First Reading: Heb 2:14-18; Psalm: 105 R. v. 8a; Gospel: Mk 1:29-39 LOVING THE WORK ABOVE THE GAIN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Everyone is searching for you.” (Mk 1:37) It is always very difficult to leave a people or a place where you are loved. It is even more difficult when this fondness … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 5:14-21; Psalm: 149 R. v. 4a; Gospel: Jn 2:1-11 THE BEST WINE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP I suppose that those of us who love a glass of wine are familiar with the common axiom “The older the wine, the better.” Put differently, “Wine tastes better with age.” This axiom corresponds … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 5:5-13; Psalm: 147 R. v. 12a; Gospel: Mark 1:7-11 THE THREE WITNESSES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In the first reading of today, John pointed to three witnesses that testified that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; the Spirit, the water, and the blood. Jesus was baptised by John in … [Read more…]
ST JOHN NEUMANN, B. (Memorial) White John was ordained on 28 June 1836 and sent to Buffalo. There the parish priest, Father Pax, gave him the choice of the city of Buffalo or the rural area. John chose the more difficult country area. His parishioners were from many lands, but John knew twelve languages and … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 3:7-10; Psalm: 98 R. v. 3cd; Gospel: Jn 1:35-42 THE BEAUTY OF CHANGE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Change they say is the only constant thing in life. It is one of the inevitable experiences of life. Change is beautiful but depending on what kind of change. Growing up and getting … [Read more…]
THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS (Opt. Memorial) White First Reading: 1Jn 2:29-3:6; Psalm: 98 R. v. 3cd; Gospel: Jn 1:29-34 THE LORD OUR SALVATION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today is the optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. In the third century, the names Jesus Christ were abbreviated or shortened … [Read more…]
SS BASIL THE GREAT & GREGORY NAZIANZEN (Memorial) White Basil’s parents and four of his nine siblings were canonised including St Gregory of Nyssa. Basil studied in Constantinople and Athens with his friend Gregory of Nazianzen. He founded a school of oratory and law in Caesarea and was so successful and sought after as a … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 2:18-21; Psalm: 96 R. v. 11a; Gospel: Jn 1:1-18 A NEW BEGINNING WITH CHRIST OUR LIGHT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It was a strong belief for the Jews that a Messiah would come to save the world. But this belief was foreign to the Gentiles. As at the time John … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 2:3-11; Psalm: 96 R. v. 11a; Gospel: Lk 2:22-35 THE LIGHT OUR WORLD NEEDS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGNUONU, MSP In the gospel of today, the coming to the temple by Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus marked two celebrations: The purification of the mother and the offering of the first-born. … [Read more…]
THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS (Feast) Red First Reading: 1Jn 1:5-2:2; Psalm: 124 R. v. 7ab; Gospel: Mt 2:13-18 THE EVIL OF UNBRIDLED AMBITION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The story of the Holy Innocents reminds us of how cruel the heart of man can be. The length we can go to achieving our selfish … [Read more…]
