ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, B.D. (Memorial) White He was ordained at age 29 and was noted for his simple, clear style of preaching, and his understanding manner in the confessional. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Liguorians or Redemptorists). Alphonsus was appointed bishop in 1762, and worked to reform the clergy and revitalise … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23; Psalm: 90. R. v. 1; Second Reading: Col 3:1-5.9-11; Gospel: Lk 12:13-21 THE VANITY OF WORRYING AND THE OPENNESS TO GRATITUDE AND GENEROSITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Every Sunday, I usually deliver a homily that approximately lasts within the time frame of eight to ten minutes. Within this … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 26:11-16. 24; Psalm: 69 R. v. 14; Gospel: Mt 14:1-12 THE VOICE OF REASON BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things fall Apart”, the protagonist Okonkwo was afraid to be called a weakling like his father Unoka. When the village oracle decreed that Ikemefuna, the slave boy kept … [Read more…]
SAINTS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS (Memorial) White First Reading: Jer 26:1-9; Psalm: 69 R. v. 14c; Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 THE HOSPITABLE FAMILY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Customarily, on a day like this, the church celebrates the memorial of St Martha, the Lord’s disciple. However, on February 2, 2021, Pope Francis expanded this memorial … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 18: 1-6; Psalm: 146 R. v. 5a; Gospel: Mt 13:47-53 LIKE CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 15:10. 16-21; Psalm: 59 R. v. 17d; Gospel: Mt 13:44-46 HEAVENLY OR EARTHLY TREASURE? BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus’ analogy of the kingdom of God reveals how precious it is. It is so precious and valuable than any earthly thing. So, as sojourners here on earth, we may need to … [Read more…]
SS JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF THE B.V.M. (Memorial) White First Reading: Jer 14:17b-22; Psalm: 79 R. v. 9bc; Gospel: Mt 13:36-43 SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE: PARENTAL MODELS The co-existence of the wheat and the weed in the parable of Jesus is a proof that righteousness of life and meriting heaven is not an easy … [Read more…]
ST JAMES THE APOSTLE (Feast) Red Jesus nicknamed James and John, the sons of Zebedee “Boanerges” meaning “sons of thunder” (Mk 3:17). They were natives of Galilee and fishermen when Jesus called them. James, John and Peter belonged to the three inner circles. They were with Jesus at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, Jairus’ daughter, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 18:20-32; Psalm: 138. R. v. 3a; Second Reading: Col 2:12-14; Gospel: Lk 11:1-13 THE INTERPLAY OF PRAYER AND DIVINE DECISIONS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Recently, I stumbled on a post on Facebook. It was a polemic against the Christian God who according to the writer is not spontaneous in punishing … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 7:1-11; Psalm: 84 R. v. 2; Gospel: Mt 13:24-30 WHEAT OR WEED? BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP If only we know the evil intentions of the heart of men, perhaps life would be safer and maybe less challenging too. But this is difficult to identify because in most cases, our disguise … [Read more…]
