Saint Andrew Catholic Church Ilemba

08/02/2026

Happy Sunday

08/02/2026

*Wonderful Words of Life:* Sunday 8th of Feb., 2026. The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A.
📜Isa. 58:7-10; Ps. 112:4-9; 1 Cor. 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16.

Theme: *Making a difference in the world.*

*"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill can not be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Mt 5:14-15)*

Jesus, in our gospel today, continues to bring more insight into how to live as his followers. He is very practical in his approach and uses things that are very familiar to everyone. Jesus compared his disciples to be salt of the earth, light of the world, and a building built on a mountain top. Salt is an essential ingredient in our food. It has other importance outside adding taste to our food. In those days, we did not have refined salt as we have it now. Salt was gotten from the sea and tied on a bag. It was dipped into the food until it lost its taste and it was discarded. Jesus says Christians must not lose their taste in the world. We must always and at all times add flavor and season to the world. Salt was also used as purifiers, cleansers, and preservatives.

Jesus equally tells us that the disciple is a light in the world. We all know the essence of light in the world and lives. In those days, where the houses were built without widows, it was dark and lamp was always needed. Christ says we must be light to dispel darkness. When light comes, darkness disappears. Light is not a private energy; it is not for hiding or hoarding. It means the disciples have something worth showing and sharing. It means we have to be real and practical. Hence, the first reading tells us that the easiest way to make your light shine and be salt is that we must reach out to the hungry, homeless, naked, and do other works of mercy. When we do that, our healing will be speedy, and when we pray, God will hear us. As building on top of the mountain, it means we must not shy away from our calling but be visible and be models to others.

Beloved, as Christians, Jesus is telling us to make a difference in the world. That is what light and salt do wherever they are. We must not live a passive life but an active one. We must be like catalysts that are not changed but cause changes in the world. We must be relevant and impactful wherever we find ourselves because salt and light are essential to our daily lives. Let us not lose our relevance through sin and weaknesses. As light of the world, we should lead others to Christ so that they will give glory to the Father. We must bear concrete witness wherever we find ourselves; at home, offices, neighbourhoods, and in the world. We are not called to blend with the world but to stand out in good morals and values. Let us try to make sure that our good works are visible and not hiding because we are on mountain tops.

*Lord, you are the source of light, and in your light, we see light. May our light shine brightly daily. Amen*

*Happy Sunday and a blessed week ahead.*

*Fr. Kevwe A. Unuajohwofia, C.Ss.R*

01/02/2026

*Wonderful Words of Life:* Sunday, 1st of Feb., 2026. The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A.
📜Zeph. 2:3:12-13; Ps. 146:6-10; 1Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12.

Theme: *Our nothingness and dependence on God brings happiness.*

*"Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Mt 5:1-3)*

The readings this Sunday bring us to reflect on how God notices our nothingness and dependency on him. And that becomes a channel of happiness to us. The first reading from Zephaniah invites the children of God to seek the Lord all who are humble. They are to seek righteousness because God dwells with the humble and lowly of hearts. We see in the second reading that God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, so that no flesh might boast in the presence of God.

In the gospel, Jesus, as the new Moses went to the Mount when he saw the crowd, and he sat down to teach the crowd. It was a new teaching as he taught them way to blessedness. Jesus introduced a path to be happy with the Lord. Every of the beatitude goes with a reward. For instance, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God." Jesus did not encourage poverty and enthroned wretchness. The poor here do not necessarily mean economic poverty but those who live a life of detachment and those who know the need of their God. They are the _anawim_ of the Lord. Blessed are those who mourn, meek, hunger, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and the persecuted. There is a corresponding reward for all those who walk the path of God.

Beloved, St. Teresa of Avila once said that God is everything and we are nothingness. In our nothingness, we live solely for God and to please him. When we are able to detach from the world, live peacefully with one another, and possess a heart where we hunger for God and righteousness, we are certainly going to be happy. We all need to be happy here on earth so that we can be happy with the Lord forever in heaven. Happiness is our birthright. Therefore, we are encouraged to follow the beatitudes. It is the summary of what Jesus taught, and it is binding on all Christians to follow to be effective witnesses in the world. If we can live out the beatitude of the Lord, we can surmount every challenge that comes our way. Even when we are persecuted, we know that we are not suffering in vain. God will reward us. Christians, let us stand against injustice, oppression, and marginalization. Let us be peacemakers and show mercy when needed.

*Lord, our God, help us to be able to obey your commands, be meek, and be happy with you. Amen*

*Happy Sunday and New Month to you.*

*Fr. Kevwe A. Unuajohwofia, C.Ss.R*

25/01/2026

25/01/2026

*Wonderful Words of Life:* Sunday, 25th of Jan., 2026. The 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A.
📜Isa. 8:23-9:3; Ps. 27:1.4.13-14; 1Cor 1:10-13,17; Mt 4:12-23

Theme: *The word of God lightens the world.*

*"From that time, Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 4:17)*

On the third Sunday of January, the Church celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God. This is the seventh Sunday under the motto: “The word of Christ dwells among you” (Col 3:16). Recall that this celebration was established by Pope Francis in his 2019 Apostolic Letter _Aperuit illis,_ emphasizing the essential connection between the Risen Lord, Christian communities, and Sacred Scripture. It is an invitation to give a pride of place to the word of God, as living and active among believers. The readings today tell us how the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined. It was a message of hope through prophet Isaiah.

This prophecy has been fulfilled in the gospel as Jesus began his public ministry. After the arrest of John, Jesus changed his location from where he was born Nazareth to Capernaum, the capital of Galilee to preach the word of God. The content of his preaching was, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." Jesus quickly recruited some people who will help him to preach the good news, and these are fishermen. He called them, and they left their lucrative business, familiar grounds and family for the sake of the kingdom. All Jesus did was to speak the word of God, and they freely obeyed and became students of the word of God.

Beloved, Christ came as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah as the light of the nation. He came to preach the news of hope that will destroy every darkness and set us from any bo***ge. The truth of the word of God sets you free (Jn 8:32). The word of God is not just a written word but a person incarnate to us in Christ. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). Those who meditate on the word of God are like trees planted beside the flowing river and they bear fruits in all season and their leaves never wither, and every project succeeds (Ps. 1:2-3). The knowledge of the word of God saves us from sins and causes us to repent. The word of God is spirit, and it is life (Jn 6:63). Psalms 119:105
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." And the entrance of the word of God gives light and life (119:130). For us to be authentic Christians, therefore, we must study the word of God, meditate, digest, and make it part of our daily routine.

*Lord, your word is hidden in my heart that I may not sin against you but be assured better Christians. Amen*

*Happy Sunday and a blessed week ahead.*

*Fr. Kevwe A. Unuajohwofia, C.Ss.R*

18/01/2026

*Wonderful Words of Life:* Sunday, 18th of Jan., 2026. The 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A.
📜Isa. 49:3,5-6; Ps 40:2-10; 1 Cor. 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34.

Theme: *Called to bear witness to Christ.*

*"John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29)*

For one to be a witness, the person must possess certain knowledge of what he or she wants to bear witness to. The readings today tell us about bearing witness to the truth of God. The first reading from Isaiah talked about a servant whom he identified as Israel. The chosen servant will be honoured by the Lord, and he will be a light to the nations, to take the salvation of the Lord to the ends of the earth. Our attitude to this call of Christ should be like the response of the psalmist that says, "See, I have come, Lord, to do your will."

The gospel relates to us the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus. John, as a rabbi, had his disciples. He had told them many things about Jesus Christ, but he does not know him physically. But he was told that the one the spirit will descend on like a dove is the Christ. The moment he saw Jesus, he proclaimed him. He did not hold back, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." This short statement revealed the identity and mission of Jesus to those around. Recall during the Passover night in Exodus 12 in Egypt, when the angel of death was to move round. The Israelites smeared the blood of the lamb on their door post so that that night, they were delivered from death and afflictions. It is a prefigure of the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. On Calvary, the Lord shed his blood for our redemption. That sacrifice is not done by the blood of goat or bulls but the blood of the son of God. The sacrifice was done once and for all.

Beloved, John the Baptist’s life is a life of witness to Christ. He was a signpost to direct us to Christ. In his humility, he did not usurp the position of Christ. We must learn to direct people to Christ always and proclaim him to those around. We should connect to this title of Jesus as the Lamb who takes away not only our sins but also shame, burden, afflictions, and humiliation. We could access this truth via our participation in the sacrifice of the Holy Mass, the unbloody sacrifice of Calvary. This is why the Mass is the highest form of prayers that save and deliver us from evil. The Lamb of God is the son of God who came to the world that we may have life, life to the full. There is power in the precious blood of Jesus. Christ poured out his life on us so that we may have eternal life.

*Lord, our God, may we find solace in your precious blood that was poured out for the salvation of our souls. Amen*

*Happy Sunday and a blessed week ahead.*

*Fr. Kevwe A. Unuajohwofia, C.Ss.R*

04/01/2026

*Wonderful Words of Life:* Sunday, 4th of Jan., 2026. The solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
📜Isa. 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-13; Eph. 3:2-6; Mt 2:1-12.

Theme: *Ephiphany: God's revelation to restore his people.*

*"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” (Mt 2:2-3)*

Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. That is, God's self revelation or manifestation to the world. The world covered in darkness has witnessed a great light. The Israelites wandered in darkness, pain, and suffering in exile in Babylon. The Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem and were in ruin. The Israelites never thought they would see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, Isaiah brought then the good news of hope from Yahweh; "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." The command from God is to lift up your eyes and see how God restores Jerusalem and all that they had lost would come to them. It is the celebration of light over darkness and evil.

In the gospel, we see how some strangers, Magi, who belong to the priestly caste in Persia, saw the star of Christ, and they set out in search of him. These were pagans who devote themselves to study stars and are called astrologers. In those days, a special star announced the birth of a great person. Hence, the magi went to Bethlehem to search for Jesus, and Herod got to know of the birth of Jesus. Herod was a wicked king who would do anything to protect his throne and wanted Jesus dead. When the Wise Men from the East saw the star, they followed its lead, which led them to where Jesus was. They met Mary his mother, and they worshipped him and presented to him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They left and never returned to Herod.

Beloved, today's celebration brings our attention to the fact that God's coming to the world is not meant for some people alone but for all. It is an invitation to rise and shine because the light and glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Arise above whatever is hindering you, and radiate the glory of God. There are times that we do not appreciate what we have. While the Jewish people rejected Jesus, strangers who know his worth came to pay him homage and obeisance. We should learn that whenever we sincerely seek Jesus, we will certainly find him. God is accessible and welcomes all who visit him. As we come to God, we should not come to him with empty-handed. You should come with gifts to the Lord. You can come to him with gifts of your heart, your time, talents, and treasure.

*Lord, help us let us rise and shine in from every hindrance. May our search for you never be in vain. Amen*

*Happy Sunday and a blessed week ahead.*

*Fr. Kevwe A. Unuajohwofia, C.Ss.R*