ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA, P. (Memorial) White Ignatius was born in 1491 at Loyola, Spain. He was wounded in a war which left him partially crippled for life. During his recuperation the only books he had access to were The Golden Legend, a collection of The Lives of the Saints, and The Life of Christ. These books changed … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Kgs 3:5. 7-12; Psalm: 119. R. v. 97a; Second Reading: Rm 8:28-30; Gospel: Mt 13:44-52 THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND OUR VALUE QUOTIENT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The gospel of today is embellished with three rich parables. The first two are essentially similar but differ a bit narratively and in character. … [Read more…]
SAINTS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS (Memorial) White First Reading: Ex 24:3-8; Psalm: 50 R. v. 14a; Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 THE BETHANY FAMILY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP. Customarily, on this day the church celebrates the memorial of Saint Martha, the Lord’s disciple. But on February 2, 2021, Pope Francis expanded this memorial to include … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ex 20:1-17; Psalm: 19 R. v. Jn 6:68c; Gospel: Mt 13:18-23 REMEMBER THE WONDERS OF THE LORD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” (Ex 20:2). The greatest miracle in the history of … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ex 19:1-2. 9-11. 16-20b; Psalm: Dn. 3 R. v. 29b; Gospel: Mt 13:10-17 INDISPOSITION 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, and … [Read more…]
SS JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF THE B.V.M. (Memorial) White First Reading: Ex 16:1-5. 9-15; Psalm: 78 R. v. 24b; 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). We can … [Read more…]
ST JAMES THE APOSTLE (Feast) Red Jesus nicknamed James and John, the sons of Zebedee “Boanerges” meaning “sons of thunder” (Mk 3:17). They were natives of Galilee and fishermen when Jesus called them. James, John and Peter belonged to the three inner circles. They were with Jesus at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, Jairus’ daughter, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ex 14:5-18; Psalm: Ex 15. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Mt 12:38-42 SINCERE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The scribes and Pharisees who listened to Jesus in today’s gospel were purposely out to ridicule him. Although it was obvious that Jesus was the Messiah and that his teachings were divinely inspired; yet … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ws 12:13. 16-19; Psalm: 86. R. v. 5a; Second Reading: Rm 8:26-27; Gospel: Mt 13:24-43 COUNTER-DISTRUPTORS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP On the evening of Wednesday the 19th of July 2023, precisely four days ago; a very loud bang unsettled the city of Johannesburg Central Business District. It was an explosion that … [Read more…]
ST MARY MAGDALENE (Feast) White First Reading: Songs of Sol 3:1-4ab; Psalm: 63 R. v. 2b; Gospel: Jn 20:1-2. 11-18. MARY’S LOVE AND FAITH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The first reading of today is very expressive. It expresses a strong emotional feeling of love that metamorphosed into an action of a deep search … [Read more…]
