THE PASSION OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST (Memorial) Red First Reading: 1Cor 2:1-5; Psalm: 119. R. v. 97; Gospel: Mk 6:17-29 THE PERSECUTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It is very unfortunate that John the Baptist had to die this way. To be beheaded is a very painful death. And to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Sir 3:17-20.28-29; Psalm: 68. R. v.11b; Second Reading: Heb 12:18-19.22-24a; Gospel: Lk 14:1.7-14 THE SERENITY OF HUMILITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There are certain people who feel they are not where they deserve to be in life at the moment. It is not because they mismanaged and rued their chances in … [Read more…]
ST MONICA, (Memorial) White Monica, a Christian from birth was married by arrangement to a pagan official in North Africa who was much older than her. He had a violent temper which proved a constant challenge to Monica. Through Monica’s prayers, her husband got converted to the Catholic faith in 370. He died a year … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 1:17-25; Psalm: 33. R. v. 5b; Gospel: Mt 25:1-13 THE OIL OF SANCTITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus continues the warning of his second coming in the gospel of today. In life, there are certain things which cannot be obtained at the last minute. It is too late for a … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 1:1-9; Psalm: 145. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Mt 24:42-51 THE SHORTNESS OF TIME BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP A story was told of three apprentice devils that were planning to come to the earth to tempt and ruin souls as a way of gaining more experience in their training. They discussed … [Read more…]
ST BARTHOLOMEW, AP. (Feast) Red Nathaniel bar Tolomai (or Bartholomew) was probably a close friend of Philip as his name is always mentioned in the Gospels in connection with Philip. And it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. Nathaniel may have preached in Asia Minor, Ethiopia, India and Armenia, leaving early writings behind, and … [Read more…]
First Reading: 2Thess 2:1-3a. 14-17; Psalm: 96. R. v. 13b; Gospel: Mt 23:23-26 LIVING THE FAITH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today, Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because they were very meticulous about tithing and neglected mercy, justice and fidelity. They were diligent with matters that had little importance and completely ignore weightier … [Read more…]
THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Memorial) White First Reading: 2Thes 1:1-5.11b-12; Psalm: 96. R. v. 3; Gospel: Mt 23:13-22 THE QUEENSHIP OF MARY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated exactly seven days after her assumption into heaven. On October 11, 1954, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 66:18-21; Psalm: 117. R. v. Mk 16:15; Second Reading: Heb 12:5-7.11-13; Gospel: Lk 13:22-30 THE DISCIPLINE OF THE NARROW DOOR BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In my years in High school, one of the hottest arguments I occasionally had with my classmates outside lecture time was on faith and religion. For … [Read more…]
ST BERNARD, ABB. D. (Memorial) White Bernard joined the monastic community of Citeaux at the age of 20 and was followed by his five brothers, two uncles and some other 30 young friends. He became the abbot of the monastery of Clairvaux. He attended the second Lateran Council and fought the heresy of Albigensianism. He … [Read more…]
