First Reading: Ezk 34:11-12. 15-17; Psalm: 23. R. v. 1; Second Reading: 1Cor 15:20-26. 28; Gospel: Mt 25:31-46 THE KING OF THE POOR AND VULNERABLE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today is the thirty fourth Sunday and the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year, cycle A. Next Sunday, we shall be celebrating the … [Read more…]
First Reading: Pr 31:10-13. 19-20. 30-31; Psalm: 128. R. v. 1a; Second Reading: 1Thes 5:1-6; Gospel: Mt 25:14-30. THE EARMARKS OF A RESPONSIBLE CHRISTIAN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP To a contemporary reader, the parable of today’s gospel would come across as a mere a story told by Jesus to drive home a point. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ws 6:12-16; Psalm: 63. R. v. 2b; Second Reading: 1Thes 4:13-18; Gospel: Mt 25:1-13. THE WISE DECISION OF THE FIVE MAIDENS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In my seminary days, there was this common practice among seminarians to do things at the last minute. This was not the required formational practice but … [Read more…]
First Reading: Mal 1:14b-2:2b. 8-10; Psalm: 131. R. v.; Second Reading: 1Thes 2:7-9.13; Gospel: Mt 23:1-12. LIVING RIGHT WHEN LEADERS FAIL BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Leadership positions superficially look very attractive. Which is why to the lure … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ex 22:21-27; Psalm: 18. R. v. 2; Second Reading: 1Thes 1:5c-10; Gospel: Mt 22:34-40. LIVING THE GREAT COMMANDMENT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And … [Read more…]
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY First Reading: Is 45:1. 4-6; Psalm: 96. R. v. 7b; Second Reading: 1Thes 1:1-5b; Gospel: Mt 22:15-21. THE COIN OF CAESAR AND OUR TRIBUTE TO GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Every country has a legal tender largely featuring the portraits of selected historic individuals of the country; and in rare … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 25:6-10a; Psalm: 23. R. v. 6cd; Second Reading: Phil 4:12-14, 19-20; Gospel: Mt 22:1-14 THE CHURCH PREPARES US FOR THE HEAVENLY BANQUET BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The past three successive Sundays have been Sundays of parables; parables about the kingdom of God. Today’s parable of the Wedding Banquet makes it … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 5:1-7; Psalm: 80. R. v. Is 5:7a; Second Reading: Phil 4:6-9; Gospel: Mt 21:33-43 GOD DESIRES GOOD GRAPES, GOOD TENANTS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Vine is a deciduous plant. It is delicate and seasonal too. By spring, the nodes begin to swell and bud. Soon afterwards, it produces new leaves … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 18:25-28; Psalm: 24. R. v. 6a; Second Reading: Phil 2:1-11; Gospel: Mt 21:28-32 THE GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In the parable of today’s gospel, it is important to admit the obvious truth that none of the two sons is perfect or faultless. At first, neither of … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 55:6-9; Psalm: 145. R. v. 18a; Second Reading: Phil 1:20c-24. 27a; Gospel: Mt 20:1-16 GOD IS NOT FAIR BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “That’s not fair!” I bet that the above statement is readily what we use to express our dissatisfaction to perceived treatments of injustice. Part of what makes us … [Read more…]
