First Reading: Gen 9:1-13; Psalm: 102. R. v. 20b; Gospel: Mk 8:27-33 THE IDENTITY OF JESUS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ (Mark 8:29) This question of Jesus if directed to us today would attract many appealing and interesting answers. Such as, “The … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 8:6-13. 20-22; Psalm: 116. R. v. 17a; Gospel: Mk 8:22-26 FAITH AND GRATITUDE AMIDST UNCLARITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The healing of the blind man in today’s gospel was unprecedented compared to the several healings performed by Jesus. Unlike other healing miracles of Jesus, this very one took a gradual … [Read more…]
SS CYRIL, MONK & METHODIUS, B (Memorial) White These two Greek brothers ultimately became missionaries, teachers, and patrons of the Slavic peoples. After a brilliant course of studies, Cyril refused the governorship and withdrew to a monastery to join his brother Methodius. Cyril died in Rome 50 days after taking the monastic habit. Methodius continued … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 4:1-15. 25; Psalm: 50. R. v. 14a; Gospel: Mk 8:11-13 WHERE IS YOUR BROTHER/SISTER? BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Where is Abel your brother?” (Gen 4:9). Abel loved and trusted his brother Cain. If this was not the case, Abel would not have followed Cain to the field when Cain invited … [Read more…]
First Reading: Sir 15:15-20; Psalm: 119. R. v. 1b; Second Reading: 1Cor 2:6-10; Gospel: Mt 5:17-37 THE ESSENCE OF THE COMMANDMENT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Laws are made not basically to guide but to form us.” (Anonymous) When God gave Israel the Ten Commandment, they understood it as a divine canon meant only … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 3:9-24; Psalm: 90. R. v. 1; Gospel: Mk 8:1-10 NO CONTRITION, NO MERCY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9) When God called on Adam after Adam ate from the tree which God forbade him to eat, he asked Adam, “Where are you?” This question does not imply … [Read more…]
ST SCHOLASTICA, V. (Memorial) White Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year, outside the monastery gate. In one of her visits, she stayed with Benedict talking from dusk to dawn. One day while Benedict was in his … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 2:18-25; Psalm: 128. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Mk 7:24-30 FAITH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The gospel reading of today began by reporting that Jesus arose and went away into the region of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus was actually walking away from his unbelieving Jewish people. The region … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 2:4b-9. 15-17; Psalm: 104. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Mk 7:14-23 DEALING WITH THE SINS WITHIN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus reminds us in the gospel of today that what defiles a man is what comes out from the heart of man. He then went further and enumerated a few sins … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 8:1-20-2:4a; Psalm: 8. R. v. 2ab; Gospel: Mk 7:1-13 THE DIVINE MASTER PLANNER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Our God is indeed a master planner. Reflecting on the manner in which God created the universe; there is no doubt it was the work of a perfect architect. Before God created anything … [Read more…]
