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…]
ST LUKE, EVANGELIST B.M. (Feast) Red First Reading: 2Tim 4:10-17ab; Psalm: 145. R. v. 12a; Gospel: Lk 10 1-9 CHRIST ABOVE ALL THINGS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP St Luke hails from Antioch; a city known for its high learning. He was a physician and a learned man. Little wonder he wrote the gospel … [Read more…]
First Reading: Dan 7:9-10. 13-14; Psalm: 138. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Jn 1:47-51 THE SERVICES OF THE ARCHANGELS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Angels are celestial spiritual beings created on a higher order with intelligence and will. They are personal and immortal creatures. We have ranks of angels known as the “Nine Choirs of … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 4:1-7. 11-13; Psalm: 19. R. v. 5a; Gospel: Mt 9:9-13 GOD SEES BEYOND OUR WEAKNESSES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Matthew was a publican because the taxes he collected were public funds. His people hated him not just because he was a tax collector but also because he chose to work … [Read more…]
First Reading: Nm 21:4b-9; Psalm: 78. R. v. 7b; Second Reading: Phil 2:6-11; Gospel: Jn 3:13-17 THE GLORY OF THE CROSS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The story of Jesus culminated in his death on the cross. From the secular analysis, that was the end of him, his gospel story, and his popularity. In … [Read more…]
First Reading: Mic 5:2-5a; Psalm: 13. R. v. Is 61:10a; Gospel: Mt 1:1-16. 18-23 MARY, A BLESSING TO ALL GENERATIONS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There is no account of Mary’s birth in the Bible. The only account of her birth was recorded in the Protoevangelium of James (an apocryphal gospel written about A.D … [Read more…]
First Reading: Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a. 10ab; Psalm: 45. R. v. 10b; Second Reading: 1Cor 15:20-27; Gospel: Lk 1:39-56 MARY’S PRESERVATIVE REDEMPTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. The Assumption of Mary which is an old tradition in the … [Read more…]
ST LAWRENCE, DEAC, M. (Feast) Red Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the Church in Rome and was martyred under the Emperor Valerian. While he was in prison awaiting execution, he saw that as an opportunity to disperse the Church’s wealth to the poor before the Roman authorities could lay hands on them. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Dn 7:9-10. 13-14; Psalm: 97. R. v. 1a. 9a; Second Reading: 2Pt 1:16-19; Gospel: Mt 17:1b-9 RELISHING ON THE MOUNTAINTOP ENCOUNTER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The transfiguration story is a very familiar passage in the scriptures. It is one of those passages that we can easily pre-empt because we are all … [Read more…]
