THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION First Reading: Is 52:13-53:12; Psalm: 31. R. v. Lk 23:46b; Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Gospel: Jn 18:1-19:42 TRUTH AND THE EVIL OF GOOD FRIDAY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP One of the most shocking and gory media episodes in past years is the gruesome murder of the … [Read more…]
EVENING MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER First Reading: Ex 12:1-8. 11-14; Psalm: 116. R. v. 1Cor 10:16; Second Reading: 1Cor 11:23-26; Gospel: Jn 13:1-15 BROKEN FOR US BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP ‘. . . and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “This is my … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 50:4-9a; Psalm: 69. R. v.14c, b; Gospel: Mt 26:14-25 THE EVIL OF PRESUMPTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Is it I Master?” (Mt 26:25) When we don’t admit that we need help, we cannot really be helped. If the sick do not admit their sickness, they would not think of going … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 49:1-6 ; Psalm: 71. R. v.15ab; Gospel: Jn 13:21-33. 36-38 WHEN THE GRACE OF GOD BECKONS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Betrayal can be agonizing and traumatic. In extreme cases it can be indelible in the heart of the betrayed. The betrayal of a stranger doesn’t hurt as much as the … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 42:1-7; Psalm: 27. R. v.1a; Gospel: Jn 12:1-11 INVALUABLE THANKSGIVING BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem six days before the Passover and his subsequent death. When he came to Bethany, he decided to break his journey and stopped by the house of Lazarus. Recall that … [Read more…]
Before Procession: Mt 21:1-11 First Reading: Is 50:4-7; Psalm: 22. R. v. 2a; Second Reading: Phil 2:6-11; Passion Narrative: Mt 26:14-27:66 THE JOYFUL ENTRY, THE PAINFUL BETRAYAL BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today is the sixth Sunday of Lent. And in every sixth Sunday of Lent the Church celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 37:21-28; Psalm: Jer 31. R. v. 10d; Gospel: Jn 11:45-57 THE DECISIVE MOMENT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The arrest and death of Jesus was now imminent. The chief priests and the Pharisees were plotting. As they went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast, they were no longer much concerned about … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 20:10-13; Psalm: 18. R. v. 6; Gospel: Jn 10:31-42 WHEN TRUTH BECKONS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus has never put in so much effort in converting a people as much as he did in converting the Jews. We read in the gospel of today how he tried to convince his … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 17:3-9; Psalm: 105. R. v. 8a; Gospel: Jn 8:51-59 DEEPER THAN WORDS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Listening to the gospel of today, it was very obvious that the understanding of the Jews were at variance with the divine wisdom of Jesus. Jesus was speaking of eternal realities using human terms … [Read more…]
First Reading: Dan 3:14-20. 24-25. 28; Psalm: Dan 3. R. v. 29b; Gospel: Jn 8:31-42. TRUE FREEDOM BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP True freedom is the giving up of one’s freedom. This may sound practically incorrect but it is obviously true for any true believer. We know that earthly and heavenly mores are opposed … [Read more…]
