SS CHARLES LWANGA AND COMPANIONS, M. (Memorial) Red First Reading: Acts 25:13b-21; Psalm: 103. R.v. 19a; Gospel: Jn 21: 15-19 LIVING THE MARTYRS’ FAITH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The story of the martyrs of Uganda is a very touching one. It is a story that is even more relevant in our depraved world … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Psalm: 16. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 17:20-26 CHERISHING OUR ONENESS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP A lot of people believe religion is the bane of the society. People say this because of the many wrong doings prevalent in different churches and among different pastors. But a re-evaluation of … [Read more…]
ST JUSTIN, M. (Memorial) Red He was born of pagan Greek parents in Samaria around 100AD. He read rhetoric, poetry and history and studied various schools of philosophy. At Ephesus, he was impressed by the steadfastness of the Christian martyrs and converted to Christianity. He opened a school of Christian philosophy and was arrested with … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 19:1-8; Psalm: 68. R. v. 33a; Gospel: Jn 16:29-33 JESUS KNOWS HOW VERY FRAGILE WE ARE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus was very good at using parables and images in speaking to his disciples about the kingdom of God. Like the image of a shepherd, a vine, and of a … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 18:23-28; Psalm: 47. R. v. 2b; Gospel: Jn 16:23b-28 PRAYING IN GOD’S NAME BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Name is synonymous to identity. It is a representation of a person. It co-exists with our personhood such that even when we are absent and our names are mentioned, our presence is clearly … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 18:9-18; Psalm: 47. R. v. 8a; Gospel: Jn 16:20-23a THE CHURCH AND THE STATE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Catholic Church is one of the religious institutions that promote respect and obedience to civil laws that are not contrary to moral principles. The Church always encourages her faithful to exercise … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 17:15. 22-18:1; Psalm: 148. R. v. 5a; Gospel: Jn 16:12-15 CONVERSION IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Paul’s approach in converting the people of Athens was similar to the approach of some early European missionaries who brought the Christian faith to Africa. The only difference … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:22-34; Psalm: 138. R. v. 7c; Gospel: Jn 16:5-11 THE POWER OF HYMNS TO GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The common axiom “Music is food for the soul” is very true. But to be more precise, it is preferable to say “Good music is food for the soul.” A good … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:11-15; Psalm: 149. R. v. 4a; Gospel: Jn 15:26-16:4a THE FORTITUDE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Have we ever been worried about persecution or martyrdom and what our possible response would be like if such fate befell us? The thought of this alone is enough to make … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm: 100. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 15:18-21 PERSECUTION, THE NECESSARY MARK OF EVERY CHRISTIAN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It can be dangerous to be different. When one stands out in opposition to the crowd, such a person becomes a threat. Aristides of Athens was called ‘Aristides the just’ … [Read more…]
