Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A – Dec 18, 2016
Readings: Is 7:10-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2,3-4,5-6; Rom 1:1-7; Gospel Mat 1:18-24.
Theme: Lessons from the Emmanuel & Joseph Effect!
Friends in Christ, the joy of last Sunday being Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday has led us to the last Sunday of Advent. The four Sundays of Advent have given us four weeks of intense preparation for the Lord’s nativity. Today, the Prophet Isaiah (Is 7:10-14) brings us glad tidings that a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son who shall be named Emmanuel. Isaiah’s prophecy is amplified in the gospel (Mat 1:18-24) which presents the circumstances leading to the saviour’s birth culminating in naming him, Emmanuel – much like Isaiah’s Emmanuel which means, God with us. What do we make of this? Well, our reflection will be based on the Emmanuel-Effect in the light of God’s omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience while drawing lessons from the Joseph-Effect.
1. God’s Omnipresence: The last Sunday of Advent puts before us the Emmanuel-Effect. It reveals God’s abiding presence among us. There is no doubting the fact that God is ever present with us. Of course, he is not physically present as he was over two thousand years ago in Bethlehem where he was born but his spirit is at work in the Church and among believers. That is not all, we are reminded not to lose sight of God’s omnipresence in the sacraments – the visible presence of God in the Church which gives us new life, provides us with the bread of life, confirms our faith, grants us healing, forgives our sins, raises ministerial priests to shepherd the Church and unites man and woman to adorn the domestic Church with the jewels of offspring. We must allow his presence to be felt in our private and public lives. We must also be seen to live out the Emmanuel-Effect as we approach Christmas.  

Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Third Sunday of Advent, Year A – Gaudete Sunday - Nov 11, 2016
Readings: Is 35:1-6a.10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6c-7.8-9a.9bc-10(R.cf.Is 35:4); James 5:7-10; Gospel Mat 11:2-11.
Theme: The Signs of Time and Imperative of Christ’s Coming!
Friends in Christ, the words of John the Baptist in the gospel (Mat 11:2-11) to Jesus through his disciples while he was in prison namely “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” appears scandalous. How can John, who was a forerunner of Jesus, be asking that kind of question? How can the person who gave tax collectors, prostitutes, soldiers and other categories of sinners the baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming one, whom he claimed was mightier than he, whose sandals he was not worthy to untie turn around to ask if Jesus was indeed the Messiah?
Well, we may be scandalised at the Baptist’s reaction and question but in reality, we are guiltier than John in many respects. What is our attitude to persecution, disease, sickness, death and poverty? How do we respond to the inability to get a job, pay our children’s school fees, house rent, PHCN bill or have three square meals per day? What do we make of the economic meltdown Nigeria is currently undergoing in the light of our faith?

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Second Sunday of Advent, Year A – Nov 4, 2016
Readings: Is 11:1-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 72:1-2. 7-8.12-13.17.CR.cf.7; Rom 15:4-9; Gospel Mat 3:1-12.
Theme: The Imperative of Being Heralds of Christ’s Second Coming!
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the Second Sunday of Advent presents us with realities that are meant to perfectly prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s nativity. We shall reflect on four points in the light of our readings:
1. John as Jesus’ Forerunner – The events leading to the birth of St. John the Baptist clearly reveals the task God had for him. The child, John, had leapt in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth at the greeting of her cousin, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The eventful episode of Ein Kerem (Jerusalem) as found in Luke 1:39-56 reminds us about the remote stages of setting John aside for the great task of preparing the people for the coming of Christ. In no small way did he carry the sacred task of preparing the people for the eventual arrival of Jesus. This has great lessons for us as we shall soon discover.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

First Sunday of Advent, Year A – Nov 27, 2016
Readings: Is 2:1-5; Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2,3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Rom 13:11-14; Gospel Mat 24:37-44.
Theme: Of Times & Seasons: Welcoming Jesus in Our Hearts!
Beloved in Christ, the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us about the necessity of change in times and seasons when it says: “To everything there is a season, and a time under heaven” (Ecc 3:1). The Season of Advent is here again – a time when the liturgical colour changes to purple/violet; a time when a new liturgical new calendar begins; a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the nativity of the Lord at Christmas.
The word Advent comes from the Latin, adventus which means “coming” – the word is synonymous with the Greek parousia which also stands for (coming). As a season of looking forward and waiting for something really important, Advent is about both the preparation of the annual celebration of the birth of Christ and his second coming. Little wonder in the gospel (Mat 24:37-44) Jesus likens his parousia (coming) to the days of Noah, before and after the flood.

Fr Justine: Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Thirty-fourth Sunday of the Year, C – Nov 20, 2016: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Last Sunday of the Year & Official Closing of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome.
Readings: 2 Sam 5:1-3; Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5(cf.1); Col 1:12-20; Gospel Luke 23:35-43.
Theme: Living for the King of Kings & the Lord of Lords!
My dear people of God, today is Christ the King - A day in which the liturgical cycle of the Church closes. The celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ as King of the Universe reminds Christians about the indefectible place of Christ’s reign over the earth and the call to live accordingly as heirs of the Kingdom.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Thirty-third Sunday of the Year, C – Nov 13, 2016: The Closing of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in Local Churches.
Readings: Malachi 4:1-2a; Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:5-6,7-9ab,9cd(R.cf9cd); 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Gospel Luke 21:5-19.
Theme: A Merciful Judge, False Prophets & End-time Prophesy!
Friends in Christ, as we prepare to round up the Church’s Liturgical Calendar, our readings speak to us about a merciful judge, false prophets and end-time realities. The readings are timely because today, the Universal Church mandates Local Churches to officially close the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy although the grand finale will be holding in Rome on November 20, 2016. It will be recalled that the Holy Father, Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Mercy on December 8, 2015.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Thirty-second Sunday of the Year, C – Nov 6, 2016.
Readings: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8,15; 2 Thes 2:16-3:5; Gospel Lk 20:27-38 or Lk 20:27, 34-38.
Theme: Witnessing to the Point of Death
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, as we approach the end of the Church’s liturgical calendar, our readings are apocalyptic in nature. They not only remind us about the four last things namely, death, judgment, heaven and hell, but challenge us to the fact of witnessing without which we cannot see the face of God.
In the first reading (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14) we hear about the dramatic witnessing of a courageous Jewish woman and her seven sons. This moving story is a one of faith, courage and heroic witness. From this dutiful family, we learn devotion to the law of God and our ancestors in the faith; therein, we also take lessons in the resurrection and on how to witness courageously:
1. Devotion to the Law of God: One thing we cannot take away from this family is their dedication to the law of God.  It would seem that the Old Testament injunction: “You shall thus observe all my statutes and all my ordinances and do the; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37) was a creed that spurred them on. Little wonder the second son in Verse 9 of the first reading said: “It is for his laws that we are dying.”

Shikrot Mpwi – All Saints Day Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Solemnity of All Saints, Year C - Nov. 1, 2016.
Readings: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Gospel Mt 5:1-12A.
Theme: In Communion with the Saints.                                      
Beloved in Christ, today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. It might interest you to know that today's celebration has an ecumenical dimension because the Anglican Communion, the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church and other Protestant churches observe this day alongside the Catholic Church. This celebration is predicated on the fundamental belief that there is an unbreakable spiritual bond between the citizens of heaven (the Church triumphant) and the living (the Church militant). As a day in which we commemorate all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven, All Saints Day is a solemnity and a holiday of obligation in Catholic countries.                       On this day, we give solemn thanks to God for the known and unknown  lives of the saints. Glorious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful (Psalm 116:15). As we reflect on the spiritual meaning attached to this celebration, we must understand who the saints are and their intercessory role:  

Shikrot Mpwi –Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day, Year C - Nov. 2, 2016 Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk)

Readings: Wis 3:1-9; Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6; Rom 5:5-11 Or Rom 6:3-9; Gospel Jn 6:37-40.
Theme: In Praying for the Dead, We Pray for Ourselves. No other time is appropriate to remember the dead than around this time of the year in which Christian Catholics around the world traditionally dedicate the souls of the departed to God, be they Christians or not. This pious act of charitable remembrance resonates with the spirit of our celebration. Two significant Catholic solemnities namely, All Saints and All Souls Day which are observed on 1st and 2nd November every year respectively are moments of grace and spiritual strengthening for the Church.                                      The observance of All Souls Day on November 2 as a day of prayer for the souls of all the faithful departed is credited to St. Odilo, the abbot of the powerful monastery of Cluny in southern France who added it to Church celebrations in 998. This feast, called All Souls Day soon spread from France to the rest of Europe.

Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C - Oct. 30, 2016.
Readings: Wis. 11:22-12:2; Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14; Thes. 1:11-2:2; Gospel Lk. 19:1-10.
Theme:  The Challenge of Meeting the Lord & the Sycamore Tree!
Friends in Christ, the wisdom text (Wis. 11:22-12:2) we read today reminds us about God's kindness and mercy as well as his ardent desire to save sinners. It particularly notes that he does that: "...that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in [him]."                                
This implies that God's love is infinite and his mercies unparalleled. Such warm assurances are sure a product of God's benevolence. There is no better moment for appropriating such a salvific gesture than when the Jubilee Year of Mercy is winding up.                            
 The message of the first reading is reinforced in the gospel (Lk. 19:1-10) where the publican Zacchaeus takes advantage of Jesus passing through Jericho. From him, we learn that:            
1. Jesus passes through the Jericho of our daily lives but only those who hunger for him can take advantage of the situation and be the better for it.  

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Thirtieth  Sunday of the Year, C – October 23, 2016: World Mission Sunday.
Readings: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18; Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18; Gospel Lk 18:9-14.
Theme: Siding with the Poor in Prayer, Humility, Charity & Mission
In our first reading (Sir 35:12-14, 16-18) today, God makes a  preferential option for the poor and vulnerable while stamping his authority to not only defend them but grant their heart's desires.             In Catholic theology, preferential option for the poor is a teaching that is based on the Catholic Social Doctrine of the Church which makes a case for all those who are marginalised in society. These include the unborn children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and terminally ill, and victims of injustice and oppression.                                      
The Church Fathers urge the faithful according to their ability to share and  dispose of their goods to help others by giving them aid which will  enable them to help and develop themselves. (The Church in the Modern World - Gaudium et Spes #69)                                                    
We must realise that the earth belongs to everyone, not only to the rich alone (On the Development of  Peoples - Populorum Progressio, #23) which is why the poor and vulnerable must always be on our agenda.    

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year, C – October 16, 2016.
Readings: Ex 17:8-13; Responsorial Psalm Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 2 Tm 3:14-4:2; Gospel Lk 18:1-8.
Theme: Perseverance in Prayer & the Need to Never Grow Weary
Dearly beloved in Christ, our readings this Sunday challenges us on the need for perseverance and synergy in prayer as necessary ingredients of faith. Our liturgy focuses on perseverance as a recipe for petitioning heaven for our needs and the needs of the world. In the first reading (Ex 17:8-13), we are told that as long as Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands up, God granted victory to his people.                                      
What does this mean for contemporary Christians? Well, friends in Christ, it is time we drew lessons from the intercessory role of pastors of souls in intervening for the flock especially at a time of crisis.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Twenty-eightSunday of the Year, C – October 9, 2016.

Readings: 2 Kgs 5-14-17; Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 2 Tm 2:8-13; Gospel Lk 17:11-19.

Theme: Offering thanks & the Blessing of Giving 

Our readings today centre on the theme of giving. In the first reading (2 Kgs 5-14-17), Naaman, the Syrian army General returns with his whole retinue to offer thanksgiving to God for cleansing him from leprosy. Coincidentally, only one out of the ten lepers who were cured by Jesus return to give thanks to God. 

The action of both Naaman and the Samaritan was an indictment on the people of Israel who often failed to thank God for his numerous blessings in their lives.                                        By singling out the Samaritan for praise, Jesus was presumably directing his rebuke to the sons and daughters of Israel for embarrassingly failing to offer thanks to God.

Elisha, the prophet of God, would reject the gifts offered by Naaman as an example for men of God to work for the Lord out of an ardent desire for saving souls not for sordid gain. In a society that is crazy with donor fatigue occasioned by tithes for blessings, giving for promotion and threats to unwilling givers, pastors of souls must re-access their vocation on the attitude of Elisha bearing in mind the words of ordination: “Work not for sordid gain...” and “Model your life according to the mystery of the Lord's cross.” 

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year, C – October 2, 2016.
Readings: Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4; Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14; Gospel Lk 17:5-10.
Theme: Faith that Moves Mountains
Our Sunday liturgy centres on the theme of faith which the penny catechism defines as "the supernatural gift of God which makes us believe without seeing whatever God has revealed."               The Letter to the Hebrews (11:1) lends credence to this definition when it says: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
The conceptions above confirm the biblical dictum, "For we walk by faith and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Over the years, I have settled for the definition of faith which describes it as, “the coat that warms us of the cold of unbelief."                                        
The gospel (Lk 17:5-10) starts on a note of requisition. The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. The reason is not farfetched - in previous chapters of Luke, Jesus had laid  before them the cost of discipleship and implications of scandalising little ones.
By so doing, they knew that following him was not by power or might (Zechariah 4:6). They needed Jesus to consolidate their faith - A requisition that becomes a reference point for would be disciples.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Twenty-sixth Sunday of the Year, C – September 25, 2016.
Readings: Amos 6:1a,4-7; Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6c-7,8-9a,9bc-10(R.v.1b); 1 Tim 6:-11-16; Gospel Lk 16:19-31.
Theme: The Parable of Reversal & a Call to Charity
Most scripture scholars agree that the whole of chapter 16 of Luke’s Gospel revolves around the central theme of material possessions. The chapter is structured into three parts which we have read recently namely, the story of the unjust steward (Vv. 1-13), the Pharisees’ (who loved money) protest and Jesus’ response (Vv. 14-18) and now, the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Vv. 19-31). The entire chapter, talks to the heart of issues surrounding one’s attitude towards material possessions.
On this Sunday, we are presented with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 19-31). It is important to note that the rich man referred to in the gospel is a symbol of the Jews who had been blessed by God as the chosen people but took the graces of God for granted.                                         Let us consider the following points in this reflection: