First Reading: Rev 7:2-4. 9-14; Psalm: 24. R. v. 6a; Second Reading: 1Jn 3:1-3; Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a THE BEATITUDES: THE ATTITUDES OF THE SAINTS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today, the Church celebrates the solemnity of all saints. But why is today called all saints day? It is simply because the church sets aside … [Read more…]
First Reading: Phil 2:1-4; Psalm: 131 R. v. 1; Gospel: Lk 14:12-14 THE BLESSINGS OF THE POOR BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The appeal of Jesus to the Pharisees on the need to invite the poor when they call a banquet reveals the concern of God for the poor who solely rely on him. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ws 11:22-12:2; Psalm: 145. R. v. 1; Second Reading: 2Thes 1:11-2:2; Gospel: Lk 19:1-10 THE SYCAMORE TREE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP On Saturday, the 1st of October 2022, during the Independence Day mega rally in Nigeria for the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party Mr. Peter Obi, a toddler Chioma … [Read more…]
First Reading: Phil 1:18b-26; Psalm: 42. R. v. 3ab; Gospel: Lk 14:1. 7-11 HUMILITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 14:11) Adaora was a very good dancer. She was the leader of her dancing troupe who would not … [Read more…]
SS SIMON AND JUDE, APP. (Feast) Red Simon is named in the lists of the apostles. He is called the Zealot; a fanatical nationalist. Jude (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot), also called Thaddeus meaning “Courageous”, was the brother of James the Lesser. Saint Jude is often depicted carrying a circular image of Christ, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 6:10-20; Psalm: 144. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Lk 13:31-35 REJECTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Some Pharisees came, and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” Does this sound like they cared? We may easily think so. But in truth, these men really do not … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 6:1-9; Psalm: 145. R. v. 13c; Gospel: Lk 13:22-30 THE SIN OF PRESUMPTION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Jesus warns us today that God will shock some of us who presume they have a place in God’s kingdom on the last day. This warning was originally directed to the Jews of … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 5:21-33; Psalm: 128. R. v. 1a; Gospel: Lk 13:18-21 THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The magic of yeast on dough is very interesting to watch. Dough, a thick malleable mixture of flour and liquid can rise in size when yeast is added to it. This rising takes … [Read more…]
First Reading: Eph 4:32-5:8; Psalm: 1. R. v. Eph 5:1; Gospel: Lk 13:10-17 THE GOD WHO CARES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The woman in the gospel of today had lived for eighteen years bent over. She probably had prayed and sought medical help but never got better. She was held bound by her … [Read more…]
First Reading: Sir 35:12c-14.16-18b; Psalm: 34. R. v. 7a; Second Reading: 2Tim 4:6-8.16-18; Gospel: Lk 18:9-14 THE INTROSPECTIVE TAX COLLECTOR BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In retrospect, whenever we went for night prayers back in my seminary days, we were always required to observe a five minutes silence for examination of conscience immediately after … [Read more…]
