Divine Favour Catholic Adoration Ministry, Nigeria.

26/10/2025

30TH SUNDAY OF YEAR C

HUMILITY BRINGS PROMOTION

Humility is the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance. In other words, it is the quality of being humble and it means putting the needs of another person before your own, and thinking of others before yourself. Humility is associated with quietness, submission, and thoughts of inadequacy.

The first reading (Sirach 35:13-14, 16-18) talks about the God of justice who fights for the poor and the oppressed. Therefore, God expects us to be co-creators thereby making the human society a just one. In the same light, the second reading (2Tim. 4:6-8, 16-18) presents that the crown the just God gives to us is a gift and not a reward of hard work. Therefore, we should attribute our efforts and achievements in life to God. At the end, we should always learn to say "to God be the glory".

The gospel (Luke 18:9-14) presents the eschatological gamut of a proud man and a humble man. This is an invitation to imbibe the virtue of humility - that you are nothing before God. This periscope is also an invitation to shun pride. This is because pride destroys one's destiny. On the other hand, humily leads to proper articulation and actualization of one's destiny.

Pride and its consequences:

- Pride is a feeling that you are better (more important) than others.
- A feeling that you are stronger, more intelligent, and richer than others without giving glory to God.
- A feeling that you are what you are by your personal effort.

Pride has destroyed the destinies of many people:
- Gen. 11:1-9: The Tower of Babel was destroyed.
- 1Sam. 15:10-23: Saul was rejected.
- 1Sam. 17:45ff: Goliath was defeated.

Humility and its consequences;

- Humility is the quality of not thinking that you are better than other people.
- Humility is seeing yourself as nothing before God.

We are called to learn the humility of the following people:
- 2Kgs.5:9-14: Naaman the Syrian Official left his official pride and embraced humility.
- Luke 1:26-36: The humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary in accepting the will of God.
- Phil. 2: 6-10: Christ was exalted because of his humility.

Implications:

1. Whatever you are/have is a gift from God. Therefore, be humble and glorify God.

2. Whatever you are, somebody has been amd somebody will still be.

3. If we are placed higher than others, we must not reproach others quickly. We must not be fault finders as though we ourselves were perfect.

4. If we are not in authority, we must learn to be obedient, gentle and lowly in heart, so that God can promote us one day.

5. Pride destroys one's destiny while humility brings divine promotion. Therefore, let us humble ourselves that God may exalt us.

May God give us the grace of humility, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

©️ Rev. Fr. Dr. (CSP) Pius Onyero Rosarire Onwuegbuzie.

16/09/2025

Good morning and peace be with you. I wish to appreciate you for your kind words and prayers on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of our priestly ordination (11/9/25). May God bless you and give you many reasons to celebrate.
We appreciate you all.

14/09/2025

CELEBRATING THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST
(Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross)

Today, we celebrate the Cross of Jesus upon which the salvation of the world was made manifest. Today we celebrate the centrality of the cross in our Christian life and its saving power for all who believe. Hence, we make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of every gathering of God's people and in our private and personal devotions.

In the first reading of the day (Numb. 21:4b - 9), Moses lifted the bronze serpent on a pole which served as a source of healing and restoration to those bitten by the snakes. This act is a prefiguration of the salvation that will come to humanity through the Cross of Jesus Christ. This salvation will only come to those who trust and believe in God's word.

The second reading (Phil. 2: 6-11) presents the humility of Jesus Christ by his death on the Cross. His humility led to his exaltation by God. Therefore dear friends in Christ, we are challenged to humble ourselves so that God can take us higher.

In the Gospel (John 3:13-17), the Lord Jesus Christ makes reference to the event of the bronze serpent lifted in the wilderness and posits that He will be lifted in the same manner and whoever believes in him will be saved. In this gospel, there are three key words that are worthy of mention. They are as follows: Lifted, believe, and salvation.

1. Lifted:
There are two senses of being lifted: "Lifted upon the cross" and "lifted in glory" at the ascension into heaven.

2. Believe:
A call to trust in God's revelation through Christ and to live out the principles laid down by Christ.

3. Salvation:
The eternal joy and bliss of the faithful believers.

Lessons from the Cross:

1. Humility of Jesus: He humbled himself and died on the Cross.

2. Forgiveness: At the Cross, Christ forgave the whole world when he said "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing".

3. Thirst for souls: They mistood his thirst for souls to that of a vinegar.

4. Mystery of God's love: God's love is shrouded in mystery. His love still manifests even in times of difficulties and pains.

5. No pain, no gain: The Cross was a partway to Christ's glorification.

As we celebrate the Cross of Jesus today, we pray that God may give us the grace to appreciate and live out the lessons flowing from his Cross of Jesus, amen.

- Padre Pio Rosarire

07/09/2025

23RD SUNDAY OF YEAR C

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME

In Jesus' earthly ministry, large crowd of people was always following him but at the foot of the Cross, only few followers were seen. The reason is that those who followed him to the foot of the Cross followed him convincingly and unconditionally. On the other hand, the large crowd that did not follow him to the Cross was a crowd of unfaithful and conditional followers.
Therefore, I ask you today: which type of Christ's follower are you? A convinced follower or a fair-weather follower?

The first reading (Wisd. 9:13-18) posits that we cannot thank God enough for his goodness in revealing himself to us and in unveiling the plan he has for us when he created us. His plan for us is to grant us salvation. Therefore, we should press towards achieving the plan of God for us. This involves carrying our crosses and following Christ. The second reading (Philemon 9-10, 12-17) makes reference to Onesimus a slave who was converted by Paul and is now useful and sent back to Philemon. The name "Onesimus" in Greek means "useful". The idea here is that the Christian who neglects his temporal duties towards his neighbour and even God, endangers his salvation. Therefore, a good Christian must be a good citizen - useful to God and the society. He must also be ready to take up his Cross and follow the Lord.

In the Gospel (Luke 14:25-33), the Lord Jesus Christ challenges the disciples and all of us in his words "take up your Cross and follow me"!

What are your crosses?

- Your challenges of life.
- Your enemies.
- Your forgiving power.
- Your struggle over sin.
- Your struggle to please God.
- Your sense of obedience.
- Your sense of humility.

Take up your Cross:

- Bearing the burden and pains of sacrifice.
- Seeking God in all situations.
- Sacrificing time and pleasure for God.
- Perseverance in prayers and good deeds.
- Saying "no" to the devil and facing the consequences.
- Not compromising your faith.

Follow Christ:

- Perfect obedience to God through the principles laid down by Jesus Christ.
- Loving as a child of God and modeling your life accordingly (cf. Rom. 12:1).

The reward of carrying one's Cross and following Christ is eternal salvation in heaven. This is because the Cross leads to glorification and those who persevere to the end shall wear the crown of salvation (cf. Mt. 10:22).

- Padre Pio Rosarire

25/08/2025

Go forth, the Mass is ended.

24/08/2025

The joy of His preset

24/08/2025

Blessed people of St. Augustine’s, Challawa, Kano

24/08/2025

24/08/2025

Happy Sunday from all of us.

24/08/2025

21ST SUNDAY OF YEAR C

ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE

The narrow gate is also called the narrow door or the hard way to heaven. It refers to the exclusive, difficult path of true Christian discipleship that leads to eternal life.
The narrowness of the gate implies that it is not a path for everyone; only those who are willing to pay the cost and make sacrifices can enter. The narrow gate is characterized by trials, temptations, and discipline, which requires perseverance and reliance on God.

The Lord Jesus Christ compares the "narrow gate" to the "broad road" which leads to destruction (hell) and posits that many will be on that road. This is because the "broad way" is easy and popular but leads to destruction. He encourages us to follow the narrow gate that leads to heaven. Similarly, the first reading (Is. 66:18-21) presents God's plan to send messengers to gather his children all over the world. This is a big task to the messenger and a big challenge to the targeted audience. Are you ready to be the messenger? Are you ready to obey the messenger?

The second reading (Heb. 12:5-7, 11-13) presents that trials and challenges are signs, not of God's absence but of his presence. They are tests and examinations to determine your faithfulness to the Lord. Therefore child of God, this is a call to submit to God's loving discipline. How many people are ready to submit to God's loving discipline? How many people are ready to follow the way of self mortification and discipline? How many people are ready to follow the narrow gate?

The Gospel (Luke 13:22-30) admonishes the believers on the need to enter through the narrow gate and the preparedness involved in the decision. In answering the question of the number of people who will make heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ presents that the "number" does not matter but what matters is "your salvation". Try your best to make heaven.

Differentiating the broad road from the narrow gate:

To properly understand the narrow gate, there is the need to also understand the broad road.

The broad road:

This is the road of self indulgence, concupiscience, and self gratification (cf. Gen. 6:5-8; 7:1-21; 19:1-26; Gal. 5:19-21). The motto of the broad road is "Everybody is doing it". It is supported by a second motto "it does not matter". Child of God, remember that "there is a way that seems right for a man but the end of it is destruction" (cf. Prov. 4:13). The broad road leads to the destruction of Christian sentiment, sense of the sacred, sense of prudent judgement, and the soul.

The narrow gate:

This is the gate of tremendous demand of total and unwavering loyalty to the Lord and absolute discipline. It is the gate that calls for followership of Christ admidst trials, insults, pains, and persecutions.

Ingredients of survival in athe narrow gate:

- Self-denial.
- Carrying of the Cross.
- Followership of Christ.
- Perseverance.
- Faith.

Conclusion

God in his love invites us and reminds us that we have to make the choice of which way to follow while we are alive. There will be a time when the door will be locked and there will be no opportunity to go back.
Therefore dear brothers and sisters, membership of the Church is not just enough to place us on the right track but the quality of our membership. Your way of life today determines the road you are following: the broad road or the narrow gate.

Always remember that the broad way leads to destruction while the narrow gate leads to salvation. Make your choice today while you are still alive.

- Rev. Fr. Dr. CSP. Pius Onyero Rosarire Onwuegbuzie.

24/08/2025

Divine Favour

11/08/2025

19TH SUNDAY OF YEAR C

THE NECESSITY OF FAITH FOR SALVATION

Faith is an extraordinary gift that enables us to believe without doubt, whatever God has revealed. Through faith, we have come to know the nature of God, the nature of man, and the end of man.

The first reading (Wisd.18:6-9) presents the vision of the Day of the Lord. This "Day of the Lord" is the day of divine justice which is characterised by deliverance to the believers and punishment to the wicked. In Hebrew, it is called 'Yomin Adonai'; in Greek, it is called 'Tin imera tou Kyriou'; in Latin, it is called 'Die Domino'. In French, the day of the Lord is called 'le jour du Seigneur'; in Spanish, it is called 'El dia del Señor'; in Hausa, it is called 'Ranar Ubangiji'; the Yourubas call it 'ojo Oluwa'; the Igalas call it "ojo Ondu; the Tivs call it 'iyange i Aondo'; it is called 'iko k'Owoicho' in Idoma; 'ubosi Chukwu' in Igbo; 'usen Obong' in Ibibio; 'usen Abasi' in Efik; and 'uhosi Osolobue' in Ika language. This day of the Lord is a day of judgment and divine justice. This awareness gives the believers the courage to persevere even in the midst of troubles and persecutions.

The second reading (Heb. 11:1-2, 8-19) posits that Faith helps in understanding the eschatological meaning of life. The word "eschatology" is from two Greek words 'eskatos' ("last things") and 'logos' ("study"). It is the study of the last things (death, judgment, heaven and hell). In other words, eschatology means the study of the end of the world. Therefore, the eschatological meaning of life for Christians includes the following views:
- We are strangers and exiles on earth.
- Heaven is our home.
It is only a man and woman of faith that can understand and believe this eschatological meaning of life.

Today's gospel (Luke 12:32-48) challenges us to do everything possible to go to heaven. This is a call to be prepared and not to be caught unawares. Our faith plays a very vital role in achieving this heavenly kingdom.

Elements of Christian Faith:

The faith necessary for believers to achieve the heavenly kingdom must have the following elements which are drawn from the acronym of FAITH.

- F = Faithfulness (cf. Jn. 14:15): Making all the possible efforts to obey God and keep his commandments. It also means being committed to the things of God.

- A = Attentiveness (cf. Luke 9:35): Listening to the voice of God in all situations in the midst of numerous distractive voices.

- I = Intelligence (cf. Hosea 4:6): Being able to differentiate between right and wrong. That is, having the true sense of prudent judgment.

- T = Truthfulness: Believing all the deposits of faith provided by the Church as true and necessary for human salvation. This is because of Christ's ever-presence in the Church (cf. Matt. 28:20).

- H = Holiness: A true believer is called to be conscious of sin and avoid it, and also to be conscious of godliness and embrace it. Godliness (also called Holiness) is a necessary garment of a true child of God without which no man can see God (cf. Heb.12:14).

Implications:

1. The end must surely come (the end of the world; the end of your life). How are you preparing for it?

2. Our final destination as Christians is heaven. Pray and work hard not to miss it.

3. Heavenly kindgom is God's design and his plan of salvation for us. Therefore, we must cooperate with the will of God.

4. The world is created so that the reign of God could mature in it. In other words, the world is a place where you love God with your neighbours and grow spiritually.

5. The world is temporal and passing.

6. The reign of God is eternal and the believers will reign eternally with him.

7. Put your faith in God's word; be watchful in prayer and good deed so that the day of the Lord will not take you by surprise.

May God bless his word in our minds and hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord.