ST MARK, EVANGELIST (Feast) Red 1st Reading: 1Pt 5:5b-14; Psalm: 89. R. v. 2a; Gospel: Mk 16:15-20 SACRIFICING FOR THE GOSPEL BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today we celebrate the feast of St Mark, a great evangelist whose zeal for the gospel was rooted in his love for Christ. He is the author of … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 4:13-21; Psalm: 118. R. v. 21a; Gospel: Mk 16:9-15 HAVE A HUMBLE DOCILE HEART BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There are times we find ourselves caught in the middle of affirmation and denial. It could be that moment when we are very certain about the obvious outstanding quality of a person … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 4:1-12; Psalm: 118. R. v. 22; Gospel: Jn 21:1-14 DROPPING OUR OLD NETS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP When we don’t succeed in learning a new job, there is that tendency to return to the previous job we abandoned. Jesus was dead and gone and this seemed like the end of … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm: 8. R. v. 2ab; Gospel: Lk 24:35-48 LEAVING OUR SINFUL PAST BEHIND BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The healing of the lame at the beautiful gate attracted a lot of crowd as the lame man now cured clung to Peter. This was a man they were very familiar with … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 3:1-10; Psalm: 105. R. v. 3b; Gospel: Lk 24:13-35 GOD, THE HOPE OF THE HOPELESS A man who was lame from birth without any chance of walking ever since may have resigned to fate as a permanent cripple. Such was the condition of this lame man at the beautiful gate. He resorted … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 2:36-41; Psalm: 33. R. v. 5b; Gospel: Jn 20:11-18 STAY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP On hearing of the missing body of Jesus in the tomb from Mary, Peter and John hurried down to see for themselves. After confirming the news, they returned to their homes. Mary must have been disappointed … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Acts 2:14. 22-33; Psalm: 16. R. v. 1; Gospel: Mt 28:8-15 FACING THE TRUTH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus was killed based on false witness. He was accused of being an impostor, a blasphemer, and a rebel. All these were well planned out and executed by the chief priest and Pharisees. … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Is 50:4-9a; Psalm: 69. R. v.14c, b; Gospel: Mt 26:14-25 THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Is it I Master?” (Mt 26:25) When we don’t admit that we need help, we cannot really be helped. If the sick do not admit their sickness, they would not think of the … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Is 49:1-6; Psalm: 71. R. v.15ab; Gospel: Jn 13:21-33. 36-38 DON’T BE A BETRAYER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Betrayal can be agonizing and traumatic. In extreme cases it can be indelible in the heart of the betrayed. The betrayal of a stranger doesn’t hurt as much as the betrayal of a … [Read more…]
1st Reading: Is 42:1-7 ; Psalm: 27. R. v.1a; Gospel: Jn 12:1-11 EXTRAVAGANT LOVE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “I ask you one thing: do not tire of giving, but do not give your leftovers. Give until it hurts, until you feel the pain.” (St Mother Teresa of Calcutta). The ointment that Mary lavished … [Read more…]
