Homily for the Feast of St. Augustine Catholic Chaplaincy, Akoka, Feast Day. 27th August, 2017

Homily for the Feast of St. Augustine Catholic Chaplaincy, Akoka, Feast Day. 27^th August, 2017

Brothers and sisters, what more can we do today other than to say thank you Jesus for the many blessings and the good things of life he has bestowed upon us most especially as a community of Christ’s faithful here in Akoka. We are indeed grateful to God, may his name be praised.

As Christians we are first humans and are called to a vocation of love. We are capable of loving and are built to desire and need a community. We also need a regular schedule as we progress in life on these grounds, whenever we celebrate national holidays for a country or celebrate someone’s birthday, or celebrate a wedding anniversary, we recall and relive special memories that are so dear to us, and we also desire others to join us in our joy.

Feast Days in Catholicism serve this same purpose. They help us have a logical order to the liturgical year. They align with the seasons many times. They help us remember important events in salvation history. They remind us of the great works of awesome men and women who have gone before us. They let us know that we are all part of the Body of Christ and what it means to be a Christian.

To be a Christian, is simply to know Christ personally. The gospel passage today gives us a better knowledge to this. Christ puts the straight question to his disciples-who do people say I am? Who do you say I am? Amidst all the answers given, the most profound answer which came with a blessing and announcement of authority is the one given by peter- You are Christ, the Son of the Living God! Christ instantly changed his name and give him a position of authority. This came as a result of a personal knowledge of God.

There is no way we can know God and the things he has done for us by a disconnected attachment or a seldom or partial fellowship with him. For us to know him better and be able to say who he is and what he is doing in our lives, we must fellowship with him. This is the case of St. Monica-the mother of St. Augustine whose feast we celebrate today, our patron saint.

We recall that during his life time, he led a life which was disconnected to God until a dramatic experience of an encounter with a boy who wanted to empty the sea into a bucket. An experience that made a deep impression on him as journeyed along life till he heard that firm but yet inviting words of St. Ambrose. He made a decision to follow God. This encounter was made possible by the persistent intercession of his mother st. Monica.

Can we talk about the greatness of a child without the parents especially the mother? St. Monica played a great role in the life of St. Augustine who requested from her son her one wish and desire to know God and to be remembered at the Altar.

This special wish to be remembered at the altar speaks of the intercessory role of this wonderful saint for his blessed mother who fought so well that he may know God. This special wish could only be fulfilled within the perimeter of a well structured church dedicated to God. Where else could St. Augustine perform this special assignment other than within the precincts of the sanctuary and at the altar where he acts impersona Christi offering not only his sacrifice but that of his mother and the entirety of humanity?

Today as we celebrate our Feast Day; St. Augustine, we recall and relive St. Monica’s wish to be remembered at the Altar! Today, we recall the fulfillment of this plea as we are grateful to the wonderful mothers of St. Augustine Catholic Chaplaincy Akoka who responded promptly to the renovation of the chapel of perpetual adoration.

Mothers your response to the call to renovate the chapel of perpetual adoration is a repetition of St. Monica’s plea to her son St. Augustine. But at this time, you are not only asking St. Augustine but you are asking every priest with whom St. Augustine shares the Ministerial priesthood with and who celebrates the sacred mysteries in our great chaplaincy to remember your children, to remember you husbands, to remember your household, to remember your business.

Mothers you have done noble! You have brought for us a rich treasure!! You have asked that our chaplaincy be healed of every evil presence!!! You have asked that Christ may come into this chaplaincy. Mothers I am proud of you, your son and daughters are proud of you, as a chaplaincy we are proud of you!!! Keep this flag flying high. Thank you for making it possible for us to invite the Archbishop of Lagos into our midst. Who would be present amongst us today to bless and open for us this rich and wonderful treasure of God’s presence.

The archbishop is performing the role of peter. The role that the Lord gave him as he confessed the divinity of the Lord-you are the Christ the son of the living God! The Archbishop of Lagos, most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, who shares the Apostolic heritage will be opening for us the gates of heaven here in St. Augustine and the powers of the underworld can never close it because whatever he looses here on earth is considered loosed in heaven. Whatever he binds on earth shall be considered bound in heaven. Though Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone-we are not disobeying him but we are spreading the word abroad to the glory of God!

Who spreads the word? It is the one who has encountered. It is the one who has been blessed by the Lord. It is the one whom God has done mighty things for. one who has experienced the mercy of the Lord is the one like Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Hannana, Sarah, Deborah, Esther, Jabez, David, Bartimaeus, and others the Lord did great things for in the Sacred Scriptures.

Today St. Augustine Catholic Chaplaincy, Akoka is Happy because a great thing has happened to us. We shall gather around His Grace Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins to dedicate this spiritual edifice to God. After all the Hard works and sacrifices, all the sleepless nights and collective efforts beginning from the promoters to the executors, from architects and workers to engineers and contractors, from our wonderful mothers to anonymous donors and to all who in one way or the other have given their priceless contributions to the success of this project, God has deemed it fit that this chapel of perpetual adoration be blessed today. To God be the glory great things he has done!

To dedicate something means to set it aside for use for a special purpose and today by the grace of God we will set aside this sacred place as a house of God for worship and a place of prayer and refuge for hearts searching for purpose and meaning in life. Ordinarily, a chapel of perpetual adoration is a place where the Christians find time to be alone with God in quiet meditation, reflection on the word of God, offer thanks and praise to God, pray together, receive the sacraments and even celebrate the Eucharist. But above all else, it is God’s temple built on living stones with Christ himself as the cornerstone where the Father is worshipped in spirit and in truth (1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:19-22; Matt. 16:18). It is the people of God gathered together in the sacrament of his body and Blood. And that is the essence of today’s celebration.

Everywhere as always when a chapel such as this is built and after it has been renovated solely for the assembly of the people of God, and the celebration of holy mysteries and for carrying out sacred functions we usually bless it and set it aside for sacred duties with holy water, Chrism Oil, prayers and blessings drawn from the solemn rite of the book of Blessing in accordance with the ancient custom of blessing a chapel of perpetual adoration.

This spiritual exercise carries a profound meaning. It speaks of God’s everlasting presence with his church. It reminds us that God is here (in this chapel of perpetual adoration for St. Augustine Catholic Chaplaincy, Akoka) and does not go away for he promised to be with us to the end of time (Matt. 28:20).The Tabernacle is a visible sign of this omnipresence of God because God is here and will never go away. God is in this place waiting silently and patiently for us to come and adore him and bring our problems and desires to him. We should be confident in the Lord and avail ourselves of this opportunity as we bless this place by presenting ourselves to God whole and entirely.

The image of Our Lord and that of the Blessed Virgin Mary remind us of the wonderful role played in the history of our salvation. As we cast our gaze on this image, we are drawn to pray and reflect on their life, and virtues of obedience and humility in total surrender to God’s will.

The Stations of the Cross remind us that we also need to journey with God by carrying our cross daily and follow the Lord. As his Grace blesses this chapel of perpetual adoration this day, may the Lord’s presence never depart from this place, may his presence and peace never depart from our homes both now and forever. Amen.

Friends, we have come a long way. From pako church to this structure AC Church we have here today done by our wonderful brother and friend-Fr. George Anibuike and to the beautiful chapel of perpetual adoration done by our wonderful mothers. May his name be praised.

Brothers and sisters we cannot afford to go back to those days of humble beginnings. We can remember them and smile over them but we must forge ahead with God, with total surrender to him, with courage, faith, trust and resilience.

Brothers and sisters remember this word, you are the driver of your destiny, your life, don’t let anyone steal your seat! This can only happen when we begin to lazy, take things for granted and abandon God.

Brothers and sisters we have a lot to accomplish. While we thank God today, we must remember always that great work lies ahead. For us as a community, we need to re-roof this church, and construct a car park. I pray with the help of God we shall accomplish it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

During our family prayers on Wednesday, we decreed that we shall invite his Grace Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos to bless this church come next year at this same time in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Brothers and sisters as we celebrate our feast day, let us note this few things;

1. The truth shall only come to you from this sanctuary.
2. Your cooperation in making St. Augustine Great is a collective effort and not that of Father Wisdom Chikezie.
3. Your constant prayers for our Great Chaplaincy are necessary both at home, school, and work.
4. Be honest and sincere in your dealing with the priests for it attracts great blessings upon your household.
5. Cooperate with me in building this Chaplaincy for it will be to our collective joy and the glory of God.
6. Forgive everyone who has hurt so that you can feel better and soar high.
7. Work hard in the various assignments given to you.
8. Cooperate with the leaders we have placed in your society, organization, movement, association, liturgical ministries.
9. Remember always we have a vision and a mission we are working with and do yourself some good to key into it.
10. Abandon any project or group that is not adding value to your life.
11. Remember to be a man and a woman who is conscious to make right decisions and not to be influenced by wrong words and rumours and gossips. Always ask the right questions and do not follow sentiments but reason and walk with faith.
12. Remember always this is the church where you received your sacraments and if you didn’t receive your sacraments here but have found yourself here, do your best to know that the church is the house of God and as I play my part sincerely in building it, the Lord is building my household.
13. Remember always that unity and love will make us tall.

Above all else, pray for the priests, the religious that the Lord may give them strength and courage to do his work. Remember that they are always praying and asking God’s blessings upon you.