If I had One Wish

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

When I was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I had a dog named Max. I loved him so dearly. I provided for him, cared for him, protected him, and made sure he received medical care from a licensed veterinarian. As much as I loved Max, there was no way I would have agreed to become a dog even for a split second. No way! Because to become a dog means that I would sniff the ground, lick the floor and people’s feet, eat disgusting stuff from garbages. Don’t get me wrong. I did love my dog, but I wouldn't go as far as taking his nature in order to be one with him and show him how much I loved him. Guess what? That’s precisely what Jesus did for us. He became one with us and one of us. 

The central claim of Christianity is that God became a human being. The creator of the universe, who transcends any definition or concept, took to himself a nature like ours. God became one of us. Our Christian faith asserts boldly that the infinite and finite met, that the eternal and the temporal embraced each other, the fashion designer of everything— seen and unseen, known and unknown, big and small, the galaxies and planets became a baby too weak to even raise his head, too vulnerable even to protect himself. And to make this bold claim even bolder, this incarnation of God did not happen in Rome, Athens, or Babylon; not in a great cultural or political capital, but in Bethlehem of Judea, a tiny city in the corner of the Roman Empire. This great event that occurred in an insignificant place is what is being celebrated here and globally today. Today, we celebrate the entrance of the Lamb of God into the shrine (our neighborhood) to become the Lamb for the sacrifice. 

But why did he come? Why did God humble himself and allow himself in the process to be humiliated? The Lamb of God came to wash away our sin, to take away our sin and shame with his precious Blood. But more than that, he came to make us participants in God’s own life. The good news of Christmas is that Yahweh is moving among his people; the rightful King has returned to reclaim what is his and to let prisoners go free. The God announced by all the prophets and patriarchs—Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Isaiah has come. He is a God of justice and he has come to set things right. God hates the sin, violence, injustice and all manners of hate that have rendered the beautiful world he created depressive and gloomy. Although his arrival was quiet, silent and unknown by many, nevertheless, he has come as a warrior ready to fight. When we look at the manger, what we see is a helpless infant, born of insignificant parents in a tiny and unknown distant outpost of the Roman Empire. However, as we learned from the Scripture and Tradition, he did conquer through the irresistible power of his love, the same power with which he created the universe. Yahweh among us has come to gather people scattered by division, jealousy, and hate together, cleanse the temple which is our bodies, decisively  deal with our enemy, the evil one, and finally reign as the Lord of the our lives and the world.  

Sisters and brothers, if I had one wish as we celebrate Christmas, it would be that we all live in peace and harmony as brothers and sisters. That is what Jesus teaches us in John 13:34, “Love one another as I have loved you.” If I had one wish, it would be a total eradication of all rivalries, divisions, hate, racial bias and resentment because they prevent us from participating in the divine life. Jesus came to reconcile us with God and with each other. He came that we may have life, life in abundance (Jn10:10b). If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that all lives be respected and protected from the womb to the tomb. It is what Mary and Joseph have taught us by their example. When the life of the infant baby Jesus was threatened by King Herod, they took him and ran to Egypt. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that we begin to appeal to our better angels, elevate them, and bring out the best in each other. That’s exactly what Jesus did to the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8:1-11. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be to end untold suffering and hunger in Africa, Middle East and everywhere. Jesus was interested in ending hunger when he multiplied five loaves of bread and two wish and fed a multitude (Matt.14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-15). God through Jesus came to bring us healing. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be that you and I are happy, healthy, peaceful and saved. My one Christmas wish is that the newborn King will reign in our hearts and in the hearts of all. 

Merry Christmas!  

Do it Afraid Anyway!

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, MN

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Beloved in Christ, today is the Fourth and last Sunday of Advent. In today’s Gospel (Mt. 1:18-24), Matthew begins the story of Jesus’ birth by telling of Mary’s betrothal to Joseph. It is important to point out that the Jewish custom of betrothal is not the same as today’s understanding of betrothal or engagement. In the marriage customs at that time, Mary and Joseph had only completed the first stage of marriage, and were considered husband and wife, although not yet living together. Often due to the youthfulness of the woman, she will remain with her parents at home until the public ceremony took place. As someone from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria, I can relate to this marriage custom. Marriage in my tribe has similar structure. The first stage is the inquiry stage. Here the man visits the girl’s parents and community, and asks for her hand in marriage, from her parents, as well as her community. Even if the woman and the man had previously agreed to get married, the man must visit the woman’s family and formally ask her parents, as well as her kindred, to allow him to marry their daughter. It is not enough for the woman to inform her parents about her intention to marry her sweetheart. Marriage is a communal thing in Igboland, and in indeed in many African communities. After the first stage, it is generally believed that they are married, but the woman will not move in to live with the man until the traditional marriage (public ceremony), which is the second stage is done and completed. So, the marriage rites among the Igbos of Nigeria are very similar to that of the Ancient Jews. 

Now, Joseph had only performed the first stage of the marriage rite when he discovered that Mary was pregnant but not by him. As an upright man, a man who loved God and respected women, he decided to take the quietest and most merciful path— to divorce her quietly. Why quietly? According to the law, Mary was guilty of adultery and was therefore subject to stoning. So, Joseph did not want to make a public ridicule of Mary. He did not want to expose her to shame, disgrace and by law, death by stoning. However, before he could carry out his plan, God intervened and saved the situation. Through an angel, God said to Joseph, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Upon waking up, he did as the angel had asked him to do. He completely obeyed! He put aside his own plan and made God’s plan his own plan. Although the child wasn’t Joseph’s biological son, God still asked Joseph to be the one to name him. By doing so, Joseph accepted the baby Jesus as his legal offspring. 

Friends, we are blessed, delivered and redeemed primarily because of God’s love and compassion. God is the initiator of the plan to save humanity. God started it all, but God also needed human instruments to bring about his plan. When God approached Mary, she allowed God’s love to become enfleshed for the transformation of the world. When God reached out to Joseph, he forfeited his own plan, made God’s plan his only plan, and became the human father of Jesus. Because Jospeh and Mary cooperated with God, a new era of grace upon grace, deliverance and salvation was born. Because Jospeh acted according to God’s plan, the Blessed Mother Mary gave birth to Jesus— God is our salvation. Because Joseph didn’t allow his fears to prevent him from accepting God’s will and plan for him, Mary gave birth to Emmanuel— God with us.

What is God asking us to do that we are afraid of doing? Are you afraid of losing something (freedom) or someone ( a friend) if you accept the metanoia message? Do you think life won’t be fun anymore if you surrender totally to Jesus and become a firebrand instrument of his? Are you afraid of losing power, wealth, pleasure and honor if you start living the good news life? By the way, power, wealth, pleasure and honor, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, are people’s substitutes for God. None or a combination of them can truly satisfy us. It was the great St. Augustine who once said, “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Everybody in the world is wired for God. Why? Because no matter how much truth science delivers to us, we are hungry for more. No matter how much truth philosophy opens us to, we are still unsatisfied. No matter how much good we achieve doing acts of love and justice, we are still not at rest. No matter how much beauty we experience, how much power we have, how much wealth we acquire, the extreme pleasure we enjoy, and how much we are highly honored, we still have a sense of emptiness. We want more. I am here to tell us that the more that your heart truly seeks is God. If God is asking you to do something you are afraid of doing, I urge you to do it afraid anyway. Mary and Joseph may have surrendered to God’s will unsure and fearful of the outcome, but still  yielded to God’s way. Their YES is part of the reason we are here today. Your own Yes can unlock the gate of heaven for someone else as well.  

Become the One we are Waiting For!

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year A

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, MN

Sunday, December 15, 2019

John the Baptist began his ministry by urging people to prepare for the arrival of God’s final rule, which he described as “the coming wrath.” With the message, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” John called for a radical change of heart, mind, attitude, and lifestyle. He challenged the people to prepare for this emerging kingdom. He also created awareness that he himself was not the expected Messiah, rather, his forerunner. Now, John’s message has got him into trouble. He was in prison over his refusal to sanction the marriage of King Herod Antipas to Herodias, the wife of his own brother. In prison, John heard about the activities of Jesus throughout Galilee. He had earlier described the one coming after him in graphic imagery: “His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor  and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Mt. 3:12). His expectation of the coming one as a strict and stringent judge did not tally with what he was hearing about Jesus. While John emphasized divine wrath and judgement with unquenchable fire, Jesus’ ministry was an outpouring of grace, mercy and healing. While the tone of John’s message was harsh, that of Jesus was more friendly and lenient. This obvious difference made John to send his disciples to Jesus with this question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 

Without giving John’s disciples a yes or a no answer, Jesus referred to the Old Testament Scriptures— prophecies from Isaiah to be precise— that predicted the future salvation as a time of mercy, healing, wholeness, recreation and renewal of all things: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them.” Jesus was simply pointing to John that the prophecy of the prophets especially the one we read today in Isaiah is being fulfilled: “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense, he comes to save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be cleared. Then will the lame leap like a stag, and then the tongue of the mute will sing” (Isaiah 35:4-6). Jesus did not say yes or no, he let his actions speak for themselves. He also advised that no one should take offense at his ministerial activity. 

Despite his mild rebuke of John, Jesus taught his audience of John’s important role in the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation: “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind…someone dressed in fine clothing…a prophet?” To Jesus, John the Baptist was more than a prophet. He was a messenger of God sent to announce the arrival of the Messiah. 

Dearest beloved, Jesus has fulfilled the Messianic prophecies. He has left the remaining task to us. We are his hands, voice, and body. He has called us to be his love and mercy today. But are we? When others encounter us, will they see Jesus in us  or are they going to still be looking for him? A good Christian is a Bible. A good Christian is Jesus to others. A good Christian is the one the world is waiting for. He makes others want to believe in him. She makes belief in God meaningful and relevant. Let’s always strive to become the good we seek, the love we seek, the peace we seek, the common good we seek, the respect we seek, the dignity we seek, the peace we seek, the generosity we seek, the healing we seek, the mercy we seek, and the justice we seek

Time To Clean Up The Closet 

Rev. Marcel E. Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A

St. Alphonsus Catholic Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Before the emergence of John the Baptist, the desert preacher and prophet, the Jews had gone for four hundred years without a prophet. As a result of that people began to complain about the seeming silence of God. They wondered why the voice of God do not sound anymore. As this line of thinking was becoming prevalent among the people, John the Baptist appeared appeared with an earth shaking message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 

John was a fearless preacher who denounced evil deeds wherever he saw them. When Herod entered into illicit and unlawful marriage with his brother’s wife, Herodias, John rebuked him and reminded him that the Jewish Law did not permit such a behavior. When he saw that the Sadducees and Pharisees, the religious leaders of his day were stuck in the letters of the law and paid no attention to the spirit of the law, he berated their hypocrisy. When he saw that the ordinary folks of his time were living lives that were not consistent with the professed faith, he called them out. Wherever he saw anything bad- in the state, in the Temple, on the street, in the marketplace, John fearlessly spoke out. His emergence became a light that lit up dark places. As he preached his strange clothing, nasty diet, and challenging message rather than turn people away, attracted them in large numbers to him. Why? Because his voice was considered as the voice of uprightness, holiness, and the voice of God.

Now, John the Baptist was not a prophet of doom. His message wasn’t only about denunciation and repudiation of evil, he also challenged the people to become what they ought to be and what they could be. He forcefully called them to repentance (metanoia)— to have a change of thinking, attitude, behavior and relationships. His call to repent is a call for us to become the best version of ourselves, that is, to move away from where we are right now that is not serving our relationship with God and others well enough. It is an invitation to shred our old selves—which is self-centered, move intentionally closer to God and to those around us. This call is a call to become more like Christ Jesus, the reason we are here today. Metanoia or repentance invites us to enter the closet or the garage of our lives, and clean up all the junks that have taken up the space meant for God and our brothers and sisters. It is an invitation to declutter. 

Just as John warned his first listeners that claiming Abraham as their father is not enough, we are also warned that being called Christians isn’t going to be enough. We must produce good fruit as evidence of who we are. The fruit we bear must be harvested from the garden of the Lord. Jesus is not looking for fans, but disciples. Fans only admire him but may not follow him or listen to him. Fans may cheer him but may not produce the kind of fruit that pleases him. 

The call to repentance is something we have heard time and again. But have we ever done anything about it? Have we ever taken the time to consider if there are things in our lives that we need to get rid of? John prophesied that the nearness of God’s kingdom requires appropriate action- repent, be converted, have a change of heart and mind, and be born again.  What do I mean by born again? When you stop following your own will, rather live according to the will of God, you are born again. When nothing matters to you more than God, you are born again. If at the very center of your life you are linked to God, you are born again. If you are rooted in God in such a manner that your heart longs for him daily, you are born again. When you resolve to leave sin behind and allow yourself to be led by the Spirit of God, you are born again. If you have spent years living selfishly but now wants to live for God and others, you are born again. If you kept a long list of folks who offended you that you are not willing to forgave but eventually allowed the grace of God to open you up to forgive and receive forgiveness, you are born again. If your god is fame, pleasure, wealth and control, but eventually found and fell in love with the true and living God, you are born again. When your heart is healed of bitterness, anger, jealousy, hatred, you are born again. You are born again when you focus less on avoidance of sin and focus more on doing something good, being lovely and lovable, being hospitable, being kind, being compassionate, being merciful, being generous, being inclusive, being tolerant, being gentle, being humble, being truthful, being sacrificial, being understandable, being less difficult, being holy and above all, being Christ. 

Stay Awake in the Spirit

Rev. Marcel E. Okwara, CSsR

Homily for First Sunday of Advent, Year A

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Sisters and brothers, today, we begin the season of Advent. Advent is the beginning of the Church’s liturgical Calendar. The word “Advent” means “arrival” or “coming.” It indicates the arrival or the coming of the Lord and reminds us that Jesus Christ, our Brother in our humanity, and our God in his divinity is coming. Today’s Gospel highlights the Parousia, that is,  the second coming of Christ, an end-time event when God will manifest ultimate salvific power. Although the season of Advent is about preparation—getting prepared to celebrate the birth of Christ, but it is also for his second coming as well. Advent has two arrows— one points to Christ’s first arrival, and the other points to his second coming. One points to the past which is connected to the future when Christ will come again. As we prepare to celebrate his first coming, which has happened already, we are being reminded not to forget his ongoing and imminent coming. So, in a nutshell, Advent connects the past and the future together, and reminds us never to forget any. As we already know, his first coming was mostly hidden, but at his second, all eyes will behold him as he comes. At his first coming, he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger; however at his second coming, he will be clothed with inaccessible light. In his first coming, he endured mockery and eventually ended up on the cross, but at his second coming, he will come in glory accompanied by legions of angels. At his first coming, he was judged unjustly by wicked people, but at his second, he will judge justly the deeds of all. During his judgment, he was largely silent; but at his second, he will speak up and say to some, “…whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,” (Matt. 25:40) and to others, “…what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me” (Matt. 45). His first coming was to declare God’s profound love for humanity: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn. 3.:16). His second coming will be about separating the sheep from the goats, rewarding those who accepted God’s love and rebuking those who didn’t. It will be the time to clear the threshing floor, gather the wheat into his barn, and to burn the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. 3:12). 

The Parousia (second coming) of the Son of Man is certain, although when it will happen is unknown. It is due to its unknowability that Jesus charged his disciples back then and now to not be carried away by the affairs of this world. It is because we do not know when it will happen that we are counseled to always be prepared and be vigilant. To drive home his message, Jesus compared his second coming to the visit of a thief. We all know that thieves do not usually send a notice of visit to their targets. After preparing for the raid, they simply invade their target and cart-away whatever is valuable to them. But if the owner of the house is aware of their visit, he surely would prepare to match them strength for strength. He would not sit idly by and watch them invade his house and take away his treasures. In the same manner, the Lord’s Second Coming will happen at an hour we do not expect. But unlike the thief, Jesus is not coming to steal any material treasures, he’s coming to take his own to their  true home. Like the thief, he will come unannounced, and only those who are awake in faith, hope and charity will go with him. That’s why today’s Gospel and the entire season of Advent invite us to stay awake, to pay attention, to be present to the ways in which God is coming into our life and the ways we come to God. We are being encouraged to wake up from the sleep of the soul. The sleep of the soul is the neglect of God and God’s matters. The sleep of the soul is the neglect of one’s state of life; it is the neglect of virtues. It is the neglect of religious and spiritual duties like coming to Church on Sunday and being church outside the Church. Some people come to church always, but always leave the church unchanged. As we begin the season of Advent, let’s pray and strive to stay awake in what really matters to God and our neighbor. 

Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Even on the Cross Jesus is Indeed a King

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

St. Thomas the Apostles Catholic Church, Hamel, Minnesota

November 23 & 24, 2019

Today’s Gospel highlights the type of people that Jesus’ executioners were; the stuff they were made. It also announces once afresh who Jesus was. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus acts in the person of God. The Gospel tells us that in their cold-heartedness, the rulers mocked Jesus and said “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” In their ruthlessness, the soldiers ridiculed him and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” Even one of the criminals reviled him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” Of course, they were reacting to what was inscribed above the cross of Jesus: “This is the King of the Jews.” That Jesus was regarded as the king of the Jews was profoundly offensive to the Jews. Why? Because they believed that the King— the Christ or Messiah would be greater than David. He was not supposed to be crucified. The Jews knew the words of the scripture which said that “God’s curse is on anyone who hangs on a tree” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Since Jesus has been cursed and crucified, he cannot be the king. He cannot be the Christ. For many of them, Jesus was an impostor.

But in the midst of widespread ignorance and rejection of Jesus, there was one person who acknowledged what everyone else denied and refused to acknowledge—“this man has done nothing criminal.” He also knew the right identity of Jesus. Surprisingly this person was not one of the scholars of the law; not one of the rulers, not one of the Pharisees, not one of the Scribes. The person was one of the criminals crucified along Jesus. The other criminal treated Jesus with contempt, his partner in crime admitted his guilt and immediately declared that Jesus was totally innocent. Then he requested from Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Asking that Jesus remember him in his Kingdom is a recognition of the fact that Jesus is a King. But it even goes deeper than that. By his request, he explicitly acknowledged that even on the cross Jesus is still a King. To confirm that he is indeed a King, Jesus responded to the man’s plea exactly as a king would to his subject: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with in Paradise.”   

Sisters and brothers, today’s Gospel (Luke 23:35-43) affirms strongly that Jesus is indeed the King of the universe. Even on the cross, he remains the most authentic King who has power to forgive sins and reward even a criminal with eternal life in heaven. It also teaches us that it is never too late to turn to the Lord. Some things may be too late to get done. It’s too late for me now to be a football star or a world class soccer player. It may be too late for some of us to have another child. It may be too late for some of us to go back to school. It may be too late for some of us now to attempt to climb Mount Everest or any other mountain out there. But when it comes to turning to Jesus Christ, we can never say that it is too late. So long as someone’s heart beats, the invitation to turn to the Lord still stands. As we always say, “When there is life, there is hope.”  

This story also challenges us not to be intimidated especially if we are the lone voice of righteousness. As more and more people turn away from God, we must strive to remain the lone voice of God in our community. As more and more people deny the Kingship of Jesus, we must be the lone voice shouting in words and deeds that Jesus Christ is the Lord and King. As more and more Christians become cold and lukewarm in the practice of their faith, our faith must speak up and dispel the darkness around us. As more and more Catholics pick and choose what aspect of our faith they want to believe and practice, be the voice of truth. To be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is to be servants of truth- truth that liberates and renews, truth that gives and sustains life and hope, truth that transcends rationalizations, half-truths and delusions. To be his disciples, we must become servants of all he taught and did. 

Perseverance Wins the Race

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Jesus was standing in one of the courtyards of the Temple watching people as they come and go. Then he overheard some people marveling at the beauty of the Temple. They were not talking to God; they were talking to themselves about the costly stones and votive offering in the Temple. They were not praising God; they were praising the Temple. They were not glorifying God; they were glorifying the Temple. They did not marvel at God’s beauty and majesty, but that of the Temple. Jesus released the bombshell— “All that you see here, the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Jesus’ listeners must have been infuriated, but he was right. In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the Temple, and leveled the city of Jerusalem.

Speaking further, Jesus said: “Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” To those who believe in him, he said, “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Once again, these prophecies came to pass like his prophesy of the destruction of the Temple. So many early Christians were persecuted, tortured, and killed by some Roman emperors. Emperor Nero, for instance, destroyed the lives of so many Christians. He was so ruthless to Christians that the Christian writer, Tertullian accused him of the being the first to persecute the Christians. Peter and Paul, like many other disciples of Jesus were killed. But in all these tribulations, the early Christians did not give up. They believed in the promise of Jesus to be with them until the end of time. 

Everything that Jesus said in today’s gospel (Luke 21:5-19) has come to pass, and some of them are still happening today. We still witness wars; nation still rise up against nation; hunger and famine still devastate life; earthquakes, wild fire, hurricane, typhoon etc. still happen. But in the face of these calamities, Jesus counsels “Do not be terrified” (Luke 21:9). Do not be afraid means do not surrender to life’s misfortune. It means do not quit when it gets difficult, rough and tough. Why? Because “By your perseverance you will secure your lives” so said Jesus. Those who quit the race do not win. Quitters do not get to the finish line. They lack the perseverance to endure till morning. They give up before sunrise. The Bible says “There may be mourning in the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Those who do not persevere cannot see the joy of a new day.

Friends, Jesus never promised us a crossless life. He never promised a rosy life without thorns. As a matter of fact, opting to follow him could expose us to ridicule and persecution. But if we remain steadfast and faithful till the very end, even when it is very difficult to do so, we will be saved. If we continue to be his arm in the world, even when it is not encouraging to do so, we will be saved. If we continue to be the voice of the Lord in the world, speaking truth, peace and justice, even when we are not being appreciated, we will be saved. No one likes misfortune. I do not like it either. I want my life to be free from all problems and troubles. Incidentally, such a path is not the path that leads to life. If there is no cross, there is no crown. If you have golden jewelries, think of the painful process a piece of gold goes through before it is finally purified. That’s the life of a Christian. All the troubles we experience in our lifetime are our passing through purification. Like gold, we must be heated before we become the shinning piece of God’s ornaments. If we persevere, we will be saved. But if we quit, we will quit our place in heaven.

This Age And The Coming Age

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

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

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

Sunday, November 10, 2019

After undergoing an extensive journey with this disciples, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, where he was immediately confronted and opposed by the chief priests, scribes, and the leaders of the people. They attempted to set him up by posing questions that challenge his authority. Their ultimate goal was to entrap him so as to find reasons to put him to death. Today’s Gospel tells us that one of the opposing groups, the Sadducees, came forward and asked him a question designed to humiliate him. Addressing Jesus as a “teacher”, they said, “Moses wrote us, if someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.” Continuing with their story, they narrated a story of seven brothers, who, at some point of their earthly lives got married to the same woman, but one after another, they all died without raising any child with the woman. Eventually the woman also died. “At the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?” they asked (Luke 20:27-38). It is important to note here that the Sadducees were an extreme conservative sect among the Jews who did not believe in the resurrection, in spirits and angels. The question they posed to Jesus was meant to prove that there is no resurrection. They were not interested in understanding the theology of the resurrection; all they wanted to do was to make a mockery of the belief in the resurrection. They wanted Jesus to make a fool of himself. They did not ask to know, rather to ridicule the most fundamental of Jesus’ teaching. Everything that Jesus taught and did rest on resurrection. In John 11:25, Jesus says of himself, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even if they die, they will live.” If resurrection were not true, then it means that Jesus is not true. If resurrection were a lie, it means that Jesus is a lie. If resurrection were fake, it means that Jesus is fake. If there were no resurrection, it means that Jesus lied to us. If there were no resurrection, then it means that Jesus went into extinction after his death. This is what the Sadducees wanted to demonstrate. They wanted to dismantle the cornerstone of the Christian Faith. 

But guess what? They chose the wrong person because Jesus showed them that he is indeed Immanuel—God who is with us— who has an unquestionable knowledge of life, death, and resurrection. He used the opportunity to set the Sadducees straight by making a distinction between “this age” and “the coming age.” In this age he said, men and women will marry and remarry; but in the coming age, those found worthy by God to experience the Resurrection of the dead will no longer marry, nor be given in marriage. In this age, men and women will die, but in the coming age, death will no longer have power over them. They will be like angels, heavenly beings of which the Sadducees did not believe exist. In this age, men and women are citizens of one country or another; but in the coming age, they will be solely citizens of heaven, solely and totally children of God. In this age, men and women have human identity; but in the coming age, they will have the abiding identity of God’s own children.  In this age, life is often interrupted by wars, economic, political and social crisis or by natural disasters, but in the coming age, joy is stable; peace is uninterrupted. In this age, we live with so many lacks, but the coming age offers us abundant life, life in its fullness. In this age, we are so divided along religious, political, and racial lines, but in the coming age, we will all be united as God’s children. In this age, the world is divided into two rooms— the haves and the haves not. But in the coming age, there is only one room and all those in it are simply winners and over-comers. In this age, we work to make a living, but the coming age will bring everlasting rest, eternal youthfulness, where no one will work for money or fame. One thing I love about the coming age is that it is a place where human power and failure are equalized forever.  

This age is no where close to the coming age. This age is transient; it is passing away. But the coming age is stable and permanent. The Resurrection is nothing like the life we live here on earth. In this age, life is a struggle; at the coming age, life is fulfilled and better. In this age, we experience pain all through life, but in the coming age, there will be no pain, no suffering. In this age, we need several things to live a true human life and to survive, but in the coming age, we will live, move and have our being in God alone. In this age, there is a need to enter into marriage to preserve our human species from dying out, but in the coming age, none of that would matter because death will be eliminated. In heaven, we will be like angels. Anyone who wants to be part of this coming age should do the following: love God wholeheartedly, and love others intentionally.  

God Responds Quickly To Any Sign Of Faith

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center

Sunday 3, November 2019

The story of Zacchaeus teaches us how quickly God responds to any sign of faith. Zacchaeus’ climbing of the sycamore tree wasn’t out of curiosity. It wasn’t a passing glance or a passing interest to see Jesus. He really wanted to see Jesus. He had a deep hunger to encounter the Lord of second chance. Although he was despised by many for working for the Roman Empire as a tax collector, he was determined to see Jesus. It’s possible he had been looking for an opportunity to turn a new leaf. Of course, his people won’t believe him and won’t even provide such an opportunity. So, when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he seized the moment. 

Zacchaeus was a wealthy man. But praise God he realized that his wealth was ill-gotten. Praise God he realized that filthy wealth cannot buy salvation. Praise God he discovered that although he had plenty of material riches, he was lacking in what really matters to God. Praise God that he had the humility to set aside his honor, pride and whatever else he thought of himself, and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see the poor Carpenter from Nazareth. Praise God that Zacchaeus knew it worths nothing to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul. Praise God he did not allow any obstacle— the crowd, his short stature, ego, etc. to become his stumbling block. He desperately wanted to see Jesus, but even before he expressed his intention, Jesus reached out to him: “Zacchaeus, hurry down. I mean to stay at your house today.” 

Sisters and brothers, God responds to us more readily when we show the least interest in him. He doesn’t play hard to get; he is not reluctant to accept us. When we seek him, he responds, because love is all that God is. God’s DNA is love. 

Check this out! After Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, what’s the next word he uttered? It is “hurry.” The word “hurry” means “don’t wait,” “don’t hesitate.” So to all of us, the good Lord is simply saying, “Seize the moment of conversion and salvation now.” 

God bless you!

We Are Not Better Than Those Who Have Passed

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Commemoration of All Souls

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 

Sunday, November 2, 2019

Today, we remember the souls of all the faithful departed. We remember our dads, moms, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends, and colleagues who have gone before us with faith, hope, and trust in the promise of eternal life. Why do we remember them specially today? We do so because they are part of our lives, are dear to us; and we miss them. But most importantly, our remembrance of them today is rooted in the age-long Catholic ecclesiology and tradition which avers that there are three states of the Church— the Church Militant, the Church Suffering or Penitent, and the Church Triumphant. The Church Militant consists of all Christians on earth— you and I who still struggle against sin, the devil, and darkness of this world. The Church Suffering consists of those Christians currently in Purgatory. The Book of Revelation 21:27 tells us that nothing unclean will enter the city of God— heaven. Therefore, the Church suffering are those Christians who were not totally unblemished at their passing away from this life. They are going through a process of purification. The Church Triumphant are those who have seen and experienced the beatific vision and are in heaven. They have made it, and have taken their seats at the table of the Lamb. 

The solemnity of all the Saints which we celebrated yesterday, and the commemoration of All Souls, which we are celebrating today highlights one important thing— that there is communion and fellowship between the living and the departed. If our loved ones are in the company of the saints in heaven, they pray for us, and we ask for their help and intercession. If they are in purgatory, we pray for them, for their purification, for God’s mercy and for their release. 

But sisters and brothers, I do not want you to celebrate today in fear or in sorrow. I do not want anyone in wonderland wondering if our moms, dads, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends, uncles, etc made it to heaven. Do not let today be a sorrowful day for you. You can relive the times and moments you had with your loved ones. You may even cry if that’s the prevailing emotion. However, do not let this day be a day of sorrow or sadness. I hope you can make a distinction between a momentary show of emotion like crying and being in a state of sadness or sorrow. The reasons why I am urging against sadness or sorrow is traceable to all the readings today. In the first reading taken from the Book of Wisdom, we are told that “the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” In the eye of the foolish, they seemed to be dead, their passing away thought as an affliction, and their departure from this world considered as destruction. But the Book of Wisdom assures us that “they are in peace.” Now, what actually gives us the hope and confidence that our departed relatives are in the hand of God and in peace? The second reading taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (5:5-11) declares that God proves and demonstrates his love for us “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” By the shedding of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled to God, justified, saved, blessed and delivered. So, instead of being fearful or anxious, let us celebrate God’s love and mercy and also boasts of the reconciliation we have received from him through his Son, Jesus. 

Are you still unconvinced? Listen to the best part! In today’s Gospel from John 6:37-40 Jesus says, “Everything, (which means every person) that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the One who sent me.” Although we consider them dead, but our departed relatives did not actually die; they only returned to Jesus and to our Creator. They only changed location. If they believed and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior while on earth, they will find in him a merciful Judge. 

Obviously the death of a beloved one brings some sadness and grief to us, however, we should not be sad for them. Do not think that we are better than those who have passed. Surely we miss them. We wish they are still here with us. Since my mom passed away in 2014, I have never stopped wishing she is still around, that I can still call her on telephone and visit her in Nigeria. But one thing I have never done is to consider myself luckier than her. And you should not consider yourself luckier or better than those who have passed away. Do you know why? Because you and I must plod on this dark, sinful, and hurtful world; but not our departed loved ones. We will endure sickness and pain, abuse and shame, disappointment and hatred, but not for them. We will grow weary and even come close to despair; we will be maligned and dismissed; we will be treated unjustly and arrogantly; our leaders will hurt us and lie to us, but not for them. Therefore,  do not be sad for them. Do not weep for them. We are still poor; they are rich. We are fearful; they are secured. We still suffer; they are healed everlastingly. Our souls are still yearning and longing for God, they are already with God. We still hope and pray; they are already enjoying full friendship with God. We still strive, they are already fulfilled. We aspire for perfection; they are perfect already. We still visit the doctor for medical treatment; they are finally free from all kinds of sickness. While we strive not to lose, they have gained everything. 

Who Is Accepted By God?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Sunday, October 27, 2019

For regular churchgoers, whenever you hear the word “Pharisee” you probably have a negative impression of the Pharisees. We think of them as the bad guys who opposed and crucified Jesus. But in Jesus’ time, the Pharisees were the good guys. They were the Jewish religious leaders respected by many. They were the leaders of the society. They were the ones that people followed and listened to. In the minds of Jesus’ listeners, the Pharisees were good. On the other hand, tax collectors were considered bad by all and sundry. Why? After the Roman empire conquered Israel, the people of Israel were mandated to pay taxes to Rome. To ensure that taxes were collected, the Roman government hired local people— Jews, to collect taxes. So, tax collectors were Jewish men who were in charge of collecting taxes from the Jews and sending them to the Romans who were oppressing the Jews. Now, tax collectors did not only collect the required amount, but also collected more for themselves as well. Of course, they had the Roman soldiers that protected them as they exploited their own people. After remitting the required amount to the Roman government, the surplus was divided among themselves (tax collectors and soldiers). This made most of the tax collectors rich and corrupt. Unfortunately for them, everyone in the community knew about their corruption and wickedness. Fellow Jews hated and despised them because they were working for their oppressors—the Romans, and also enriching themselves from it. 

In today’s Gospel (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus told a story that will shock “those who were convinced of their own righteousness,” who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and then looked down on others with contempt. The story is about two men who went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee (seen by many as good), and the other, a tax collector (seen by many as bad). After taking his position, the pharisee prayed, “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity— greedy, dishonest, adulterous— or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.” Meanwhile, the tax collector standing from a distance and refusing to look up to heaven beat his chest and prayed, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Concluding his story, Jesus said that it was the tax collector who went home justified and not the pharisee. “For  whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

When the Pharisee got into the temple, did he pray to God? No! Jesus said he spoke the prayer to himself and not to God. There are many things he could have prayed about. He could choose to pray for wisdom or for the grace to be holy and to honor God. He could have confessed his sins. He started his prayer well “O God, I thank you…” but then ruined it when he declared himself better than the rest of humanity and most especially the tax collector. In essence, he is saying that he is morally good, not like other evil people. Not corrupt. Don’t take money from other people. Not an adulterer. That he is sexually pure. That he is not a bad man, but a good person. He is simply saying, “Thank you God for I am so good, not like that sinful tax collector over there. I fast and pay tithes on all my income.” 

Sisters and brothers, fasting is good. Paying tithes is equally good. The Pharisee is the kind of man that every pastor will like to have as a church member. He is a moral man. He keeps all the church’s laws. Fulfills all the holy days of obligation and gives 10 percent of all his income as tithes. He has the right relationship with the opposite sex. He is not corrupt. He is respected by all. He is a good church folk. But here is the problem with his prayer. It is all about himself, and not about God. The focus of his prayer is who he is and what he’s done. It has nothing to do with what God has done for him or who God is. He is a proud and arrogant man. The center of the world is him, not God. Although he mentions God in his prayer, but it is not about God, but himself. He has one audience— himself. 

What about the tax collector? No one likes the tax collector. He’s the one that when he walks into a room, everyone looks at him with disdain. Now he goes to the temple. The people in the temple are probably the very people he is using the Roman soldiers to extort and steal money from. So, he stood far off, away from people, not minding them and what they think about him. The tax collector has one audience— God. He stands there, beats his chest (a sign of remorse), and refuses to look up to heaven or look around to avoid distraction. He bends his head and prays—“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” What kind of person is the tax collector? He is humble! Did he say something about himself in this prayer? Yes! He said he is a sinner who needs one thing from God— mercy! 

From worldly perception, the tax collector has power, money and wealth. But what does he not have? God’s approval! He knows he has done wrong. He knows he is under God’s judgment and knows that God does not approve of his behavior. He knows it and does not make excuses for his sins. On the other hand, the Pharisee who is confident that God accepts and approves him fails to realize that pride, arrogance and looking down on others is sinful. To belittle others is to belittle God who is also in them. In the end, it is the tax collector who went home with God’s approval and acceptance. So, who will be accepted by God? It is the humble one. Has the Pharisee done some good and moral things? Yes! But will God accept those who have done some good and moral things nevertheless lack humility? Today’s Gospel says no. Only the humble will be exalted. A proud Christian does not know the God he or she claims to be serving. If in Jesus God the Creator humbled himself, became one of us in all things except sin, who do you think you are to exalt yourself above everyone else? 

I Recommend Prayer!

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Sunday October 20, 2019

“Prayer is the key, prayer is the key, prayer is the master key. Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer, prayer is the master key.”

I grew up in Nigeria singing the song above. During family prayers, I joined in singing it. During Mass, fellowship, and other prayer meetings in the church, I sang along with others. It’s a common song in Nigeria that communicates three things: one, the vital importance of prayer; two, the fact that Jesus prayed from the beginning of his earthly ministry till the end; three, that as his disciples we should pray at all times like he did.

Friends, the central theme that runs through the readings today is prayer. The first reading taken from the Book of Exodus highlights the power and efficacy of prayer. After a certain nation, Amalek, declared war against Israel, Moses asked Joshua to take some men from the land and go out and engage Amalek in battle. He promised that he, Moses, will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. When the war began, Moses went with Aaron and Hur to the top of the hill. Now, as long as Moses kept his hands raised up (a symbol of prayer), Israel was winning. But whenever he lets his hands rest, the Amalekites were winning. With the passage of time, Moses became tired of keeping his hands raised. So, Aaron and Hur quickly put a stone in place for him to sit. After that they held and supported his hands, one on the left and the other on the right. With this, Moses’ hands were constantly raised till sunset leading to an overwhelming defeat of Amalek and a resounding victory for the Israel. 

No one goes through life without an encounter with difficult times. It’s either they come to us or we dabble into them. When it happens, depending on what the nature of the problem is, we seek for solutions. The message from the first reading and Gospel is that we include prayer as part of the solutions. So, if you are going through a quarter-life, mid-life or end-of-life crisis, I recommend prayer to you. Did you experience a heart-wrenching breakup from a relationship you invested so much into? I recommend prayer as part of your healing solution. Are you yet to recover from a painful divorce? I recommend prayer.  Did you lately experience failure in a project you worked so hard for? Why not try prayer? Did you suddenly lose a job you expected to be in till retirement? I recommend to prayer to you. Are you going through grief due to loss of a loved one or loss something very important to you? I recommend prayer to you. Are you one of those, like me who struggle with change? I recommend prayer to you. Change is always a hard thing to accept. In 2015, all the priests in this parish that many of you had got used to were transferred at the same time. Then four years later, what happened in 2015 happened again. I can understand if you are angry and frustrated by this constant change. But rather than take your anger on me or the other priests who were newly assigned here, I recommend prayer to you. Believe me, coming here was very difficult for me— not because the people of Minnesota are not wonderful people, but due to the weather. Left to me, I will rather stay in California. Just as you don’t determine the priests that serve you, I don’t determine the people I serve or where I go. If you are feeling frustrated by any kind of change, by the constant change around you, remember my recommendation— prayer. If you go to your doctor, he might recommend a medicine, an anti-depressant. But for me, I recommend prayer. Pray at all times and for different reasons and for different situations. If you are tired of praying, ask others to pray for you. Book Masses. Whenever I look at the Mass intentions, it is mostly for our departed loved ones. As you book Masses for your loved ones, remember to book Masses for your own intentions. If you are tired of praying just as Moses was, ask others to pray for you. Request for Masses for a private intention. The Mass is the highest form of prayer. 

Now, while we pray during difficult times, Jesus also urges us to pray at all times— good and bad times. Today’s Gospel taken from Luke 18:1-8 is about the necessity to pray always without becoming tired. It is also about persistence in prayer. Like the unnamed widow in the Gospel, we should never give up the habit of praying. We should pray in season and out of season whether our requests are granted or not. Prayer of asking and making request is just one type of prayer. There is also prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, love and contrition. Prayer is the key and the master key because it connects us to God. It helps us remain in God. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.” If you want to remain in the Son of God; if you want to be a good fruit bearing Christian, then pray frequently. Pray at all times because your salvation partly depends on it. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks us to “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says,” but I also want us to pay attention to what the Lord himself says at the end of this Gospel, “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” If we give up praying simply because our intentions were not granted exactly as we prayed, he will not find faith on earth. If we stop praying just because we have everything we want in life and don’t see or have a need to pray, he will not find faith on earth. If we give up praying because we don’t have the time, he will not find faith on earth. If we don’t pray because we are tired, he will not find faith on earth. If we leave prayer to feelings and convenience, he will not find faith on earth. If you don’t pray just because you are angry and upset with God, then Jesus will not find faith on earth. If you don’t pray because you are disappointed with the Church leaders or with someone associated with the Church, Jesus will not find faith on earth. If we only pray verbally but not attitudinally, he will not find faith on earth. Our life should be a life of prayer and we should live like people who pray. Whatever your situation may be now, remember prayer. That’s my prescription for you.  

Homily for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Rev. Marcel E. Okwara, CSsR

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church

Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 

Today’s Gospel is about the parable of a rich man and a poor man. The rich man, according to Jesus dressed expensively and dined sumptuously each day. To dine sumptuously means to indulge in a costly, lavishly, and splendid eating. Now, while he enjoyed the fruits of his labor, which happens to be God’s blessings, there was unfortunately an impoverished man who laid at his door, covered with sores, and wished he could eat from the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.  After an earthly life of untold suffering, the poor man died and was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man, after living in extreme luxury also died. Unfortunately, he ended up in a place of torment; a place we call hell. From where he was suffering, he saw Abraham and Lazarus on the other side having a good time. Immediately, he made two demands. The first was, “Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.” When his first request was rejected by Abraham, he made another one, “…I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.” To the second request, Abraham reminded him that his brothers have Moses and the prophet of whom they should listen to. 

Some of us will look at this Gospel as a condemnation of riches and wealth and a glorification of abject poverty. Jesus’ intention was never to condemn the wealthy or denigrate riches. Moreover, Lazarus’ poverty is evil and sinful. His level of poverty is an offense against charity. Abject poverty of this kind should be tackled and defeated. It gives no glory to God; it gives no praise to anyone. No human being should be allowed to experience such for it debases the dignity of the human person. Jesus is not anti-riches or anti-rich folks. After all, riches can be God’s blessings too. Scripture tells us that silver and gold belongs to God. God is the source of everything that is good. 

That brings me to the question: Why did the rich man end up in the place of torment and Lazarus in a place of comfort? The rich man did not go to hell simply because he was rich. Then what was his sin? After all he never ordered Lazarus be thrown out of his house. He did not call the police to report that an intruder was around him. What then was the sin of the rich man? He was blind to the poor man at his door. He never noticed Lazarus. The poor man was invisible to him. As far as he was concerned, Lazarus was part of the landscape. As far as he was concerned, it was perfectly alright for Lazarus to live in squalor while he wallow in extravagant feasting. What took the rich man to the place of torment is not what he did but what he did not do. His sin was that he could look at a man ravaged by disease, a child of God, a human being like himself, saw his dire need for help but felt no sense of pity. He saw a man covered with sores, a helplessly homeless beggar, a desperately hungry man, a man plundered by deep pain, yet did nothing about it. And it is not as if he lacked the resources to help and change the life of Lazarus. God was sitting right in front of his house, but he turned a blind eye. Because he rejected God in time,  God rejected him in eternity.   

As for Lazarus he went to heaven not because he was a poor man, but because like his name suggests he totally leaned on God for help. The name Lazarus is derived from the Hebrew name “Eleazar” which means, “God is my help.” In his poverty, he was not jealous of the rich man. He did not turn away from God. He was not upset with God or with anyone. Despite his poverty, he still had faith in God. He loved God and sought help from him. In the end, he got the relief and salvation he sought for.

Sisters and brothers, if you are able to help someone, if you are able to put a smile on someone’s face, if you are able to make an impact in someone’s life, an impact rooted in love and compassion, try and do it. In the end, you will realize that you have stored so much treasure for yourself in heaven. The Lord has not called us to do nothing. We are called to do something- something good.  Every day of our lives, God puts us in a position of doing something worthwhile, of wiping away tears from the eyes of someone, of lending a helping hand, of speaking to a lonely person, of visiting the sick and the shut-in, of changing a life, of making a difference in the life someone, of making others see Jesus in us. When that opportunity comes, don’t act like the rich man in today’s gospel. Do something!