SS CORNELIUS, PP & CYPRIAN, B.M. (Memorial) Red Cornelius was the 21st Pope elected during the period when persecutions were so bad that papal ascension was often a death sentence. He worked for unity in a time of schism and apostasy. Cornelius fought Novatianism, a heresy that held that the lapsed Christian might not be … [Read more…]
OUR LADY OF SORROWS (Memorial) White First Reading: 1Cor 15:1-11; Psalm: 118. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 19:25b-27 THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It was at the wedding at Cana that Jesus first addressed his mother with the title ‘woman.’ At the foot of the cross he addressed his … [Read more…]
ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, B.D. (Memorial) White He is one of the most famous orators of his day. Because of his eloquent sermons, John earned the title “Chrysostom” (golden mouthed). John explained the scripture with clarity and they were always on point and sometimes went on for hours. He was made bishop of Constantinople in 398. … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 11:17-26. 33; Psalm: 40. R. v. 1Cor 11:26b; Gospel: Lk 7:1-10 THE POWER OF INTERCESSION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The centurion in the gospel of today was in great need. He wanted his servant to get well and he knew he could get what he wanted from Jesus. But there … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 10:14-22; Psalm: 116. R. v. 17a; Gospel: Lk 6:43-49 THE MOUTH SPEAKS FOR THE HEART BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “. . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Lk 6:45). Sometimes what we say betrays us. There are times we do not wish to divulge … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 9:16-19. 22b-27; Psalm: 84. R. v. 2; Gospel: Lk 6:39-42 IMPERFECTION: OUR COLLECTIVE FEATURE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The gospel of today reminds us that ‘imperfection’ is a similar feature which every one of us possesses. None of us is faultless. And this is why if we must correct, then … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 7:25-31; Psalm: 45. R. v. 11a; Gospel: Lk 6:20-26 THE CHRISTIAN STANDARD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In the world, the acquisition of wealth is very much desired. But in the beatitudes Jesus pronounced ‘woe’ to the rich and ‘blessedness’ to the poor. There is no satisfaction in hunger; but here … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 6:1-11; Psalm: 149. R. v. 4a; Gospel: Lk 6:12-19 CALLED AND CHOSEN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus wrote no book on his teachings. He knew his end would come and needed some men that he might write his message upon them. Jesus already had many followers (disciples), but he needed … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Cor 5:1-8; Psalm: 5. R. v. 9a; Gospel: Lk 6:6-11 THE URGENCY OF GOOD WORKS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus knew that the scribes and Pharisees would pick offence with him should he heal the man with a withered hand for they watched him closely. But this did not hinder him … [Read more…]
ST GREGORY THE GREAT, PP. D (Memorial) Gregory was a son of a wealthy Roman senator. He sold his possessions, turned his home into a Benedictine monastery, and used his money to build six monasteries in Sicily and Rome. He was a missionary to England and was elected Pope by unanimous acclamation on 3 September … [Read more…]
