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…]
First Reading: Sir 27:30-28:7; Psalm: 103. R. v. 8; Second Reading: Rm 14:7-9; Gospel: Mt 18:21-35 ONLY THE CONTRITE FORGIVES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Kindness radiates. It subdues our egoism to see in others our very selves; beneficiaries of undeserved charity now compelled to requite.” (Anonymous). Kindness or generosity has a very powerful … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 33:7-9; Psalm: 95. R. v. 7d, 8a; Second Reading: Rm 13:8-10; Gospel: Mt 18:15-20 CALLED TO BE SENTINELS OF LOVE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP ‘Thus says the Lord: “You, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel.’” (Ezk 33:7). The city of ancient Israel was … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 20:7-9; Psalm: 63. R. v. 2ab; Second Reading: Rm 12:1-2; Gospel: Mt 16:21-27 WHEN GOD CHOSE TO BE VULNERABLE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “At that time: Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 22:19-23; Psalm: 138. R. v. 8bc; Second Reading: Rm 11:33-36; Gospel: Mt 16:13-20 THE FAITH WE PROFESS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Why are you Christian? Why are you Catholic? Why do you believe that there is salvation in Jesus Christ? Are we really convinced of our faith? If we thought … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 56:1. 6-7; Psalm: 67. R. v. 4; Second Reading: Rm 11:13-15. 29-32; Gospel: Mt 15:21-28 GOD’S BOUNDLESS LOVE AND MERCY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP If there is any passage in all of the four gospels that raises some doubts as to the indiscrimination of Jesus; it is the gospel passage … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Kgs 19:9a. 11-13a; Psalm: 85. R. v. 7; Second Reading: Rm 9:1-5; Gospel: Mt 14:22-33 DARE TO BELIEVE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Some years ago, it was reported that a pastor got drowned in the West Coast of Africa in his attempt to re-enact Jesus’ miracle of walking on the sea. … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Kgs 3:5. 7-12; Psalm: 119. R. v. 97a; Second Reading: Rm 8:28-30; Gospel: Mt 13:44-52 THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND OUR VALUE QUOTIENT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The gospel of today is embellished with three rich parables. The first two are essentially similar but differ a bit narratively and in character. … [Read more…]
