ST JOHN OF THE CROSS, P.D. (Memorial) White John of the Cross was born in Spain. He was a Carmelite friar and a reformer in the Carmelite Order along with Saint Teresa of Avila, which eventually led to the establishment of the Discalced, or barefoot, reform of the Carmelites. His reforms did not set well with some … [Read more…]
ST LUCY, V.M. (Memorial) Red Lucy (whose name means “bearer of light”) was a wealthy, young Christian who vowed her life to Christ. Her mother agreed with Lucy’s desire to live for God after several attempts to thwart it through an arranged marriage. Lucy rejected the pagan bridegroom, Paschasius, and he denounced Lucy as a … [Read more…]
First Reading: Num 24:2-7. 15-17a; Psalm: 25. R. v. 4b; Gospel: Mt 21:23-27 ACKNOWLEDGING TRUTH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGNUONU, MSP One remarkable thing about the ministration of Jesus was the extraordinary way it makes deep and lasting impression on the minds of his listeners. This explains the vast increase in the number of Jesus’ … [Read more…]
First Reading: Sir 48:1-4. 9-11b; Psalm: 80. R. v. 4; Gospel: Mt 17:10-13 DIVINE ATTENTIVENESS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP According to the prophet Malachi, Elijah the great prophet would return to prepare the way before the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 3:1 and 4:5). This was to be a sign to the people … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 48:17-19; Psalm: 1. R. v. Jn 8:12; Gospel: Mt 11:16-19 OBJECTIVITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP John the Baptist was known by the Jews for his ascetic life. The Pharisees and some group of people considered him abnormal and possessed by a demon because his life defied every normal way a … [Read more…]
ST AMBROSE B.D. (Memorial) White After the death of the bishop of Milan, Ambrose still an unbaptized catechumen was chosen to fill the office. On 7 December 374, he was baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated as bishop. He immediately gave away his wealth to the Church to help the poor as an example to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 40:1-11; Psalm: 96. R. v. Is 40:9-10; Gospel: Mt 18:12-14 LOOKING OUT FOR THE LOST SHEEP BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The ninety nine sheep that were left behind began to murmur and complain as they saw their shepherd returning from his search and carrying on his shoulder the lost one … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 35:1-10; Psalm: 85 R. v. Is 35:4f; Gospel: Lk 5:17-26 THE CROWD MENTALITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP One common feature of a crowd watching or listening to something fascinating is unguided selfishness. Everyone wants to see or pay close attention to whatever convened a large number of people to a … [Read more…]
ST FRANCIS XAVIER, P (Memorial) White He was a friend of St Ignatius of Loyola who convinced him to use his talents to spread the Gospel. He followed the spiritual exercise of St Ignatius and in 1534 joined his community, the Society of Jesus. They vowed poverty, chastity and apostolic service. For ten years he … [Read more…]
First Reading: Isa 29:17-24; Psalm: 27. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Mt 9:27-31 THE FAITH OF TWO BLIND MEN BY FR VALENTINE NNA,DI EGBUONU, MSP “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Mt 9:28). The gospel of today reports that two blind men begged Jesus for mercy from the street up to the … [Read more…]
