First Reading: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm: 100. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 15:18-21 PERSECUTION, THE NECESSARY MARK OF EVERY CHRISTIAN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It can be dangerous to be different. When one stands out in opposition to the crowd, such a person becomes a threat. Aristides of Athens was called ‘Aristides the just’ … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:22-3; Psalm: 57. R. v. 10a; Gospel: Jn 15:12-17 GOD’S WORD DON’T DISCRIMINATE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There was an issue to be addressed among the Gentile Christians in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. This time around, it wasn’t anything regarding circumcision. It was about desisting from food sacrificed to idols. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:7-21; Psalm: 96. R. v. 3; Gospel: Jn 15:9-11 WE ARE ONE FAMILY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP An unprecedented dispute arose in the Church in Antioch between the Jews and the Gentiles. The bone of contention was circumcision. Some narrow-minded Jews who considered it a taboo for the Jews to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:1-6; Psalm: 122. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 15:1-8 BEARING FRUIT IN CHRIST BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The vine is a very delicate plant. It needs a great deal of attention to get the best fruit out of it. It has two kinds of branches. The ones that bear fruit … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 14:19-28; Psalm: 145. R. v. 12a; Gospel: Jn 14:27-31a GOD’S PRESENCE: THE PEACE WE ALL NEED BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Ordinarily, there are certain things that guarantee the safety and peace of the human person. They are basically life and economic security. Once the safety of life is guaranteed and … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 14:5-18; Psalm: 115. R. v. 1ab; Gospel: Jn 14:21-26 LOVE IS HIS WORD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “I love you” is a very common statement in our world today. It is an endearment used often to announce one’s feeling of affection to another. It is easily heard but not often … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 14:21b-27; Psalm: 145. R. v. 1; 2nd Reading: Rev 21:1-5a; Gospel: Jn 13:31-33a.34-35 THE PARADOX OF THE CHRISTIAN LOVE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP John the Evangelist, the author of the Gospel of John, the three letters of John and the Book of Revelation, lived out his days on the island … [Read more…]
ST MATTHIAS, APOSTLE (Feast) Red First Reading: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Psalm: 113. R. v. 8; Gospel: Jn 15:9-17 ACCEPTING NEW CHALLENGES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Let his habitation become desolate and let there be one to live in it; and his office let another take.” (Ps 109:8) Have we ever taken over an … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm: 2. R. v. 7bc; Gospel: Jn 14:1-6 HEAVEN OUR TRUE HOME BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus saw very clearly how tensed and scared his disciples were because of his imminent death and departure. He then said to them “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 13:13-25; Psalm: 89. R. v. 2a; Gospel: Jn 13:16-20 THE SERVANT MASTER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP When we think of God becoming man, it sounds so simple. But when we reflect deeply on this, we would discover that it was the most humiliating choice God had to make in order … [Read more…]
