First Reading: Sir 48:1-4. 9-11b; Psalm: 80. R. v. 4; Gospel: Mt 17:10-13 DIVINE ATTENTIVENESS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP According to the prophet Malachi, Elijah the great prophet would return to prepare the way before the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1 and 4:5). This was to be a sign to the people … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 48:17-19; Psalm: 1. R. v. Jn 8:12; Gospel: Mt 11:16-19 OBJECTIVITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP John the Baptist was known by the Jews for his ascetic life. The Pharisees and some group of people considered him abnormal and possessed by a demon because his life defied every normal way a … [Read more…]
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Solemnity) White First Reading: Gen 3:9-15. 20; Psalm: 98. R. v. 1ab; Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6. 11-12; Gospel: Lk 1:26b-38 MARY’S ‘YES’ TO GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Church began the celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the year 1854. Pope Pius IX made this infallible statement … [Read more…]
ST AMBROSE B.D. (Memorial) White After the death of the bishop of Milan, Ambrose still an unbaptized catechumen was chosen to fill the office. On 7 December 374, he was baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated as bishop. He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church to help the poor as an example to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 40:1-11; Psalm: 96. R. v. Is 40:9-10; Gospel: Mt 18:12-14 LOOKING OUT FOR THE LOST SHEEP BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The ninety nine sheep that were left behind began to murmur and complain as they saw their shepherd returning from his search and carrying on his shoulder the lost one … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 35:1-10; Psalm: 85 R. v. Is 35:4f; Gospel: Lk 5:17-26 THE CROWD MENTALITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP One common feature of a crowd watching or listening to something fascinating is unguided selfishness. Everyone wants to see or pay close attention to whatever convened a large number of people to a … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 11:1-10; Psalm: 72. R. v. 7; Second Reading: Rom 15:4-9; Gospel: Mt 3:1-12 THE BAPTIST’S CLOTHING BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Succinctly, advent is a season of spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord. But the message of advent would be incomplete without … [Read more…]
ST FRANCIS XAVIER, P (Memorial) White He was a friend of St Ignatius of Loyola who convinced him to use his talents to spread the Gospel. He followed the spiritual exercise of St Ignatius and in 1534 joined his community, the Society of Jesus. They vowed poverty, chastity and apostolic service. For ten years he … [Read more…]
First Reading: Isa 29:17-24; Psalm: 27. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Mt 9:27-31 THE FAITH OF TWO BLIND MEN BY FR VALENTINE NNA,DI EGBUONU, MSP “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Mt 9:28). The gospel of today reports that two blind men begged Jesus for mercy from the street up to the … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 26:1-6; Psalm: 118. R. v. 26a; Gospel: Mt 7:21. 24-27 DOING THE WILL OF GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt 17:21). Words do not always … [Read more…]
