First Reading: Jer 30:1-2.12-15.18-22; Psalm: 102 R. v. 17; Gospel: Mt 14:22-36 GOD AND THE SINKING WIND BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There are things that are inevitable in life; things that must necessarily happen. If we are healthy, sickness is inevitable. Are we happy at the moment? Sadness will come some day. We … [Read more…]
ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI, B.D. (Memorial) White He was ordained at age 29 and was noted for his simple, clear style of preaching, and his understanding manner in the confessional. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Liguorians or Redemptorists). Alphonsus was appointed bishop in 1762, and worked to reform the clergy and revitalise … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 26:11-16. 24; Psalm: 69 R. v. 14; Gospel: Mt 14:1-12 THE VOICE OF REASON BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In Chinua Achebe’s novel “Things fall Apart”, the protagonist Okonkwo was afraid to be called a weakling like his father Unoka. When the village oracle decreed that Ikemefuna, the slave boy kept … [Read more…]
SAINTS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS (Memorial) White First Reading: Jer 26:1-9; Psalm: 69 R. v. 14c; Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 THE HOSPITABLE FAMILY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Customarily, on a day like this, the church celebrates the memorial of St Martha, the Lord’s disciple. However, on February 2, 2021, Pope Francis expanded this memorial … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 18: 1-6; Psalm: 146 R. v. 5a; Gospel: Mt 13:47-53 LIKE CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 15:10. 16-21; Psalm: 59 R. v. 17d; Gospel: Mt 13:44-46 HEAVENLY OR EARTHLY TREASURE? BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus’ analogy of the kingdom of God reveals how precious it is. It is so precious and valuable than any earthly thing. So, as sojourners here on earth, we may need to … [Read more…]
SS JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF THE B.V.M. (Memorial) White First Reading: Jer 14:17b-22; Psalm: 79 R. v. 9bc; Gospel: Mt 13:36-43 SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE: PARENTAL MODELS The co-existence of the wheat and the weed in the parable of Jesus is a proof that righteousness of life and meriting heaven is not an easy … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 7:1-11; Psalm: 84 R. v. 2; Gospel: Mt 13:24-30 WHEAT OR WEED? BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP If only we know the evil intentions of the heart of men, perhaps life would be safer and maybe less challenging too. But this is difficult to identify because in most cases, our disguise … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 2:1-3. 7-8. 12-13; Psalm: 36 R. v. 10a; Gospel: Mt 13:10-17 DISPOSITION TO REPENTANCE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 1:1. 4-10; Psalm: 71 R. v. 15ab; Gospel: Mt 13:1-9 IMPROVING ON THE GOOD FRUITS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty (Mt 13:8). Let us approach the gospel of today with more sense of optimism. … [Read more…]
