First Reading: Deut 26:16-19; Psalm: 119. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Mt 5:43-48 SOME LITTLE LOVE IS ENOUGH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). One possible immediate reaction to any command that we judge impossible to do is rejection. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 18:21-28; Psalm: 130. R. v. 3; Gospel: Mt 5:20-26 ANGER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable … [Read more…]
First Reading: Esther 14:1. 3-4. 11. 13-14; Psalm: 138. R. v. 3a; Gospel: Mt 7:7-12 THE FAITH OF QUEEN ESTHER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Sometimes we are threatened by affliction in order to see the mighty works of God. So that when our fears are defeated and the impossible begins to be possible; … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm: 51. R. v. 19b; Gospel: Lk 11:29-32. PROCRASTINATING REPENTANCE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Procrastination is the thief of time. The reason why we find ourselves behind time in doing the things we ought to do is because we always felt we had enough time. And suddenly we see … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 55:10-11; Psalm: 34. R. v. 18b; Gospel: Mt 6:7-15 HOW TO PRAY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP According to psychologists, the reason why angry people shout at their offenders even when the person is very near to them is because whenever someone is angry, the person is psychologically far away from … [Read more…]
First Reading: Lev 19:1-2. 11-18; Psalm: 19. R. v. Jn 6:63c; Gospel: Mt 25:31-46 WORKS OF CHARITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The gospel reading of today is very precise and emphatic on what is required of us to gain eternal life on the Day of Judgement. It is not how much we’ve prayed … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Psalm: 51. R. v. 3a; Second Reading: Rom 5:12-19; Gospel: Mt 4:1-11 THE FRUITS OF LENTEN DISCIPLINE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP As we begin the first Sunday of Lent today, the Church presents to us in the gospel reading the temptation of Jesus by the tempter, the devil. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 58:9c-14; Psalm: 86. R. v. 11ab; Gospel: Lk 5:27-32 ACKNOWLEDGING OUR SINS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Lent is not a time to be judgmental. For when we judge, we become blind to our own sins. Lent is also not a time to condemn people but a time to reflect and … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 58:1-9a; Psalm: 51. R. v. 19bc; Gospel: Mt 9:14-15 THE MANUAL OF FASTING BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP A man bought a satellite dish. When he got home, he coupled and fastened it on a metal pole and connected the cable wires to the decoder and the television. But when he … [Read more…]
First Reading: Deut 30:15-20; Psalm: 1. R. v. 40:5ab; Gospel: Lk 9:22-25 ALMSGIVING BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP When we foresee evil, reason calls us to take proactive action before it materialises. No one sees impending danger and stands. But Jesus did. He knew he was going to be crucified and did nothing about … [Read more…]
