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…]
First Reading: Isa 62: 1-5; Psalm: 89. R. v. 2a; Second Reading: Acts 13:16-17. 22-25; Gospel: Mt 1:1-25 AWAY FROM THE MANGER BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP On this night, we celebrate the birth of the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. We read today from the account of Matthew how this remarkable event took place. … [Read more…]
(24TH DECEMBER) First Reading: 2Sam 7:1-5.8b-12.14a.16; Psalm: 89 R. v. 2; Gospel: Lk 1:67-79 OUR SALVATION IS CLOSE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The canticle of Zachariah popularly known as the Benedictus is another familiar hymn in the Church. Zachariah was dumb for nine months until the birth of his son. When he regained … [Read more…]
(23RD DECEMBER) First Reading: Mal 3:1-4.4:5-6; Psalm: 25 R. v. Lk 21:28; Gospel: Lk 1:57-66 FROM DOUBT TO BELIEF BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Zachariah has been dumb for nine months now consequent to his doubt on the angel’s message. Recall how an angel appeared to Zachariah while he burned incense in the temple … [Read more…]
(22ND DECEMBER) First Reading: 1Sam 1:24-28; Psalm: 1Sam 2:1.4-5.6-7.8abcd R. v. 1a; Gospel: Lk 1:46-56 THE MAGNIFICAT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Magnificat (Mary’s hymn of praise) is one of the greatest hymns of the Church. It is a hymn that resonates the graciousness and power of God and the nothingness of humankind. … [Read more…]
(21ST DECEMBER) First Reading: Song of Sol 2:8-14; Psalm: 33. R. v. 1a, 3a; Gospel: Lk 1:39-45 MARY, ARK OF THE COVENANT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Many of us just like me grew up reciting the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a little boy, I recited this litany from memory just … [Read more…]
(20TH DECEMBER) First Reading: Is 7:10-14; Psalm: 24. R. v. 7c. 10c; Gospel: Lk 1:26-38 THE LORD IS WITH US BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” (Lk 1:28). These were the words with which the angel Gabriel greeted Mary when he appeared to her. This kind … [Read more…]
(19TH DECEMBER) First Reading: Jgs 13:2-7. 24-25a; Psalm: 71. R. v. 8a; Gospel: Lk 1:5-25 PRAYING IN THE TEMPLE Zachariah obviously was not happy as a priest without a child. This was because the Jews traditionally believed that any Jew who had a wife but no child was excommunicated by God. This was enough to … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 7:10-14; Psalm: 24. R. v. 7c.10c; Second Reading: Rom 1:1-7; Gospel: Mt 1:18-24 GOD WRITES STRAIGHT WITH CROOKED LINES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The story regarding the birth of Jesus Christ took place thousands of years ago in a small village in Nazareth. It is a very familiar story which … [Read more…]
(17TH DECEMBER) First Reading: Gen 49:2. 8-10; Psalm: 72. R. v. 7; Gospel: Mt 1:1-17 GOD’S PROMISES NEVER FAIL BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The story of Abraham in the Bible is a very familiar one. Recall how long it took Abraham before he had Isaac. God had earlier promised to make Abraham’s descendants … [Read more…]
