ST BARTHOLOMEW, AP. (Feast) Red Nathaniel bar Tolomai (or Bartholomew) was probably a close friend of Philip as his name is always mentioned in the Gospels in connection with Philip. And it was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus. Nathaniel may have preached in Asia Minor, Ethiopia, India and Armenia, leaving early writings behind, and … [Read more…]
First Reading: 2Thess 2:1-3a. 14-17; Psalm: 96. R. v. 13b; Gospel: Mt 23:23-26 LIVING THE FAITH BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Today, Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees because they were very meticulous about tithing and neglected mercy, justice and fidelity. They were diligent with matters that had little importance and completely ignore weightier … [Read more…]
THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Memorial) White First Reading: 2Thes 1:1-5.11b-12; Psalm: 96. R. v. 3; Gospel: Mt 23:13-22 THE QUEENSHIP OF MARY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated exactly seven days after her assumption into heaven. On October 11, 1954, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Is 66:18-21; Psalm: 117. R. v. Mk 16:15; Second Reading: Heb 12:5-7.11-13; Gospel: Lk 13:22-30 THE DISCIPLINE OF THE NARROW DOOR BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP In my years in High school, one of the hottest arguments I occasionally had with my classmates outside lecture time was on faith and religion. For … [Read more…]
ST BERNARD, ABB. D. (Memorial) White Bernard joined the monastic community of Citeaux at the age of 20 and was followed by his five brothers, two uncles and some other 30 young friends. He became the abbot of the monastery of Clairvaux. He attended the second Lateran Council and fought the heresy of Albigensianism. He … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 37:1-14; Psalm: 107. R. v. 1; Gospel: Mt 22:34-40 HOPING ON GOD WHOSE LOVE NEVER FAILS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The prophet Ezekiel prophesied on the dry bones in the wilderness as commanded by the Lord. The bones all came together and were covered by sinews and flesh. He made … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 36:23-28; Psalm: 51. R. v. Ezk 36:25; Gospel: Mt 22:1-14 THE DIVINE INVITATION BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP A lot of us have made several costly mistakes in life. One of them could be the pain of losing something more important or valuable to us while pursuing shadows. There are couples … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 34:1-11; Psalm: 23. R. v. 1; Gospel: Mt 20:1-16a MERITED BY GRACE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The gospel reading of today reminds us that we do not merit anything. All that we got from God is out of his grace. The first set of labourers employed at the early hours … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 28:1-10; Psalm: Dt 32. R. v. 18b; Gospel: Mt 19:23-30 THE DANGER OF RICHES BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:23). These words of Jesus was a follow up to the refusal … [Read more…]
First Reading: Ezk 24:15-24; Psalm: Deut 32. R. v. 18b; Gospel: Mt 19: 16-22 RISING ABOVE POSSESSION TO GENEROSITY BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The rich man in the gospel of today went away sad when Jesus asked him to sell all he had and then come and follow him. This was because he … [Read more…]
