THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS (Opt. Memorial) White First Reading: 1Jn 2:29-3:6; Psalm: 98 R. v. 3cd; Gospel: Jn 1:29-34 THE LORD OUR SALVATION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today is the optional memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. In the third century, the names Jesus Christ were abbreviated or shortened … [Read more…]
SS BASIL THE GREAT & GREGORY NAZIANZEN (Memorial) White Basil’s parents and four of his nine siblings were canonised including St Gregory of Nyssa. Basil studied in Constantinople and Athens with his friend Gregory of Nazianzen. He founded a school of oratory and law in Caesarea and was so successful and sought after as a … [Read more…]
First Reading: Num 6:22-27; Psalm: 67. R. v. 2a; Second Reading: Gal 4:4-7; Gospel: Lk 2:16-21 BEGINNING THE YEAR WITH MARY OUR MOTHER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The birth of Christ marked a new beginning in the history of salvation. It brought to an end the old years marred by the sin of … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 2:18-21; Psalm: 96 R. v. 11a; Gospel: Jn 1:1-18 A NEW BEGINNING WITH CHRIST OUR LIGHT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP It was a strong belief for the Jews that a Messiah would come to save the world. But this belief was foreign to the Gentiles. As at the time John … [Read more…]
THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH First Reading: Sir 3:2-6.12-14; Psalm: 128. R. v. 1; Second Reading: Col 3:12-21; Gospel: Mt 2:13-15.19-23 FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLES OF THE HOLY FAMILY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGNUONU, MSP The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph suffered several challenges like we do today … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 2:3-11; Psalm: 96 R. v. 11a; Gospel: Lk 2:22-35 THE LIGHT OUR WORLD NEEDS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGNUONU, MSP In the gospel of today, the coming to the temple by Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus marked two celebrations: The purification of the mother and the offering of the first-born. … [Read more…]
THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS (Feast) Red First Reading: 1Jn 1:5-2:2; Psalm: 124 R. v. 7ab; Gospel: Mt 2:13-18 THE EVIL OF UNBRIDLED AMBITION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The story of the Holy Innocents reminds us of how cruel the heart of man can be. The length we can go to achieving our selfish … [Read more…]
ST JOHN, AP. AND EVANGELSIT (Feast) White John the Apostle was the son of Zebedee and Salome. He and his brother James the Great, were nick-named “Boanerges,” the Sons of Thunder. John was called by Jesus during the first year of his ministry, and was known as the beloved disciple. Tradition says that John took … [Read more…]
ST STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR (Feast) Stephen means “crown.” He was the first Christian to receive the martyr’s crown. He was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; and was among the seven deacons elected by the apostles to look after the widows and the poor (Acts 6:5). God worked miracles through him. … [Read more…]
CHRISTMAS DAY First Reading: Isa 52:7-10; Psalm: 98. R. v. 3cd; Second Reading: Heb 1:1-6; Gospel: Jn 1:1-18 TAKING FLESH AT CHRISTMAS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . (Jn 1:14). It’s Christmas Day. Christmas comes up once a year. Customarily, it is a … [Read more…]
