Fr. Ken's Pastoral Care

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HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE (THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B. 21.11.2021.

- November 18, 2021

Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:5-8 and John 18:33-37. THE KINGSHIP OF THE SON OF MAN Today is Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, which marks the end of the liturgical year cycle B. In today’s celebration we adore and worship Christ our King, the Alpha and Omega of our lives, whose kingship is to establish equity, justice love and peace in contrast to earthly kingship. Originally, Pope Pius the XI established this solemnity in 1925 against the influence of secularism. And for pastoral reasons the Church in Nigeria combines it with the solemn procession of Corpus Christi, which ought to be celebrated Thursday or Sunday after Trinity Sunday in thanksgiving for the institution of the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. So, the title of this feast was “ Iesu Christi Regis ” (Jesus Christ the King). Later in history, Pope Paul VI in his “ Motu proprio Mysterii Paschalis ” of 1969, gave it a new title as: “ Iesu Christi Universorum Reg...

HOMILY FOR THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B. 14.11.2021

- November 11, 2021

Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14.18; Mark 13: 24-32. WE ARE PEOPLE OF HOPE It is commonly said, “ After the darkest of the night comes a new dawn. ” The night could be so long, but dawn is certain. Passing through the tunnel could be so rigorous, stressful and painful but at the end of it comes great joy. This is also comparable to the birth of a new life after a woman’s labour. Have you lost hope and you think things can no longer get better? We are people of hope and the liturgy of today brings us the hope of salvation and deliverance amidst the great troubles and sufferings we undergo on a daily basis. The first reading taken from the book of the prophet Daniel presents to us in an apocalyptic tone the time of trouble destined for Israel, the promise of deliverance and salvation of the righteous. It says, “ At that time shall arise Michael the great prince who has charge of your people. ” The Angel Michael is often associated with spirit...

HOMILY FOR THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B. 07.11.2021.

- November 02, 2021

Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28 and Mark 12:38-44. THE FEAR OF THE FUTURE The fear of the future has hindered and restricted so many Christians from the virtue of generosity in which the virtue of hospitality is embedded. This fear has lured so many to preserve and hoard their belongings to themselves alone. There is no way we can be generous if we continue with the fear of how to survive tomorrow by leaving God out of our plans. This is where our trust in Divine Providence comes in as seen in the liturgy of today. The first reading presents to us the encounter of the prophet Elijah with the widow of Zarephath. Truly, to some persons, the fear of the future has become the greatest enemy of generosity and prosperity. In this reading, Elijah tested her generosity and trust in divine providence. She was indeed an extremely poor widow that did not even have sticks to cook. She was gathering ‘firewood’ to prepare her last meal for herself...

HOMILY FOR THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B. 31.10.2021.

- October 29, 2021

Readings: Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Psalm 18; Hebrews 7:23-38 and Mark 12:28-34. THE CENTRALITY OF THE PRIESTHOOD: LOVE, UNITY AND SACRIFICE Today’s liturgy reminds us of the greatest theological virtue, which is love. All the laws and prophets has love as their foundation, and this is explicit in the readings. This virtue of love is better expressed from two dimensions: our relationship with God and with man (human). What defines our relationship with God is how we relate with our neighbour. Is our relationship with neighbour surrounded with hatred, bitterness, anger, violence and other forms of vices or is it with love, unity and sacrifice? If truly we love God and our neighbour, we will keep His commandments. The commandment of God was given to the Israelites through Moses as we have in the first reading account of today when he addressed the people, saying, “ Fear the Lord your God by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the d...

HOMILY FOR THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B (WORLD MISSION SUNDAY). 24.10.2021.

- October 22, 2021

Readings: Isaiah 56:1-6; Psalm 96; Roman 10:9-18 and Mark 16:15-20. FOR WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates World Mission Sunday, as was decreed by Pope Pius XI in 1926, for every Church/institution/parish. In the year 2019, we had the central theme: “ Baptized and sent, ” which was aimed at rekindling the missionary spirit in the life of the Church. Last year it was the question of the Lord, “ Whom shall I send? ” (Is 6:8) and for this year the theme of the mission Sunday is, “ For we cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard ” (Acts 4:20). Pope Francis emphasizes in his message released on January 29, 2021 that “ Once we experience the power of God’s love, and recognize his fatherly presence in our personal and community life, we cannot help but proclaim and share what we have seen and heard. ” This was the experience of the Disciples of Christ sent on mission as seen in the selected readings fo...

HOMILY FOR TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B. 17.10.2021.

- October 15, 2021

Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45. THE CULTURE OF SERVICE AND SACRIFICE A week ago, I was at the priestly ordination of my Oblates brothers and before the Mass, I was marveled at the commitment, service and sacrifice of some parishioners towards the success of this event. I had the feeling that this culture were gradually going into extinction among Christians, as some wants to be paid for every pin they pick up from the floor but the volunteers I saw on that day proved me wrong. This is what the liturgy of today awakens in us, the spirit of service and sacrifice as seen in the Gospel of today and as foretold through the prophet Isaiah in the first reading. The Gospel of today presents to us the request of James and John, the sons of Zebedee to sit at the right and left hand in the glory of Christ. The antecedent to this pericope in Mark is the announcement of the coming passion of Christ. He said, “ They were on their way to...

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