First Reading: Phil 1:18b-26; Psalm: 42. R. v. 3ab; Gospel: Lk 14:1. 7-11 HUMILITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 14:11) Adaora was a very good dancer. She was the leader of her dancing troupe who would not … [Read more…]
SS SIMON AND JUDE, APP. (Feast) Red Simon is named in the lists of the apostles. He is called the Zealot; a fanatical nationalist. Jude (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot), also called Thaddeus meaning “Courageous”, was the brother of James the Lesser. Saint Jude is often depicted carrying a circular image of Christ, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 6:10-20; Psalm: 144. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Lk 13:31-35 REJECTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Some Pharisees came, and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” Does this sound like they cared? We may easily think so. But in truth, these men really do not … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 6:1-9; Psalm: 145. R. v. 13c; Gospel: Lk 13:22-30 THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus warns us today that God will shock some of us who presume they have a place in God’s kingdom on the last day. This warning was originally directed to the Jews of … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 5:21-33; Psalm: 128. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Lk 13:18-21 THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The magic of yeast on dough is very interesting to watch. Dough, a thick malleable mixture of flour and liquid can rise in size when yeast is added to it. This rising takes … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 4:32-5:8; Psalm: 1. R. v. Eph 5:1; Gospel: Lk 13:10-17 THE GOD WHO CARES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The woman in the gospel of today had lived for eighteen years bent over. She probably had prayed and sought medical help but never got better. She was held bound by her … [Read more…]
First Reading: Sir 35:12c-14.16-18b; Psalm: 34. R. v. 7a; Second Reading: 2Tim 4:6-8.16-18; Gospel: Lk 18:9-14 THE INTROSPECTIVE TAX COLLECTOR BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In retrospect, whenever we went for night prayers back in my seminary days, we were always required to observe a five minutes silence for examination of conscience immediately after … [Read more…]
ST JOHN PAUL II, Pp. (Memorial) White John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Poland, was pope of the Catholic Church from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX who served for nearly 32 years. During his 27 … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 4:1-6; Psalm: 24. R. v. 6; Gospel: Lk 12 54-59 DISCERNING THE SIGNS OF TIME BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Lk 12:56) Can we see … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 3:14-21; Psalm: 33. R. v. 5b; Gospel: Lk 12 49-53 THE TRUTH DIVIDES TO UNITE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP How would we feel and react when certain truths that could cost us our jobs or happiness are said? Or when certain truths revealing our secret dealings and capable of denying … [Read more…]
