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…]
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…]
