still the best at least in the first year of the baby!   I personally was very close to my loving mom . I wonder where I would have been today without mom, who not only breast-fed me, but her overall care, physical/spiritual and unwavering love and upbringing.

Today is the day we want to say thank to all our mothers, in our communities, and homes. Call them. Send them cards. Take them out for dinner. Present them with flowers and learn to imitate their God’s given virtues of care, affection, diligence, and selfless love for all their children without partiality.

Let us also pray that as Christ was lifted up, we may be lifted up in Spirit to be able to love, lift up others , especially the poor, the sick,  the aged, and the needy, the less-privileged, and continue to believe and make known the Good News of Christ, in our words and actions, in our homes, families and  to the whole  world, in every situation in life.

Homily 6th Sunday of Easter Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Homily 6^th Sunday of Easter Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Rev 21:10-14, 22-23 and John 14:23-29

The presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit

Easter Cycle is winding down as we approach the Ascension and the Pentecost. With this, today’s readings reminds us of the ever presence of Christ in our midst, through the Holy Spirit. This Spirit brings us reconciliation, unity, joy, love of God and peace.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles paints a picture of disputes and misunderstanding between Paul’s community and the Jerusalem Community concerning the OT practice of circumcision and practice of mosaic laws. This dispute, we notice was not resolved with weapons and military might, nor with protracted court litigation, but with mutual dialogue between the two parties. This is an excellent example for how Christians, especially in a volatile world of today, should resolve conflicts: with prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through mutual respect, dialogue of peace and love.

This love is the way of Christ. And Christ minces no words in today’s gospel when he says to his disciples, whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” Whoever imitates Christ and follows his teachings have Christ constantly dwelling and living with him or her in Spirit.

The Spirit of Christ radiates joy in place of sadness. It promotes reconciliation instead of revenge.  It brings us peace (shālôm), growth and prosperity, instead of decay, war, violence and terrorism. And when Christ says in the gospel, “ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you,” as a Jew, he meant to say, he wishes us everything that is good in this life: success in the works of our hand, our well -being, unity, good health, long life, and many other blessings that only God can give.

As Christians, when we receive these blessings, we are obliged to reach out and to share these blessings of joy, reconciliation, respect for all, dialogue of love and peace with the society of our neighbors, lit by the light of the glory of God (Rev 21:10-14, 22-23), and of the Holy Spirit.