Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - May 31, 2020. Homily for Pentecost Sunday

Homily of Pentecost Sunday of Year A, 2020

Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104:1, 29-34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

The Church was conceived when Jesus said to Peter, “You are the rock, upon you I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18). But the Church was born on Pentecost Sunday with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

Among the Jews in the Old Testament, the feast of Pentecost was when Jewish pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem from various parts of the world: Europe, Asia and Africa to celebrate the festival of thanksgiving for the first fruits of their harvest (Numbers 28:26). While the crowds were celebrating, the apostles hid themselves in a room and stayed in prayer. We recall that after the death of Jesus, the apostles locked themselves up in a room. Jesus rose from the dead and took them out of the locked room. Before his ascension, he told them to go and wait in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit. The apostles returned to Jerusalem, and again locked themselves up in a room. It took the power of the Holy Spirit to finally break the lock that held the apostles. From then on, the apostles were liberated from the fear of the Jews.

In some ways, too, we are locked up. May the Holy Spirit break the locks and grant us freedom. We pray that the Church will prevail and emerge reborn and renewed after the catastrophic impact of Covid 19. Amen.

We read in the first reading, “Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, ‘Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?’” One of the experiences of the apostles was that they spoke in different languages, in such a way that people from various parts of the world could understand them in their own language. In Genesis, God used language to disperse the builders of the Tower of Babel (Genesis: 11:1-9). During the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, God used language to unite all peoples. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to preach the message of Christ in different languages in all parts of the world.

The celebration of Pentecost Sunday is a prayer for our individual Pentecost experience. We are praying for the renewal or revival of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. Isaiah 11:2-3 names the following gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. I call these foundation gifts.

St. Paul names some other gifts which have been referred to as extraordinary or charismatic gifts: faith, healing, mighty deeds (miracles), prophecy, discernment of spirits, varieties of tongues (or languages), interpretation of tongues (or languages), apostleship (or discipleship), teaching, assistance, and administration (1 Corinthians 12:9-10, 28). These extraordinary or charismatic gifts are dependent on the foundation gifts named above.

The sign that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are effective and active are the lasting fruits they bear. St. Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 mentions some of the fruits as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

For many of us, it is true that the gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed on us are either inactive or minimally active. For this reason, St. Paul urges us, “I invite you to fan into flame the gift of God you received through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).

However, there are spiritual conditions that enable revival of the gifts and for us to experience personal or interior Pentecost. The first condition is as St. Paul urges us, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Ephesians 5:14). The second condition is as St. Paul, also, invites us, “Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

Through the unction of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to wake up and rise. May we be able to throw off the works of darkness. May we be freed from where we are locked in. May the light of Christ shine on us that we may fan into flame the gifts God has given to us. May the gifts bear lasting fruits. Amen.                    

Let us sing:

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.  Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, and use me.  Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

(The one who sings, prays twice. – St. Augustine of Hippo)

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - May 24, 2020. Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Easter - Ascension

Homily of Seventh Sunday of Easter Year A 2020 ●●● for places where Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on Thursday.

Acts 1:12-14; Psalm 27:1-8; 1 Peter 4:13-16; John 17:1-11

Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus instructed his apostles “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with Water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5). The apostles obeyed Jesus. As we read in the first reading, “When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying … and devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Jesus’ instruction to his apostles not to depart from Jerusalem meant that they were not to leave the city of Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. But for us, what does the instruction, “not to depart from Jerusalem” mean? It means that we do not veer off from our faith and depart from God’s presence. Because, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:16); and apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5).

The apostles went to the upper room and devoted themselves with one accord to prayer. For us, this statement means to wait for God in faith and in prayer. We have our churches, chapels, prayer gardens, retreat centers and so on that serve as our upper room. In addition to our Sunday and weekday Masses, and prayer meetings, we are encouraged to have time for private prayers, and time for recollections and retreats. Today’s Psalm advises us to seek to dwell in the house of the Lord, gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. It is, also, a wonderful idea to have a designated place or corner in our homes for prayer; where we can gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his goodness, and offer him our praises and petitions. The designated prayer place may have an altar. Bible, Rosary, Crucifix, statue of Mary and/or statues of other saints, sacred symbols, prayer books and prayer aids can be placed on the altar. A designated and disciplined time for prayer is very helpful too.

We will celebrate Pentecost next Sunday. Most parishes would be unable to organize parish Novena to the Holy Spirit due to Covid 19 Pandemic restrictions. We are, therefore, encouraged to privately prepare for our own fresh and interior Pentecost. Prayers to the Holy Spirit are highly recommended as we prepare.

Jesus pleads to God on our behalf in the Gospel:

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them… I have been glorified in them.”

In the above prayer, Jesus makes bold claims on our behalf. We are left to prove Jesus right or wrong.  Jesus claims:

“They belong to you.” Right or wrong?

“They have kept your word.” Right or wrong?

“They know that everything you gave me is from you.” Right or wrong?

“The words you gave to me I have given them, and they have accepted them.” Right or wrong?

“I have been glorified in them.” Right or wrong?

Through the graces of Pentecost celebration, may we be spiritually renewed, and may the prayer and words of Jesus be fulfilled in us so that our joy may be complete, for our salvation, and for God’s glory. Amen.

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - May 17, 2020. Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Homily of Sixth Sunday of Easter of Year A 2020

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Psalm 66:1-20; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21

In this sixth Sunday of Easter, the readings draw our attention to the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. In a way, the readings are beginning to prepare us for Pentecost Sunday which we will celebrate in two weeks’ time.

First reading: “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-17).

Second Reading: “For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).

Gospel: “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, the Spirit of truth…” (John 14:15-17).

The Sixth Sunday invites us to spiritual renewal, that is like Jesus Christ, to be put to death in the flesh and to be alive in the spirit. Then, our actions will be guided by the Spirit of truth. It is true that despite the various Sacraments we have received, the Holy Spirit is inactive in many of us.

In the first reading, Philip proclaimed the word of God in Samaria. “With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip … unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city.” We see that because the people with one accord, paid attention to God’s word proclaimed by Philip, demons were driven away, and many sick people were cured. In the same way, if we are of one accord and if we pay attention to God’s word we will have the same experience. Unclean spirits and spiritual paralyses will leave us and we will be delivered from many fears and anxieties that are crippling us. Are we of one accord? Do we pay attention to God’s word? Does his word guide us?

It is not so much that Philip was ‘a powerful man of God.’ It was more the spiritual disposition of the people. Sometimes, this saying is true, “Whatever is received is received according to the manner of the receiver.” Unfortunately, most times we are disunited, coupled with our lack of attention to God’s word. Disunity and neglect of God’s word render the Holy Spirit inactive in us. That is why St. Peter cautions us in the second reading, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.”

The Gospel has some consoling words for us. Jesus says, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you … because I live and you will live.” An orphan is a child whose parents are dead. Such a child is unprotected and vulnerable to danger. At this time, many of us are like orphans. Jesus is promising us that although we may be vulnerable to danger in this world, we are to believe in God and believe in him. The reward for our steadfastness is as Jesus promises, “I will give you an Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth.” The Holy Spirit is our spiritual attorney who leads us, guides us, directs us and intercedes for us. His only charges are, that we be of one accord, pay attention to God’s word, and sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts.

Jesus says, “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Jesus will reveal himself to us, as stated above, if we, of one accord, pay attention to God’s word, and sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. Jesus will reveal himself to us as the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). As the Way, he shows us the safe way; as the Truth, he guides us with his truth, and away from falsehood; and as the Life, he renews, refreshes, and protects our life.

We conclude with the blessed assurance in the Gospel, “Because I live and you will live.” The song by Gloria and William Gaither comes to mind:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth a living just because He lives

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP