God’s Word From My Heart To My Lips: Homilies For Sundays And Solemnities, Year C

Preface

This book is the product of my reflections on the readings of Sundays and Solemnities of the churches’ liturgical calendar year C It is also, a product of what started like a brief reflection in the bulletin of my first priestly assignment at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Woliwo Onitsha Nigeria. It is my little contribution to the church the entire people of God who have accompanied me throughout this journey. I have preached all the homilies in this book. That is simply to say that in spite of writing them down to help others who need some insights to help them prepare their homilies, it is first for me a real tool for my weekly preaching’s. In order words, it was not my initial intention to sit down to write and publish a book on homily. This informed the reason I have thrown it open to everyone on my blog (https://frcanicenjoku.wordpress.com/). In spite of my very busy schedule in my mission, every week I have revised and updated each homily

This project has kept me both busy and on my toes for over six year now. The myriads of reactions, commentaries, appreciations, fraternal correction and imputes (see the appendix) from all my readers have been the fuel that has kept me doing this. Though, they did not leave me without a burden that somebody is watching and waiting for the next homily or its update. Also, knowing that I have a diverse audience has made me nervous at times in other to at least approximate to what will edify and make sense to everyone. In spite of all odds, this has given me a great sense of duty and fulfillment.

In order not to make this project just a mere weekly homily, but a full book for all time, I have also, taken the thematical approach by trying to suggest a theme for each homily. However, these themes are not the final say. Rather, it is a way of helping my readers to have an idea of what could be the central message of each celebration. Where it is very necessary, I have tried to harmonize the readings of the day. Also, where it is necessary, I have equally employed brief stories and other biblical passages, quotes, popular sayings and even my personal life experiences in order to make the message clearer and comprehensible. I have tried to keep it short and simple. However, great care has been taken in doing this by keeping in mind the rules of good biblical interpretation, and without down playing the message and meaning of the individual readings. Hence, this book follows both the catechetical and exegetical approach.

This book is divided into six parts following the usual liturgical calendar for each cycle or year. Part I is on the Advent Season. Part II is on the Christmas Season. Part III is on the Lenten Season. Part IV is on the Easter Season. Part VI, is on longest part of the cycle, the Ordinary time of the year. The final Part VI, is on the Solemnities and Commemorations. It suffices to note that, Homilies for all the solemnities that are usually celebrated on Sundays (e.g. Trinity, and Corpus Christi.) are included in this section in their appropriate positions. The beauty of this is that, there is a flow here without having to search for them elsewhere.

I have also, decided to include some comments from my readers here. This is because, they provided the much-needed catalyst for being faithful to this task. These comments are more precious to me than the finest gem. From them, I have derived great joy and strength. to continue writing.

Finally, my decision to publish these homilies stem from the yearning of my readers and companions who have encouraged me to put them together in a book. So, while not having the financial strength to put is out in hard or printed copy right now, I have at least decided to publish it as an eBook. This is with the hope of casting it in hard copy as soon as I have the full capacity to do so. If you appreciate this effort please pick your e-copy and this will go a long way help produce its print edition.

Acknowledgement

First and foremost, am highly indebted to Very Rev. Fr. Valentine Eze, C. S. Sp (my former Parish Priest) and the entire Catholic Community of Our Lady of Fatima Parish Woliwo, for giving me the opportunity to write and publish brief reflections in the parish weekly bulletin. This was the genesis of what we have as a book today.

I appreciate the overwhelming support of Fr. Cornelius McQuillan, C.S.Sp (Neil) who encouraged and inspired me to publish these homilies first as an ebook during my 2018 brief vacation at the Spiritan Community, Hemet, California. I thank him immensely for introducing me to Smashwords.com and actually taking time to teach me the nitty gritty of ebook editing and publishing.

I am seriously indebted to all my readers across the globe, and most especially to the following Spiritan confreres who through their frequent comments, and compliments, encouraged me to continue writing: Very Rev Fr. Michel Onwuemelie, C.S.Sp., Fr. Matthias Odaudu, C.S. Sp (The Holy Monk); Fr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp (Cheche); Fr. Justin Nnaemeka Onyeukaziri, C.S.Sp (Mbaka); and all my Spiritan confreres of the Spiritan International group of Puerto Rico (the Island of Enchantment) and Dominican Republic.

I am grateful to all my beloved parishioners at la Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor Canovanas, Puerto Rico where I have preached all these homilies in Spanish. I know that you will receive this book with your usual outburst of joy while earnestly waiting its Spanish version as quickly as possible. Claro que sí, viene pronto (of course, it will come soon)

Finally, I am grateful to my elder brother Mr. Lawrence N. Njoku. Right from the first day I started publishing these homilies on my blog in 2013, he was the first to put across to me the idea of putting these them together and publishing them as a book. Since then, he has mentioned it to me a number of times.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

Glossary Of Terms

BVM Blessed Virgin Mary

S Solemnity

Adv. Advent

Comm Commemoration

CCC Catechism Of the Catholic Church

ST. Summa Theologiae

C.S.Sp Congregation of the Holy Sprit

JB John the Baptist

OT Old Testament

NT New Testament

NIV New International Version

Adv. Advent

Content

Preface

Acknowledgements

Glossary of Terms

Part One: Advent Season

First Sunday: The Advent of mercy and liberation

Second Sunday: Come quickly Lord, and restore the joy of our salvation

Gaudete Sunday: Brethren, be joyful and happy in the Lord

Fourth Sunday: O Lord, we are ready for your divine visitation and Encounter

Part Two: Christmas Season

Christmas Day: The Mystery is revealed, and the Word is among us!

The Holy Family: Emulating the Holy Family of Nazareth

Second Sunday: Christ, God’s Wisdom and Light that dispels our darkness

Part Three: Lenten Season

Ash Wednesday: It is not an easy road, but Jesus Walks with us

First Sunday: A Journey Towards Victory and Salvation

Second Sunday: The Future Glory and Splendor of Christ

Third Sunday Repentance provokes God’s Compassion and Mercy

Laetare Sunday: Reconciled with God Through Christ

Fifth Sunday: Christ Frees Us from Our Sinful Past

Passion Sunday: Humility in Suffering and Service

Holy Thursday Celebrating Christ in the Holy Eucharist (The Lord’s Supper)

Good Friday: What Is Good About Good Friday?

Part Four: Easter Season

Easter Sunday: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today: Alleluia, Alleluia!

Second Sunday: The Risen Christ Brings Us Peace and Healing

Third Sunday To the Risen Christ Be All Power, Honor and Glory

Fourth Sunday: Christ Our Good Shepherd Never Fails

Fifth Sunday: The Risen Christ: The Hope of the New Creation

Sixth Sunday: The Holy Spirit, the Radiant Glory of Christ that enlightens us

Seventh Sunday: The Holy Spirit, the Greatest Communicator of All Times

Pentecost Sunday: Happy Birthday: The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

Part Five Ordinary Time

First Sunday: The Baptism of the Lord

Second Sunday Participating in Christ’s Ministry with Our Gifts

Third Sunday: Christ, The Good News that Liberate Us

Fourth Sunday: Responding to God’s Call with Love

Fifth Sunday: The Lord Makes Us His Worthy Messengers

Tenth Sunday: Jesus Christ, The Author of New Life

Eleventh Sunday: The Justice, Mercy and Forgiveness of our God

Twelfth Sunday: Who is Christ, And What Does He Mean to Me?

Thirteenth Sunday: Sacrifice Your Oxen for The Sake of Christ!

Fourteenth Sunday Instruments of Christ’s Peace

Fifteenth Sunday: God Is Close to Us in His Word and In Our Neighbor

Sixteenth Sunday: Paying Attention to Christ Our Guest

Seventeenth Sunday: Let us Persevere in Pray!

Eighteenth Sunday: Let us remain focused on heavenly realities

Nineteenth Sunday: We are the People of God

Twentieth Sunday: With Christ we are victorious

Twenty First Sunday: The Reunion at the kingdom feast

Twenty Second Sunday: Humility: An indispensable Christian virtue

Twenty Third Sunday: Commitment and self-sacrifice

Twenty Fourth Sunday: The Lord is merciful and compassionate

Twenty Fifth Sunday: Christ Defends the poor and the oppressed

Twenty Sixth Sunday: Be just and work for eternal life!

Twenty Seventh Sunday: Living by Faith that never fails

Twenty-Eight Sunday: Gratitude to God for His Goodness

Twenty Ninth Sunday: United with Christ in unceasing prayer

Thirtieth (Mission) Sunday: Renewing our commitment to Christ’s mission

Thirty First Sunday: The Merciful Christ is passing our way

Thirty Second Sunday: Endurance and Hope in Jesus Christ

Thirty Third Sunday: We Shall Triumph Through Perseverance and Hard Work

Thirty Fourth Sunday: Exalt the Universal King of Glory!

Part Six: Solemnities And Commemorations

Imm. Conception (S): Prepared from Heaven

Mother of God (S): Holy Mary Mother Of God, Intercede For Us This Year

The Epiphany: Living the example of the wise kings

Annunciation (S): Hail O Mary! Let the whole world rejoice

Saint Joseph (S): The Faithful Spouse

Ascension (S): Christ goes up in Glory

Holy Trinity Sunday: Emulating and living in the harmony of the Holy Trinity

Corpus Christi: All Praises and Honor to The Most Holy Sacrament

Sacred Heart (S) Heart of Love and Compassion

Birth of J. Baptist (S): Celebrating the Great Heralder

SS Peter and Paul (S): The Pillars and Princes of Church

Assumption of BVM (S): Conceived without sin and incorruptible

All Saints (S): They came, they struggled, and they conquered

All Souls (Comm): May all the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen!

References

Appendix

About the Author

Part One: Advent Season

First Sunday Advent, Year C

The Advent of Mercy and Liberation

Readings: 1st: Je 13, 33-37; Ps: 24; 2nd: I Th 3, 12. 4, 2; Gos: Lc 21, 25-28, 34-36

The term Advent comes from two Latin words Ad-ventus or ad-venire, which simply means to arrive or to come respectively. Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical calendar. It is a four-week period leading up to Christmas. For us Christians and Catholics in particular, it means a time of expectation and preparation for the Lord’s coming. So, the prophecy of John the Baptist: a voice of one calling in the desert, prepare a way for the Lord …" (Mk 1, 3), echoes loudly to us this season.

Advent is a time when we expect mercy and liberation because our Lord, the King of the universe whose solemnity we celebrated last Sunday comes with power to reign over his people. This Advent is special because it ushers in the year of mercy and liberation. Therefore, Christ comes to pardon and liberate us from fears, and all types of operations.

As our first reading puts it, this is the time we expect the fulfillment of God’s promises to us – His children. The promise is about our deliverance, and the restoration of our lost integrity which has been stifled by fear of the unknown. It is equally a time of restoration of our hope and faith. Jesus comes also to liberate us from shame and its attendant sorrows.

How do we begin this preparation? Paul gives us a clue in our second reading when he says: May he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God…when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints. Holiness of life in our world today appears to have lost its meaning or perhaps is one concept that sounds so abstract.

In other words, it is believed by many, even Christians, to be unattainable. Yet, it is a necessary condition for seeing and meeting the Lord when he comes because, without holiness no man can see the Lord (Heb 12, 14). It therefore means that in spite of the difficulties we face in attaining holiness, this season as Paul admonishes us, we have to make more and more progress in the kind of life that we are meant to live. This is a call to strive for perfection. If it were not possible, Christ and the apostles would not have told us to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect. So, this season, let us endeavor to shone greed, licentiousness, inordinate ambitions, anger, malice, backbiting, gossips, abortion, drunkenness, immodesty, and all sorts of vices. We must prepare and equip ourselves with good virtues like a bride waiting for her groom.

Finally, one other important thing we must do as today’s gospel tells us is, to keep ourselves positively busy, awake and watchful. Therefore, this is a call for us to intensify and strengthen our prayer life. This is because prayer purifies the soul; it casts away all fears, and it prepares and strengthens us.

Prayer provides us the spiritual energy, courage and confidence to stand firm while waiting for our Lord’s coming. Intensive prayer this season rather than being carried away by mundane preparations is what the Lord wants from us. May our Lord find us awake and ready when he comes to liberate us from the fear that holds us captive. So, let us join the psalmist to say: To you, O Lord I lift up my soul, make me know your ways, and teach me your paths (Ps. 34, 4).

Peace be with