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…]
First Reading: Joel 2:12-18; Psalm: 51. R. v. 3a; Second Reading: 2Cor 5:20-6.2; Gospel: Mt 6:1-6. 16-18 A CALL TO REPENTANCE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today is Ash Wednesday. It is a day we begin our 40 days Lenten journey to the desert. A journey of fasting prayer, and almsgiving. This retreat to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Sir 2:1-11; Psalm: 37. R. v. 5; Gospel: Mk 9:30-37 “WHAT WERE YOU DISCUSSING?” BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There are times we waste so much energy and time arguing about unnecessary things. We often do this when we want to inflate our ego or to prove that we are better than … [Read more…]
First Reading: Sir 1:1-10; Psalm: 93. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Mk 9:14-29 FAITH, PRAYER AND FASTING BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Have we ever found ourselves in a fix and desperately needed someone to help us out? If we have, we may begin to understand the feelings of Jesus’ disciples in the gospel of … [Read more…]
First Reading: Lev 19:1-2.17-18; Psalm: 103. R. v. 8a; Second Reading: 1Cor 3:16-23; Gospel: Mt 5:38-48 SEEKING DIVINE PERFECTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:48). For the past three Sundays now, we have been reading from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 11:1-7; Psalm: 145. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Mk 9:2-13 FAITH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The world’s logic of belief is in contrast to the Christian perspective. In our world’s perspective, we have to see in order to believe. But in the Christian standard, we have to believe in order to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 11:1-9; Psalm: 33. R. v. 12b; Gospel: Mk 8:34-9:1 THE CROSS IS LOVE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The call to true discipleship necessitates that we carry our crosses daily and follow Christ. Ordinarily, we are always quick to thinking that this involves only persecution or suffering for the sake of … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 9:1-13; Psalm: 102. R. v. 20b; Gospel: Mk 8:27-33 THE IDENTITY OF JESUS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ (Mark 8:29) This question of Jesus if directed to us today would attract many appealing and interesting answers. Such as, “The … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 8:6-13. 20-22; Psalm: 116. R. v. 17a; Gospel: Mk 8:22-26 FAITH AND GRATITUDE AMIDST UNCLARITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The healing of the blind man in today’s gospel was unprecedented compared to the several healings performed by Jesus. Unlike other healing miracles of Jesus, this very one took a gradual … [Read more…]
