Liturgical Discuss, Catholic Diocese of Zaria (2026)

22/02/2026

HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT TIME (CYCLE A)
By
REV FR AKEMA JAMES TERNGU

Readings: Genesis 2:7–9; 3:1–7, Romans 5:12–19, Matthew 4:1–11

In the first reading, we see Adam and Eve in the garden, a place of abundance, intimacy with God, and harmony. Yet temptation enters quietly. The serpent does not force; he suggests. He plants doubt: “Did God really say…?” Temptation often begins not with dramatic rebellion, but with subtle distortion. The tragedy of the fall is not merely eating a fruit; it is mistrust of God. Humanity grasps at what it already possesses namely, dignity, life, and divine friendship.

In the Gospel, we encounter Jesus in the wilderness. Where Adam fell in a garden of plenty, Christ stands firm in a desert of hunger. The devil’s strategy is similar: distort identity and provoke distrust. “If you are the Son of God…” Notice the attack is not on Jesus’ power, but on His relationship with the Father.

THE TEMPTATIONS ARE DEEPLY HUMAN:

Turn stones into bread – the temptation to reduce life to material satisfaction, to believe that survival is everything.

Throw yourself down – the temptation to manipulate God, to seek spectacular signs instead of trusting obedience.

All the kingdoms of the world – the temptation of power without sacrifice, glory without the cross.

Jesus resists not by argument or force, but by anchoring Himself in God’s word. He shows us that victory over temptation is not about willpower alone, but about fidelity and trust.

Saint Paul explains why this matters: through one man came sin; through one man comes grace. Lent, therefore, is not a season of guilt but of restoration. Christ relives the human story and rewrites it in obedience.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US?

Lent is our wilderness. It is a time when comforts are stripped away so that truth can emerge. Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are not religious burdens; they are spiritual training. They expose the false promises we cling to:

That we live by bread alone.
That God must prove Himself to us.
That success and possession define our worth.

Every temptation ultimately asks the same question: Do you trust God?

Jesus answers with His life. And He invites us to do the same.

As we begin this Lenten journey, let us not fear our weaknesses. The desert is not a place of defeat; it is where God forms hearts. If Christ overcame temptation, then our struggles too can become places of grace.

May this Lent renew our trust, strengthen our obedience, and deepen our dependence on God.

Amen.

28/01/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR AKEMA WEDNESDAY 28TH JANUARY 2026

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Today’s readings remind us that God always takes the first step.
In the first reading, David wants to build a house for God, but God tells him instead: I will build you a house. This shows that before we do anything for God, God is already working for us, shaping our lives with His promise and love.

In the Gospel, Jesus explains this truth through the Parable of the Sower. The seed represents God’s Word which is always good. The difference lies in the soil, which represents our hearts. Some hearts are closed, some are shallow, some are distracted. But the good soil listens, accepts the Word, and bears fruit.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, whose feast we celebrate today, was good soil. Through prayer, study, and humility, he allowed God’s Word to shape his mind and heart. That is why his life continues to nourish the Church centuries later.

The message for us is simple: God plants the seed; we prepare the soil.
If we open our hearts, listen attentively, and live what we hear, God’s Word will transform us and bear fruit in our families, parishes, and communities.

May the Lord make our hearts good soil, so that His Word may grow in us and bring abundant fruit. Amen.

26/01/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR AKEMA S/MONDAY, 26TH JANUARY 2026

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus

Today we celebrate Saints Timothy and Titus, faithful collaborators of Saint Paul and exemplary pastors of the early Church. They were not apostles by fame, but apostles by fidelity. Men who quietly carried the heavy responsibility of guiding communities in truth and love.

In the first reading, Paul reminds Timothy that his vocation is a gift from God, not something to be taken lightly. He urges him to “stir into flame the gift” he has received and not to be ashamed of the Gospel. This speaks to every baptized person. Each of us has received a gift: faith, grace, and a mission. Christianity is not meant to grow cold or mechanical; it must remain alive, burning with love for Christ.

The Gospel shows Jesus sending out disciples to bring peace, heal the sick, and proclaim that the Kingdom of God is near. Timothy and Titus did exactly this through preaching, correcting errors, encouraging perseverance, and building unity.

Their lives remind us that the Church grows not only through spectacular miracles, but through daily faithfulness: teaching sound doctrine, living upright lives, and loving God’s people sincerely.

Today, let us ask:
- Am I guarding and nurturing the faith entrusted to me?
- Am I a quiet witness to Christ in my family, workplace, and community?

May Saints Timothy and Titus intercede for us, that we may be courageous in faith, faithful in service, and constant in love.

Amen.

18/01/2026

HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A)
By
REV FR AKEMA JAMES TERNGU

Theme: “Behold the Lamb of God”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, after the great celebrations of Christmas, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord, the Church now leads us into Ordinary Time. This is not a time that is “ordinary” in the sense of being unimportant, but a season where the mystery of Christ is unfolded in the daily rhythm of our lives. Today’s readings present to us the identity and mission of Jesus and, by extension, our own identity and mission as his disciples.

At the heart of today’s Gospel (John 1:29–34) is the powerful testimony of John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This is the first time Jesus is publicly identified in this way, and it is rich with meaning.

1. Behold the Lamb of God:
The title “Lamb of God” would have resonated deeply with John’s audience. It recalls the Passover lamb whose blood saved Israel from death in Egypt, and the sacrificial lamb offered daily in the Temple for the sins of the people. By calling Jesus the Lamb of God, John declares that Jesus is the definitive sacrifice. He is the one who does not merely cover sin, but takes away the sin of the world.
This reminds us that our salvation is not something we earn by our own efforts. It is a gift, flowing from the self-giving love of Christ. Every time we attend Mass and hear these same words before Communion “Behold the Lamb of God” we are invited to recognize anew who Jesus truly is and what he has done for us.

2. A Mission for the World:
The first reading from Isaiah (49:3, 5–6) expands this vision. The servant of the Lord is not sent only to Israel, but is made “a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Jesus fulfills this prophecy perfectly. His mission is universal; no one is excluded from God’s saving love.

But this mission does not end with Jesus alone. By baptism, we are incorporated into Christ and share in his mission. As Christians, we are called to be light in our families, workplaces, communities, and society. In a world often marked by darkness of violence, injustice, corruption, and despair; we are sent to reflect the light of Christ through lives of integrity, compassion, and hope.

3. Called Saints, Living in Unity:
In the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:1–3), Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that we are “called to be holy.” Holiness is not reserved for a few extraordinary people; it is the vocation of every baptized person. To be holy means to belong to God and to allow our daily lives to be shaped by his grace.
Paul also emphasizes communion: we are called together with “all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith is personal, but never private. We belong to the Church, the Body of Christ, and our witness is strongest when we live in unity, charity, and mutual respect.

4. “Behold” — An Invitation to Faith
John the Baptist does not point to himself; he points to Jesus. “Behold” is more than a command to look, it is an invitation to believe, to trust, and to follow. Today, the Church echoes John’s words and asks each of us: Do we truly recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God in our lives? Do we allow him to take away our sins, our fears, and our self-centeredness?

Conclusion
Dear friends, today’s liturgy calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus the Lamb of God and to rediscover our identity as a people saved by his sacrifice and sent on mission. May we learn, like John the Baptist, to point others to Christ, not by loud words alone, but by lives that quietly and faithfully proclaim: “Behold the Lamb of God.”
Amen.

17/01/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR AKEMA SATURDAY, 17TH JANUARY 2026

Today's readings invite us to recognize God’s surprising ways of calling and healing in our daily lives. In the First Reading, Saul an ordinary young man is sent out on a simple errand to find lost donkeys, yet this very search leads him to a divine encounter with Samuel, who anoints him as Israel’s chosen leader. God’s plans often unfold quietly, through everyday tasks, calling us when we least expect it.

In the Gospel, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector despised by society, simply by saying, “Follow me.” Levi responds immediately and later welcomes Jesus into his home, where Jesus dines with many tax collectors and sinners. When criticized, Jesus reminds us that He came not for the self-righteous, but for those who recognize their need for mercy. A God of compassion and healing.

REFLECTION:
God’s call often comes in the midst of the ordinary and the unexpected. Like Saul and Levi, we are invited to trust God’s invitation, even when it leads us out of comfort or overcomes our prejudices. Jesus reaches out to those on the margins, showing us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. Today, let us listen attentively for God in the ordinary moments of our lives and allow His mercy to transform not only our hearts but also how we welcome others.

PRAYER:
Lord God,
You call us in the ordinary moments of life and meet us even when we feel unworthy.
As You called Saul in his searching and Levi in his brokenness,
call us anew today.
Teach us to respond generously when You say, “Follow me.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

16/01/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR AKEMA FRIDAY, 16TH JANUARY 2026

In the first reading, the people of Israel ask Samuel for a king “like all the other nations,” rejecting the Lord’s direct kingship over them. They want visible leadership, security, and human authority even though it may cost them their freedom and trust in God’s plan.

In today’s Gospel, we see four friends determined to bring their paralysed companion to Jesus. They didn’t wait for an easy path, they broke through a roof because of their faith. Jesus responded first not with physical healing, but with the deeper healing of forgiveness of sins, revealing His divine authority to heal both soul and body.

The connection between these readings:
They contrast false kingship where people trust in what looks powerful and familiar with the true Kingship of Christ, who heals and restores us from the inside out. Whereas Israel sought control and conformity, the paralytic’s friends showed bold, creative faith that brought their friend to true freedom.

Where is God calling us today?
God invites us to lay down our need for control and to bring our deepest needs namely: our sins, fears, and limitations to Jesus. Like the friends in the Gospel, we are called to bring others and ourselves to Christ with faith, trusting Him not only to heal us physically but to forgive and transform us spiritually.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me to recognise You as my true King. Teach me to trust Your authority, to bring others to You with bold faith, and to receive Your healing of both body and soul. Amen.

15/01/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR AKEMA THURSDAY, 15TH JANUARY 2026

Today’s Scriptures remind us of two contrasting ways of relating to God.

In the first reading, Israel brings the Ark of the Covenant into battle hoping it will guarantee victory, but instead suffers a crushing defeat and the Ark is captured. Their mistake wasn’t trusting in God but in reducing God’s presence to a kind of talisman, something to be used for their own ends rather than a source of true conversion, obedience, and faithfulness.

In the Gospel, a l***r approaches Jesus with deep humility, saying, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus is moved with compassion, touches him and heals him. This is a powerful sign of mercyand. Jesus then gives specific instructions: to show himself to the priest and to keep silent about the healing for the moment. But the man, joyful and grateful, goes and proclaims what happened, spreading the news.

REFLECTION:
The readings challenge us to examine the quality of our faith. Like ancient Israel, we can fall into a superficial faith that relies on religious objects, rites, or traditions as if they were guarantees of success or protection, without a corresponding conversion of heart. In contrast, the l***r models the right posture of faith: he approaches Jesus with humility and hope, trusting in God’s will and mercy. Yet even his response teaches something, our gratitude naturally overflows in joy and praise, even when it doesn’t follow the precise instructions we receive from the Lord.

May we learn to seek God not as a means to an end, but as the source of our life, approaching Him with trust and humility, and allowing His mercy to transform us deeply.

14/01/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR AKEMA WEDNESDAY, 14 JANUARY 2026

In the first reading, we meet Samuel, a young servant in the house of the Lord. The word of the Lord was rare, and at first Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice. Yet, when he learns to listen with openness, guided by his priest mentor Eli, he responds: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”. This marks the beginning of his journey as a prophet whose words will never fail.

The Gospel shows Jesus at work in Simon’s house: healing Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. People press in because of his power and compassion. Yet before dawn, Jesus seeks solitude to pray, reminding us that his mission flows from deep communion with the Father.

REFLECTION: Both readings invite us to listen and to respond. Samuel’s readiness to hear God teaches us that the Lord still calls today. We can hear the voice of God through silence, Scripture, prayer, the needs of others, and the wisdom of community. Jesus models how every act of service must be rooted in prayer: outreach without prayer can exhaust us, but prayer without outreach keeps us from living our calling. In your own life, you should ask yourself the following questions: Am I attentive to God’s voice? Do I seek quiet with Him before responding to the many needs around me? Let your day begin with a heartfelt: “HERE I AM, LORD.” SHALOM.

13/01/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FR. AKEMA. TUESDAY, 13 JAN., 2026

First Reading — 1 Samuel 1:9-20
We meet Hannah, a woman deeply distressed, pouring out her soul to the Lord in silent, heartfelt prayer. Misunderstood by Eli the priest, she honestly expresses her anguish and desire for a child. God remembers her, and in time her prayer is answered with the birth of Samuel.

Gospel — Mark 1:21-28
Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum and teaches with authority not like the scribes. In that same place, He confronts an unclean spirit, commanding it to be silent and leave. The people are amazed because Jesus’ word has power even over the forces of evil.

Today’s readings invite us to see two dimensions of God’s action:

1. God hears the prayer that comes from the heart. Hannah’s prayer wasn’t eloquent or perfect but was real. She laid her pain before God in all honesty, trusting that God sees and remembers. Her story reminds us that God listens especially when we come to Him with sincerity and vulnerability.

2. Jesus reveals divine authority that brings freedom. In the Gospel, Jesus’ teaching and His command over the unclean spirit show that God’s word doesn’t just console; it liberates. Christ speaks into the chaos of human life and restores wholeness.

Let us bring to God whatever weighs on our hearts. We may not use polished words, but like Hannah, with sincere trust that He hears and remembers us. And let us turn to Jesus, recognizing His authority in our lives, believing that He has the power to set us free from whatever unsettles our spirit.

Dear Lord, teach us to pray with honesty and trust, and to welcome Your authority with awe and love. Amen.

11/01/2026

HOMILY FOR THE SUNDAY OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
CYCLE A (MATTHEW 3:13–17)

BY
REV FR AKEMA JAMES TERNGU

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, the Church brings the Christmas season to its fulfillment with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus steps out of the hidden years of Nazareth and enters public ministry, not with power or spectacle, but by standing humbly among sinners at the River Jordan.

At first glance, this scene may trouble us. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Yet Jesus is the sinless Son of God. Why then does He ask to be baptized? John himself objects: “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” (Mt 3:14). Jesus’ answer is profound: “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

By this act, Jesus fully identifies Himself with humanity. He enters the waters not because He needs purification, but to sanctify the waters for us. He takes upon Himself our condition, foreshadowing the Cross where He will take upon Himself our sins. The baptism at the Jordan is therefore not about Jesus being cleansed; it is about us being claimed.

The Gospel tells us that when Jesus comes up from the water, “the heavens were opened.” This is a powerful sign. Since the fall of Adam, heaven had seemed closed. Now, in Christ, access to the Father is restored. The barrier between God and humanity is broken. Every time we witness a baptism, the Church proclaims this same truth: heaven is opened again for a new child of God.

We also see the full revelation of the Trinity. The Son stands in the Jordan. The Spirit descends like a dove. The voice of the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” What was hidden at Christmas is now revealed: Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet; He is the beloved Son of the Father, sent for our salvation.

This feast is not only about Jesus; it is also deeply about us. Through our own baptism, we were united with Christ. We were washed, not only with water, but with the Holy Spirit. We were claimed as sons and daughters of God. The words spoken over Jesus echo spiritually over each of us: “You are my beloved child.” Baptism gives us a new identity, a new dignity, and a new mission.

Yet baptism is not magic; it is a call. Jesus rises from the Jordan and immediately begins His mission of preaching, healing, and self-giving love. Likewise, our baptism calls us to live differently by rejecting sin, to walk in holiness, and to bear witness to Christ in our families, workplaces, and society. In a world wounded by injustice, corruption, and violence, baptized Christians are meant to be signs of God’s light and truth.

Dear brothers and sisters, today is an invitation to remember our baptism not merely as a past event, but as a present reality. Do we live as people who know they are beloved by God? Do our words and actions reflect our baptismal calling as priests, prophets, and kings in Christ?

As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, let us ask for the grace to renew our baptismal promises: to renounce sin, to resist evil, and to live as true children of God. May the Holy Spirit, who descended upon Christ at the Jordan, renew us today, so that the Father may also look upon us and say: “This is my beloved child, in whom I am well pleased.”

Amen.

04/01/2026

HOMILY FOR EPIPHANY SUNDAY
By
Rev Fr AKEMA James Terngu

Theme: “Rise up in splendor; your light has come.”
These words from the prophet Isaiah capture the heart of the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Epiphany means manifestation. It is the revelation of God’s glory in Christ, not to one people alone, but to all nations.

In the Gospel, we meet the Magi: foreigners, seekers, men from the East. They do not belong to Israel, yet they are the first to recognize and adore the newborn King. Their journey tells us something profound: God reveals himself to those who sincerely seek the truth, even beyond the boundaries we often set. In the celebration of Epiphany, we celebrate the following realities:

1. The Light That Attracts All Nations.
Isaiah foretells a day when nations shall walk by Israel’s light and kings by the brightness of her dawn. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in Christ. Jesus is not only the glory of Israel; he is the Light of the world. The star that guided the Magi symbolizes this divine light. The light that is gentle yet compelling, visible to those willing to look up.
In contrast, Herod and the religious leaders possess knowledge of the Scriptures but lack openness of heart. They know where the Messiah is to be born, yet they do not go to worship him. Knowledge without faith can become blindness, while humble searching can lead to true a encounter.

2. The Universality of Salvation
St Paul, in the Letter to the Ephesians, calls this revelation a “mystery”: that the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus. Epiphany celebrates this universal dimension of salvation. No race, culture, or nation is excluded.
For us in our African context, this is deeply meaningful. Christ does not erase cultures; he purifies and elevates them. Just as the Magi brought gifts from their own world to the newborn king namely gold, frankincense, and myrrh; we too are invited to bring our cultural riches, music, language, and symbols into sincere worship of Christ.

3. The Gifts We Bring
The gifts of the Magi speak eloquently:

- Gold for Christ the King. We are called to acknowledge his lordship in our lives?

- Frankincense for Christ the God. We must worship him in spirit and truth?

- Myrrh for Christ who will suffer. As Christians are we ready to follow him even by the way of the cross?

After encountering Christ, the Magi return home “by another way.” A true encounter with Jesus always changes our direction. Epiphany challenges us to ask: Have we truly met Christ, and has that encounter transformed how we live?

4. The Church as Light Today
Epiphany also reminds the Church of her mission: to be a light to the nations. We are not meant to hoard the light but to reflect it. In a world darkened by injustice, violence, corruption, and despair, Christians are called to shine through integrity, compassion, and courageous witnessing.

Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, Epiphany invites us to rise, to look up, and to journey. Christ continues to reveal himself today in the Word, in the Sacraments, and in the faces of the poor and the stranger. Like the Magi, may we be attentive to God’s signs, generous with our gifts, and ready to return to our daily lives transformed.

May the Light of Christ shine in our hearts, in our homes, and in our nation, now and always. Amen.

21/12/2025

HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – CYCLE A

By
Rev Fr AKEMA James Terngu

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, today, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Church invites us to stand at the threshold of Christmas. The waiting of Advent reaches its climax, and our gaze is fixed on a quiet but powerful figure in the Gospel: Saint Joseph, the just man.
The Gospel according to Matthew presents us with a human drama. Mary is found to be with child before they lived together. For Joseph, this was not only a personal shock but a social and religious crisis. According to the law, he had the right to expose Mary to public disgrace. Yet Scripture tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. His righteousness was not harsh legalism but compassionate obedience. He chose the path of mercy, deciding to divorce her quietly.
It is precisely at this moment of confusion and inner struggle that God speaks. Through the angel, Joseph hears words that change everything: “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”
Fear is often the greatest obstacle to God’s plan. Joseph’s fear was real, but it did not paralyze him. Instead, he listened. Advent teaches us this same lesson: God often comes to us not when everything is clear, but when we are willing to trust Him in the dark.
The angel reveals the mystery: “What is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.” This is the fulfillment of the prophecy we heard from Isaiah: “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”
Emmanuel: Not God above us only, or God beyond us, but God with us even in our uncertainty, in our family struggles, in our social tensions, in our fears about tomorrow. For us in Nigeria and in our world today, where insecurity, economic hardship, and anxiety are real, this promise is deeply consoling: God has not abandoned His people.
Joseph’s obedience is immediate and complete: “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” No argument. No delay. No conditions. Joseph teaches us that faith is not merely believing in God, but acting on His word, even when the future remains uncertain. He accepts to become the guardian of a mystery greater than himself. He accepts to name the child Jesus, which means “God saves.”
Saint Paul, in the second reading, reminds us that this Jesus is descended from David according to the flesh, yet established as Son of God in power. In Joseph, these two realities meet: the human lineage and the divine mission.
Dear brothers and sisters, as Christmas draws near, Advent asks us some important questions:

* Are we attentive to God’s voice amid our fears?

*Are we willing, like Joseph, to obey even when we do not fully understand?

* Have we made room in our hearts and homes for Emmanuel?

Christmas is not only about celebrating a birth long ago; it is about welcoming God-with-us today. Like Joseph, may we rise from our sleep; our spiritual indifference, our fear, our hesitation and do what the Lord commands.

May the silent obedience of Saint Joseph teach us trust, the faith of Mary inspire our surrender, and the coming of Emmanuel renew our hope.
Amen.

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