First Reading: Is 49:3.5-6; Psalm: 40. R. v. 8a. 9a; Second Reading: 1Cor 1:1-3; Gospel: Jn 1:29-34 FROM FAITH TO WITNESSING BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP As at the time Jesus came walking towards John in the gospel of today, he had already received his baptism by the hands of John. So Jesus was … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 4:12-16; Psalm: 19 R. v. Jn 6:63c; Gospel: Mk 2:13-17 SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners.” (Mk 2:16). We can sometimes think ourselves so good that we feel we do not need people around us. This feeling of self sufficiency is … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 4:1-5. 11; Psalm: 78 R. v. 7b; Gospel: Mk 2:1-12 OPENNESS TO TRUTH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Why does this man speak like this? (Mk 2:7). The scribes and Pharisees always faced criticism in the scriptures. But perhaps we can pedal it soft on our criticism of them. What these … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 3:7-14; Psalm: 95 R. v. 8a; Gospel: Mk 1:40-45 THE LEPER’S PRAYER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “If you will, you can make me clean.” (Mk 1:40). Leprosy is a terrible illness. It eats up the skin causing discoloration and lumps. In severe cases, it leads to disfigurement and deformities. It … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 2:14-18; Psalm: 105 R. v. 8a; Gospel: Mk 1:29-39 LOVING THE WORK ABOVE THE GAIN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Everyone is searching for you.” (Mk 1:37) It is always very difficult to leave a people or a place where you are loved. It is even more difficult when this fondness … [Read more…]
First Reading: Heb 2:5-12; Psalm: 8. R. v. 7a; Gospel: Mk 1:21b-28 THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Jewish Synagogue was a place for prayer, worship and study. For any of these spiritual exercises to take place, there must be at least a minimum of ten people. When Jesus … [Read more…]
First Reading: Isa 42:1-4.6-7; Psalm: 29. R. v. 1; Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38; Gospel: Matt 3:13-17 THE REVELATION OF A NEW BAPTISM AT THE JORDAN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Our Lord was baptized because He wished, not to be cleansed, but to cleanse the waters, that, being purified by the flesh of Christ … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 60:1-6; Psalm: 72. R. v. 11; Second Reading: Eph 3:2-3a.5-6; Gospel: Mt 2:1-12 FOLLOWING OUR DREAMS LIKE THE WISE MEN BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Epiphany narrative is a beautiful story on a winding course. It is a story that requires determination and courage for anyone who wishes to journey … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 5:14-21; Psalm: 149 R. v. 4a; Gospel: Jn 2:1-11 THE BEST WINE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP I suppose that those of us who love a glass of wine are familiar with the common axiom “The older the wine, the better.” Put differently, “Wine tastes better with age.” This axiom corresponds … [Read more…]
First Reading: 1Jn 5:5-13; Psalm: 147 R. v. 12a; Gospel: Mark 1:7-11 THE THREE WITNESSES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In the first reading of today, John pointed to three witnesses that testified that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; the Spirit, the water, and the blood. Jesus was baptised by John in … [Read more…]
