First Reading: Acts 18:23-28; Psalm: 47. R. v. 2b; Gospel: Jn 16:23b-28 PRAYING IN GOD’S NAME BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Name is synonymous to identity. It is a representation of a person. It co-exists with our personhood 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 THE STATE 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 … [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 HOLY SPIRIT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Paul’s approach in converting the people of Athens was similar to the approach of some early European missionaries who brought the Christian faith to Africa. The only difference … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:22-34; Psalm: 138. R. v. 7c; Gospel: Jn 16:5-11 THE POWER OF HYMNS TO GOD 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 … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:11-15; Psalm: 149. R. v. 4a; Gospel: Jn 15:26-16:4a THE FORTITUDE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Have we ever been worried about persecution or martyrdom and what our possible response would be like if such fate befell us? The thought of this alone is enough to make … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm: 100. R. v. 1; Gospel: Jn 15:18-21 PERSECUTION, THE NECESSARY MARK OF EVERY CHRISTIAN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It can be dangerous to be different. When one stands out in opposition to the crowd, such a person becomes a threat. Aristides of Athens was called ‘Aristides the just’ … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:22-3; Psalm: 57. R. v. 10a; Gospel: Jn 15:12-17 GOD’S WORD DON’T DISCRIMINATE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There was an issue to be addressed among the Gentile Christians in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. This time around, it wasn’t anything regarding circumcision. It was about desisting from food sacrificed to idols. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 15:7-21; Psalm: 96. R. v. 3; Gospel: Jn 15:9-11 WE ARE ONE FAMILY 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 BEARING FRUIT IN CHRIST 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 fruit … [Read more…]
First Reading: Acts 14:19-28; Psalm: 145. R. v. 12a; Gospel: Jn 14:27-31a GOD’S PRESENCE: THE PEACE WE ALL NEED BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Ordinarily, there are certain things that guarantee the safety and peace of the human person. They are basically life and economic security. Once the safety of life is guaranteed and … [Read more…]
