THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (Feast) White First Reading: Mal 3:1-4; Psalm: 24. R. v. 10bc; Second Reading: Heb 2:14-18; Gospel: Lk 2:22-40 CHRIST THE LIGHT OF THE NATIONS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The feast of the presentation of the Lord is a feast that occurs forty days after the birth of Christ. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb12:4-7. 11-15; Psalm: 103. R. v. 17ab; Gospel: Mk 6:1-6 THE DANGER OF FAMILIARITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” (Mk 6:3). How much we … [Read more…]
ST JOHN BOSCO, P. (Memorial) White John Bosco was ordained in 1841. He worked with youth, finding places where they could meet, play and pray. He founded the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1859, priests who work with and educate boys under the protection of Our Lady Help of Christians, and Saint Francis de … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 11:32-40; Psalm: 31 R. v. 25; Gospel: Mk 5:1-20 THE POWER OF DIVINE PRESENCE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “. . . for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength … [Read more…]
First Reading: Zep 2:3.3:12-13; Psalm: 146. R. v. Mt 5:3; Second Reading: 1Cor 1:26-31; Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a THE BEATITUDE VIA NEGATIVA BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In the Christian tradition, the via negativa is a style of argument whereby we reach the knowledge of God by considering what God is not. Since God is … [Read more…]
ST THOMAS AQUINAS, P.D. (Memorial) White He was born in Lombardy near Naples. He joined the mendicant Dominican friars in 1244. He studied in Paris from 1245-1248 under Saint Albert the Great and was ordained in 1250. He taught Theology at University of Paris where he won his doctorate. One of his famous works was … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 10:32-39; Psalm: 37 R. v. 39a; Gospel: Mk 4:26-34 GOD’S DIVINE ROLE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus reminds us today how essentially involved God is in our daily activities. Jesus explained this using the image of a sower. A sower only plants a seed but the workings on how the … [Read more…]
SS TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS (Memorial) White Timothy and Titus were co-workers of Paul. Timothy was Paul’s companion on his second and third missionary journey (Acts 16:3; 19:22). He was often sent by Paul on special missions. Timothy was the head of the church in Ephesus. He was stoned to death in 97 AD for … [Read more…]
THE CONVERSION OF ST PAUL, APOSTLE (Feast) White First Reading: Acts 22:3-16; Psalm: 117 R. v. Mk 16:15 ; Gospel: Mk 16:15-18 THE NEW MAN PAUL BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today, we celebrate the feast of the conversion of St Paul. The first reading was Paul’s defence before the enraged Jewish mob. Paul … [Read more…]
ST FRANCIS DE SALES, B.D. (Memorial) White Francis de Sales was born in Savoy near Annecy in 1567. He studied the law, but abandoned the prospect of a brilliant career, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1593. Francis was appointed bishop of Geneva, and spent the rest of his life reforming and reorganizing the … [Read more…]
