First Reading: Acts 18:23-28; Psalm: 47. R. v. 8a; Gospel: Jn 16:23b-28 HIS NAME IS HOLY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Name is synonymous to identity. It is the representation of a person. It co-exists with our identity 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 GOVERNMENT 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 their … [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 SPIRIT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Paul’s approach in converting the people of Athens was contextual. Paul observed that the Athenians erected an altar with an inscription “To an unknown god.” Leveraging on this, he … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:22-34; Psalm: 138. R. v. 7c; Gospel: Jn 16:5-11 THE POWER OF HYMNS 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 music can … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:11-15; Psalm: 149. R. v. 4a; Gospel: Jn 15:26-16:4a TRUST IN THE HOLY SPIRIT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Have we ever been worried about persecution or martyrdom and what our possible responses would be like if such fate befell us? The thought of this alone is enough to make us … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm: 100. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 15:18-21 THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CHRISTIAN MARK BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It can be dangerous to be different. When we stand out in opposition to the crowd, we become a threat to them. Aristides of Athens was called ‘Aristides the just’ yet … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:22-31; Psalm: 57. R. v. 10a; Gospel: Jn 15:12-17 THE WISDOM OF THE APOSTLES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There was an issue to be addressed among the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. This time around it wasn’t anything regarding circumcision. It was about desisting from food sacrificed to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:7-21; Psalm: 96. R. v. 3; Gospel: Jn 15:9-11 ONE IN CHRIST JESUS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP An unprecedented dispute arose in the Church in Antioch between the Jews and the Gentiles. The bone of contention was circumcision. Some narrow-minded Jews who considered it a taboo for the Jews to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:1-6; Psalm: 122. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 15:1-8 ABIDING WITH THE TRUE VINE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The vine is a very delicate plant. It needs a great deal of attention to get the best fruit out of it. It has two kinds of branches. The ones that bear … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 14:19-28; Psalm: 145. R. v. 12a; Gospel: Jn 14:27-31a HIS GIFT OF PEACE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Three years was enough for Jesus to establish a strong relationship with his disciples. These men who followed Jesus wherever he went came to see their master as their source of joy and … [Read more…]
