SS JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF THE B.V.M. (Memorial) White First Reading: Jer 14:17b-22; Psalm: 79 R. v. 9bc; Gospel: Mt 13:36-43 SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE: PARENTAL MODELS The co-existence of the wheat and the weed in the parable of Jesus is a proof that righteousness of life and meriting heaven is not an easy … [Read more…]
ST JAMES THE APOSTLE (Feast) Red Jesus nicknamed James and John, the sons of Zebedee “Boanerges” meaning “sons of thunder” (Mk 3:17). They were natives of Galilee and fishermen when Jesus called them. James, John and Peter belonged to the three inner circles. They were with Jesus at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, Jairus’ daughter, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 18:20-32; Psalm: 138. R. v. 3a; Second Reading: Col 2:12-14; Gospel: Lk 11:1-13 THE INTERPLAY OF PRAYER AND DIVINE DECISIONS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Recently, I stumbled on a post on Facebook. It was a polemic against the Christian God who according to the writer is not spontaneous in punishing … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 7:1-11; Psalm: 84 R. v. 2; Gospel: Mt 13:24-30 WHEAT OR WEED? BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP If only we know the evil intentions of the heart of men, perhaps life would be safer and maybe less challenging too. But this is difficult to identify because in most cases, our disguise … [Read more…]
ST MARY MAGDALENE (Feast) White First Reading: Songs of Sol 3:1-4ab; Psalm: 63 R. v. 2b; Gospel: Jn 20:1-2. 11-18. WAIT BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP The first reading of today exudes passion and love. A feeling that metamorphosed into action. An action of deep search for a loved one. This kind of search … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 2:1-3. 7-8. 12-13; Psalm: 36 R. v. 10a; Gospel: Mt 13:10-17 DISPOSITION TO REPENTANCE BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, … [Read more…]
First Reading: Jer 1:1. 4-10; Psalm: 71 R. v. 15ab; Gospel: Mt 13:1-9 IMPROVING ON THE GOOD FRUITS BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty (Mt 13:8). Let us approach the gospel of today with more sense of optimism. … [Read more…]
First Reading: Mic 7:14-15. 18-20; Psalm: 85 R. v. 8a; Gospel: Mt 12:46-50 THE DISTRACTED MAN: YOU AND ME BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP There is obviously something missing in today’s gospel narrative. When Jesus was informed of his family’s demand to see him, he ceased that moment to emphasise obedience to God above … [Read more…]
First Reading: Mic 6:1-4. 6-8;Psalm: 50 R. v. 23bc; Gospel: Mt 12:38-42 BE OPEN-MINDED BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP These set of scribes and Pharisees who listened to Jesus in today’s gospel were out to ridicule him. Although it was obvious that Jesus was the Messiah and that his teachings were divinely inspired yet … [Read more…]
First Reading: Gen 318:1-10a; Psalm: 15. R. v. 1a; Second Reading: Col 1:24-28; Gospel: Lk 10:38-42 MARTHA’S TIME VERSUS MARY’S TIME BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” … [Read more…]
