Category Archives: Sunday Homily

THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE EXODUS 20:1–17; PSALM 19; 1 Corinthians 1:22–25; John 2:13–25 In the gospel reading, Jesus revolted against the desecration of the temple. He drove out all those who were defiling the temple. He said to them, “My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den […]

Destruction and repentance  Genesis 9:8–15; Psalm 24; 1 Peter 3:18–22; Mark 1:12–15 Destruction and repentance are the two basic themes in our readings today. The first reading presents us with the covenant God entered into with Noah. The background to this covenant was the flood. The flood took place for two reasons: First, Gen. 6:2, […]

HOMILY FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AND THE 25TH PRIESTLY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY OF VERY REV. FR. DR. MATTHEW IHENSEKHIEN, VERY REV. FR. DR. JOSEPH OKOJIE, and VERY REV. FR. DR. VINCENT OJO, AT THE SEMINARY OF ALL SAINTS UHIELE EKPOMA (FEB 4TH 2024) 1. The healing ministry of Jesus: Today’s gospel presents us […]

Understanding the Healing Ministry of Jesus Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 9:16–19, 22–23; Mark 1:29–39 Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai The gospel of today presents us with the healing ministry of Jesus. The healing ministry of Jesus, as recorded in the synoptic gospels, shows Jesus’ commitment to restore the whole person to God and not […]

REPENTANCE AND DISCIPLINE Jonah 3:1–5.10; Ps. 25; 1 Corinthians 7:29–31; Mark 1:14–20 Repentance and discipleship form the central theme of today’s message. In today’s liturgy, we are called to repent and follow Jesus. The first reading speaks of the conversion of Nineveh through the instrumentality of Jonah. In the gospel, Jesus calls us to repent […]

Lessons from the Three Wise Men Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Today, the church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany means manifestation or showing forth. Basically, our Christian vocation is to reflect Jesus and his glory to the world. Today’s gospel tells us of three wise men […]

BRING FORTH CHRIST 2 Samuel 7:1–5.8b–12.14a.16; Ps. 89; Rom. 16:25–27; Luke 1:26-38 Nine months before Jesus was born, the angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary to announce the conception of the Son of God through the Holy Spirit. The gospel reading simply narrates the annunciation experience. This announcement was to prepare Mary to […]

Rejoice: Contentment and Hope Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; Psalm-Luke 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “rejoice” is the first word of today’s Entrance Antiphon curled from Philippians 4:4-5. “Rejoice in the Lord […]

PREPARATION TIME Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11; 64:1, 3b–8; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:8–14; Mark 1:1–8 Advent offers us the opportunity to celebrate the first coming of Christ and also to prepare for his second coming. His first coming was a very great event that God himself had to prepare. All the rituals and sacrifices of old […]

Be on your guard and stay awake Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1, 3b-8; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3–9; Mark 13:33–37 Today is the first Sunday of the New Liturgical Year (Year B). Happy New Liturgical Year to you all. May this new liturgical year enrich our faith with every grace and blessing! Amen. By this very fact, […]