THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION First Reading: Is 52:13-53:12; Psalm: 31. R. v. Lk 23:46b; Second Reading: Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Gospel: Jn 18:1-19:42 DISMAS OR GESTAS? BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Every Good Friday is a day we celebrate the sacrifice of the cross; the day that Christ offered up his life on … [Read more…]
EVENING MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER First Reading: Ex 12:1-8. 11-14; Psalm: 116. R. v. 1Cor 10:16; Second Reading: 1Cor 11:23-26; Gospel: Jn 13:1-15 THE BETRAYER AT TABLE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It is difficult to forgive a friend who betrays us; and even more difficult to forgive when a friend plans evil … [Read more…]
First Reading: Num 6:22-27; Psalm: 67. R. v. 2a; Second Reading: Gal 4:4-7; Gospel: Lk 2:16-21 BEGINNING THE YEAR WITH MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The birth of Christ marked a new beginning in the history of salvation. It brought to an end the old years marred by the … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 15:1-6. 21:1-3; Psalm: 105. R. v. 7a. 8a; Second Reading: Heb 11:8. 11-12. 17-19; Gospel: Lk 2:22-40 THE MODEL FOR ALL FAMILIES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The feast of the holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is a feast celebrated on the first Sunday following the solemnity of the … [Read more…]
CHRISTMAS DAY First Reading: Isa 52:7-10; Psalm: 98. R. v. 3cd; Second Reading: Heb 1:1-6; Gospel: Jn 1:1-18 THE LIGHT WE NEED THIS CHRISTMAS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” … [Read more…]
First Reading: Isa 62: 1-5; Psalm: 89. R. v. 2a; Second Reading: Acts 13:16-17. 22-25; Gospel: Mt 1:1-25 AWAY FROM THE MANGER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP On this night, we celebrate the birth of the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. We read today from the account of Matthew how this remarkable event took place. … [Read more…]
THE PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (MEMORIAL) White The scripture tells us nothing about the hidden life of Mary or her presentation in the temple. But the seventh chapter of the Apocryphal gospel of James gives a detailed account of how Joachim and Ann, the parents of Mary brought her to the temple at … [Read more…]
DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA (Feast) White The foundation of the Lateran Basilica goes back to the time of Constantine the Emperor of Rome. The palace of the Laterani belonged then to Constantine’s wife Fausta. After Constantine’s conversion, he gave it to the Pope as his private residence and founded the Church of the Lateran … [Read more…]
First Reading: Rev 7:2-4. 9-14; Psalm: 24. R. v. 6a; Second Reading: 1Jn 3:1-3; Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a LIVING LIKE THE SAINTS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Do we want to be saints? Today is a special day we can take out time to reflect on this question as the Church celebrates the solemnity of … [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…]
