Good News of the End-time!

Rev. Marcel Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, California

November 29, 2015

The season of Advent is a period of expectation. The word “Advent” means “Arrival” or “Coming.” The entire season is a period of expectation of the arrival or coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In the first reading, prophet Jeremiah (33:14-16) looks forward to the coming or arrival of honesty and integrity in the land. He looks forward in expectation to the days when the land will be safe and secured. In the second reading(1 Thess. 3:12—4:2), St. Paul looks forward in expectation when true believers will live blameless in holiness. In the Gospel taken from Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, Jesus looks to the future and speaks of a day when “the powers of heaven will be shaken.” Jeremiah, Paul and Jesus appear to be speaking about another world because the world they lived was as disordered as ours. Prophet Jeremiah preached when the Babylonian armies started the destruction of Jerusalem. St. Paul wrote when the first Christians were suffering tremendous persecution and a good number of them despaired. The words of today’s Gospel were Jesus’ last words before his passion. These three readings were addressed to a world as confused and chaotic as our world today. 

Our world is in turmoil. We are living in a very dangerous time. In my lifetime, I have never witnessed anything like this before. In the midst of today’s extreme suffering, chaos, terrorism, religious intolerance, hate and division, it is difficult to see how the visions, prophesies and amazing expectations of today’s readings will be realized. Extreme and violent terrorism is sweeping through the globe, destroying human lives and property. No one seems to be safe again. People are fearful. Resources that should have been used to combat extreme poverty are now being channelled to fight terrorists groups like Boko Haram, ISIL, Al Qaeda, Al Shabab etc. The name of the good, merciful and compassionate God is daily used to perpetrate heinous acts, thereby giving organized religion a very bad name and exposing every religious faith to ridicule and insult. No day passes-by without a breaking news of one mayhem or the other occurring somewhere in the world. As we grapple with these issues personally and collectively, and as our political and religious leaders wrestle specifically with acts of terrorism, the Church invites us to enter the season of Advent with hope and confidence in the Lord of justice. 

The season of Advent emphasizes the coming of the Prince of peace. In fact, he is already in our midst. Over 2000 years ago, he came to us as a human being. He is still present with us in the Word, in us and among us. At every Mass, he comes to us in the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-29). He also comes to us in grace. He speaks in our consciences; “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to dine with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20). Despite what is happening around us and around the world, let us not forget that God is still with us. The book of Psalm 46:7 tells us that “The Lord of host is with us, the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” Although, everything seems disordered and chaotic now, but at the end of time, God will tidy up what human beings have disordered. He will right the wrong and make right what has gone wrong. He will also mess up those who messed up his creation.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns his followers to “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and anxieties of daily life…” Put simply, Jesus is warning his disciples to be careful so that their hearts do not become sleepy as a result of excessive drinking, noisy partying, getting drunk and being bogged down by the material things of the world. We should not let the cares of this world shift our attention from what matters most. We should not allow the challenges of today deny us of the great glory to come. We are in this heavenly race to win it. Therefore, neither the anxieties of this world nor the threat of ISIL or Al Qaeda should shake our faith in God. As we live our normal life, Jesus encourages us to “Be vigilant at all times, and to pray…” 

Beloved in Christ, I have a good news to share. The good news is that in the end, Jesus will come to right the wrong. The good news is that evil will not win. Haters will not win. Those who strive to divide us will not win. ISIS or ISIL will not win. They will not win this fight. Every terrorist group out there will not win. Bad people will not win. Their evil deeds will catch up with them, and justice will again be just. I have a good news to share. The good news is that Jesus is coming to save us. Isaiah 35:4 tells us to “Say to those who are fearful, ‘be strong, do not be afraid’ for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” 

With faith, let us continue to look at the world with the eyes of God. If we look at it with our natural eyes alone, we would see nothing else but filth, ugliness, and confusion. But with the eyes of faith rooted in God, we would see that God is still here with us. He’s still in charge. In Hebrew 13:5, he made a promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” During this season of Advent, I urge each of us not to ignore or give up on the world we live in. Let’s not see the challenges, difficulties and anxieties we face as obstacles between us and God. With the lens of faith in Christ Jesus, let’s believe that the guiding hand of God is working through these disorders. With the help of God, we can enjoy the vision of Jeremiah, live the blameless life envisioned by Paul, escape the imminent tribulations prophesied by Jesus and stand, not just before the Son of Man but beside the Son of Man.

Brothers and sisters, the end-time good news I have to share is this: when all is said and done, God through our Savior and Brother Jesus Christ will come to save you, me and everyone who believed in his name and did his will. Therefore, do not grow weary of doing what is good. Do not succumb to fear. Do not give up faith, hope and charity and give in to fear, division and hate. Instead, “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Luke 21:28).

Homily on the Solemnity of Christ the King

Jesus: The King With A Difference

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Solemnity of Christ the King

Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

Sunday, November 22, 2015

As we come to the end of the Church’s Liturgical Calendar, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. We celebrate Jesus as the Shepherd of our souls and the King of our lives. Many of us may not be able to connect or relate with the idea or image of a King. Some of us may even resent or reject the idea or image of king or kingship because of the ugly stories we have heard or read about many kings of past centuries. Some kings were brutal. Some were repressive and authoritarian. Some were extremely wayward. Their insatiable appetite for women was impossible to satisfy. Some of them were deeply immoral, power-drunk, control-freak and blood-thirsty. The shedding of the blood of innocents was something they glory and boast about. But Jesus is not such a king. He’s not like any king that has ever existed or would exist. His kingship is different. It is rooted in simplicity, humility, compassion, love, selfless service and sacrifice. 

In today's Gospel taken from John 18:33b-37, political power represented by Pilate met spiritual power, represented by Jesus. Pilate was troubled and nervous about the true identity of Jesus. He was not sure who he was, so he asked him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Rather than answer yes or no to his question, Jesus turned his attention to another Kingdom not earthly, not made by human hands, not protected and made secured by a large number of armies and a stockpile of arsenal: “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”  Pilate may have been frustrated for not getting a direct answer from Jesus; but what Jesus told him was the truth. In fact, he did tell Pilate that the reason why he was born into the world was “to testify to the truth.” 

But why did Jesus refuse to answer a straightforward question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Why did he refuse to accept Pilate’s declaration, “Then you are a king?” My personal reflection gives me four probable answers: One, may be he did not want to be lumped together with earthly kings who were generally known to be deeply corrupt, morally bankrupt, brutally wicked, unbelievably greedy, unspeakably inconsiderate and mean, insatiably power-drunk, unreasonably feared for the wrong reasons. Jesus was not like any earthly king; even the best of them cannot be compared to him. He was someone that “People were amazed that he has done all things well” (Mark 7:37). Jesus was also anointed by Holy Spirit “And he went about doing good and healing all those who were under the power of the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38) Two, calling him the King of the Jews would geographically limit the length and breadth of his kingship. Jesus is not only the King of the Jews, he is also “the King of Kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16) including Pilate and the King of the whole world. Third, his kingship is of service not lordship in an authoritarian manner: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). His kingship is of love, not power; mercy, not punishment; compassion, not compulsion to flex power, might and authority; justice for all, not justice for some. Jesus’ kingship is of healing, not injury; making life better, meaningful and purposeful, not worsening it: “I have come that you may have life, life in abundance” (John 10:10). His kingship is about powerlessness, which is a new kind of power. It’s about winning our hearts, not overpowering it. Four, Jesus wants each of us, on our own, but with the grace he gives, to come to the knowledge and realization of his kingship as Pilate did: “Seek you first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33) 

Sisters and brothers, if the kingdom of the Lord is not of this world, the attitude of his disciples towards this world should be that of detachment, not attachment. This world, as we know it is passing away. Our earthly citizenship is not a permanent one. In fact, no one is a permanent resident of this world and no one has a permanent residence of this world. What each of us has is a visa that will expire at a certain date. When it expires, we depart. Our permanent residence is in the “Kingdom (which) does not belong to this world.” To qualify for it, we must daily follow Jesus who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Jesus is the Way to God and the Way to the Kingdom. He is the Truth, and he came to testify to the Truth. He is the Life. He is our life when earthly life is gone. Since the Lord’s Kingdom and our permanent residence does not belong to this world, we should loosen our firm grip of this world. Never kill or harm or hurt anyone because of worldly things. Do not love material things more than spiritual things. Strive daily to store and accumulate more treasures and assets in heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew 6:20, Jesus tells his followers, "Store up your treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” The destiny of a child in the womb is the earth; but the earth is not the final destiny. The final destiny is the Kingdom where Jesus’ reign as King will be fully realized.

What About Encouraging Someone To Become A Redemptorist?

Rev. Marcel Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Co-Redemptorist Preaching

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, CA

November 8, 2015

The US Civics questions has the following as one of the questions: “What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?” The answers given are: “vote, join a political party, help with a campaign, join a civic group, join a community group, give an elected official your opinion on an issue, call senators and representatives, publicly support or oppose an issue or policy, run for office and write to a newspaper.” This tells us that for an American citizen to be truly involved and active in our democracy (the government of the people, by the people, and for the people), he or she must do some or all the answers provided. There is no sitting on the fence. If you care about an issue, let your representative officials know about it. Call them. Write them. Write to a local newspaper. If your voice is not being heard, look for like-minded individuals, join or form a civic group. If there’s a politician who agrees with you and is running for office, join his or her campaign. And during election, go out and vote. Don’t stay at home and then complain. Some people are good at complaining and saying all that’s wrong with the country, but they will not do a thing to effect a change. They won’t vote. They forget that elections have consequences. Whoever wins will one way or the other make decisions that will affect everyone. Every political decisions and policies affect real people.  

Having said that, let’s turn our attention to something that is already affecting our Church. Let’s use the same mode of the question by asking: “What are the different ways that Catholics can participate in the life of the Church? How can they contribute to the growth, sustenance and survival of the Church? How can laypeople contribute to the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How can we support the Church in the area of increasing the number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life? How can St. Mary of Assumption Church support the work of the Redemptorist of Denver Province? Some of the answers include: praying for the Church, praying for priests and religious, especially Redemptorists, praying for increase in vocation in the Church, especially in the Redemptorist of Denver Province, supporting the church by contributing our time, talent and treasure, by attending Masses on Sunday regularly, joining one of the societies in the church (like St. Vincent de Paul, Charismatic Renewal, Catholic Daughters, St. Mary’s Place, etc. I doubt if there is any regular church-going catholic who will not give some of these answers if he or she were to ask the questions the preceded these answers. We already know that we can contribute and support our church by offering the gifts of three Tees: Time, Talent and Treasure. 

Sisters and brothers, what about offering one of your sons and daughters to God and to the Church? Parents with kids, have you ever asked any of them to consider the vocation to the priesthood and religious life? Have we ever encouraged these wonderful young persons in our church to think about the priesthood or religious life? There are so many wonderful young persons in this parish. I see them in church every Sunday. Most, if not all of them, may never consider becoming a Redemptorist priest or brother unless someone encourages them to think about it. We have a responsibility to talk to young people and encourage them to consider the Redemptorist vocation as one of their options. In case you have not heard, in case you don’t know, the Redemptorist Order, founded by the holy man, St. Alphonsus Liguori, is in search of vocations. We need young men to join us. No human community or organization can stay for a long period of time unless there are new borns. Today, some European countries are giving incentives to young women to have more kids. Why? Because their population is dwindling. Low birth rate and aging population have led to some frightening projections about the continue existence of some of these countries. The Catholic Church is not exempted from these negative projections too. If the current trend continues— more aging priests and religious and fewer vocations, then future Church leaders: Bishops and Religious Superiors, would have no other options than to close some churches or decrease their ministerial and pastoral involvements. As I speak, this is already happening. 

This weekend is dedicated to creating awareness to the Redemptorist vocation. My superiors want me to talk to you about the Redemptorist vocation. Redemptorists have served St. Mary of Assumption Church for a very long time. Yet, only a few vocations to the Redemptorists have come from here. And there has been none in most recent times. What’s going on? I know that some of you have been praying for us. A good number of you have supported and continue to support our missions here and abroad financially. Today, I’m urging you to continue to support us by praying for us, assisting our work financially and most especially, by encouraging your child and another child to consider becoming a Redemptorist. The girls are not left out too. We have a female group of nuns called the Redemptoristines. Those of you who have been supporting us all these years, we thank you so much. Your contributions have helped in my training, formation and studies in the Redemptorist Order. I am one of the fruits of your contribution. Thank you so much! May God bless you!

In today’s Gospel taken from Mark 12:38-44, Jesus observed how the people were putting money into the treasury. The event most likely happened in a Synagogue. As he watched, he noticed that many rich people were putting large sums into the treasury. But he also noticed a poor widow who put in two small coins that worth a few cents. And he considered her gift the greatest. You may ask, why? The answer is simple! Rich folks who gave large sums did so from the abundance of their wealth. If a multi-millionaire gives a donation of $1 million, he is still rich. He still has surplus to live on. What he has given is not going to bankrupt him. He’s still going to be a millionaire. But this poor widow, out of her penury, gave everything she had, her whole livelihood. If there’s a young man in your family, talk to him about becoming a Redemptorist. But if there’s none, consider praying for us! Consider picking one of the envelopes on the pews and making a donation to the Redemptorist of Denver Province. Don’t forget, I am one of the fruits of your past donations. Many more fruits can still be harvested by the contribution you make today. We know things are hard. You have bills to pay. You have other financial obligations to attend to. All we ask you today is your widow’s mite. No amount is too small! Thank you! God bless you!