"STAY WITH US, LORD" (Luke 24:29)

1st Reading        Numbers 6: 22-27 Psalm                  Ps. 67: 2-3.5.6 and 8 (R. 2a) 2nd Reading      Galatians 4: 4-7 Gospel                 Luke 2: 16-21 THREEFOLD BLESSING FOR THE NEW YEAR Dear people of God, we are delighted to see a new year dawning on us. The first day of the year is a Sunday, which makes us think of Sunday as "the first day of the Week" (Jn. 20:1; Acts 20: 7; 1 Cor. 16: 2; Rev. 1:10). Although the year is not a week, we still have this idea because Sunday is the beginning of the year.  On a more solemn note, today we celebrate the SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD . A good understanding of Jesus as God, when we understand the Triune God, helps us to appreciate the fact that Mary is the Mother of God. Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity is God, and this affirms that Mary is a THEOTOKOS (God-bearer). Even as we celebrate on...

1st Reading         Isaiah 52: 7-10 Psalm                    Ps. 98:1-6 (R. 3cd) 2nd Reading       Hebrew 1:1-6 Gospel                  John 1: 1-18 GOD DOES NOT ABANDON HIS OWN Dear friends, today is Christmas and we recall the birth of Christ, the Word made flesh (Jn. 1: 14). Today's readings focus on the Birth of Christ and how God graciously intervenes in human affairs. We rejoice because our darkness has seen the light of day and hope has been assured a hopeless people labouring under the pains of the exiles of sin and death. The first reading is from Isaiah 52: 7-10 and, from our knowledge of the book of Isaiah so far, it falls within the second part of Isaiah, called Deutero-Isaiah (Ch. 40-55). This is the Book of Consolation; consolation for an oppressed people languishing in exile. A section of this book has been carved out for us to indica...

1st Reading     Isaiah 7: 10-14 Psalm               Ps. 24:1-6 (R. cf. 7c. 10c) 2nd Reading   Romans 1:1-7 Gospel              Matthew 1:18-24 HE IS WITH US Dear friends, today is the last Sunday of Advent, and the implication is that Christmas is near and our joy is almost full. God will become like us in all things but sin. With this in mind, the readings for this Sunday turn our focus toward the birth of the Messiah and on the personality of the mother of this Messiah.  The first reading (Isaiah 7:10-14) forms part of the first part of the book of Isaiah (Chap. 1-39) and is an event dating to the 8th century BCE. The preceding narrative helps us to appreciate the perspective of the author and the message he wants to put across.  The context of the first reading is an alliance between Syria and Israel (Ephraim) to attack Judah so that, in doing so, Judah will be forced by conq...

1st Reading       Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10 Psalm                  Ps. 146: 1-10 (R . cf. Isa. 35:4) 2nd Reading     James 5: 7-10 Gospel                Matthew 11:2-11 WAITING IN JOYFUL HOPE Dear friends, today is the 2nd Sunday in the month of December. This gives us an indication that we are gradually bringing the year 2022 to a close. This comes with lots of smiles and rejoicing, especially for those who have to surmount the difficult hurdles in the course of the year. In particular, today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. This 3rd Sunday is very special as we are made to have a foretaste of the white we long to showcase at Christmas. It is called GAUDETE SUNDAY because the first words in the Entrance Antiphon say "rejoice in the Lord always". Gaudete means ' rejoice !' The first reading for this Sunday (Isaiah 35:1-6, 10) falls within the larger scope of the first part of t...

1st Reading       Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm                  Ps.122:1-9 (R. cf. 1) 2nd Reading     Romans 13: 11-14a Gospel                Matthew 24:37-44 BE THE CARETAKER OF YOUR SPIRITUAL HOME Today is the last Sunday of November, the 1st Sunday in the Liturgical year (Year A), and 1st Sunday of Advent. What comes to light is newness, a fresh start; for this reason, we take time to thank God for how far he has brought us. We also entrust our faith journey into his care in this new liturgical year.  Dear Friends, the recent past Sundays have delved into the theme of being watchful because of the imminent end of things. Now, the end of the Liturgical year has come, and we usher in another one. What is even special about this Liturgical Year is that we shall occupy ourselves with the Gospel according to Matthew. In the order as presented in the Bible, the Gospel accordin...

1st Reading      Isaiah 66:18-21 Resp. Psalm     Ps. 117:1.2 (R. Mk. 16:15) 2nd Reading     Heb. 12:5-7.11-13 Gospel               Luke 13: 22-30 MADE PRIESTS, PROPHETS AND KINGS This 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, the first reading is from Isaiah 66:18-21. It is found in Third Isaiah (Isaiah 56-66), i.e. Trito-Isaiah. We are reading from the last sections of this Trito-Isaiah, and there is divine initiative to "gather all nations and tongues" (v. 18). Trito-Isaiah is believed to have been written by a disciple of the author of Deutero-Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55). The author of Trito-Isaiah sets his writing after the Babylonian exile, and hence, focuses on the post-exilic times. The passage in view, I believe, is set within an Old Testament missionary framework. God takes the initiative to gather all nations and tongues as a result of the dispersion brought by the Babylonian exile (c.598 BC - c.538 BC).  ...

  1st Reading          Jer. 38:4-6.8-10 Resp. Psalm         Ps. 40:2.3.4.18 (R.14b) 2nd Reading       Heb. 12: 1-4 Gospel                  Luke 12:49-53 WHO IS THE TRUE AND CREDIBLE WITNESS? Today is the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the Gospel passage from Luke 12:49-53 is one of the often disturbing utterances of Jesus which should not be taken literally. We shall attempt to decipher and unpack the meaning of those words. Before we delve into it, we need to be aware that the passage has a parallel in Matthew 10:34-36, with few textual differences.  The context within which Luke presents the narrative is the readiness of the servant. The preceding narrative (Lk. 12:35-48) and the succeeding narrative (Lk. 12: 54-59) set the tone for today's passage to be located within the context of the call to be ready. For Jesus to say that he has come to establish divisio...

1st Reading       Ecclesiastes 1: 2; 2:21-23 Resp. Psalm      Psalm 94:1-2,6-9 2nd Reading     Colossians 3: 1-5. 9-11 Gospel                Luke 12: 13-21 APART FROM GOD, ALL IS VANITY Today is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and also the Last Sunday and last day in the month of July, 2022. We thank God for his Grace and Mercy in seeing us through to the end of the month, and we pray that we may be aided by him in the coming month. This Sunday we shall deliberate on vanities. Our first reading starts by mentioning ‘VANITY OF VANITIES’. Let us consider a few details from the first reading. We must bear in mind that we are reading from the book of Ecclesiastes, one of the Wisdom Books. Another name for this book is QOHELETH (קֹהֶלֶת) . QOHELETH is title for a public preacher, one who leads an assembly. The person in the first reading seem to be one who is aged and wise. Aside being a public preach...

1st Reading   Gen. 18: 20-32 Resp. Psalm  Ps. 137:1-3, 6-8 2nd Reading  Col. 2: 12-14 Gospel            Luke 11: 1-13 "LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY" Dear friends, today is the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time and we have to remind ourselves that we have Seventeen Sundays more to draw the curtain on the liturgical season of Ordinary Time and the Liturgical Year (Year C). This should be brought to focus so that we assess our journey so far.  Delving into the Gospel passage for this Sunday (Luke 11: 1-13), we can divide it into two. Luke vv. 1-4 which talks about the Lord's Prayer and vv. 5-13 which speaks about perseverance in prayer with the admonition to ASK (AITEO), SEEK (ZETEO), and KNOCK (KROUO).  Let us take a closer look at the first part, the Lord's Prayer. We can find a parallel in Matthew 6:9-15. We can observe few textual differences. Luke starts by telling us that Jesus' initiative to teach this Prayer stemmed from the discipl...

1st Reading    Gen. 18:1-10a Resp. Psalm   Ps. 15:2-3a.3bc-4ab.5 (R. 1a) 2nd Reading   Col. 1:24-28 Gospel             Luke 10: 38-42 A GOOD DISCIPLE IS HOSPITABLE From last Sunday, we have been focusing on Charity and hospitality, especially to strangers. This Sunday, in continuing this theme, the first reading brings to our reflection Abraham's generous hospitality towards the three men (Gen. 18:1-10a), while the Gospel (Lk. 10: 38-42) adds that hospitality with the possession of Christ is much to be desired. Possessing Christ makes a good disciple. We may then want to underline the issue of FAITH AND WORKS . We may be unable to act well if we do not learn to sit at the Lord's feet to listen. Let us use few highlights from the first reading to help us find ourselves within the theme of hospitality. Three details will occupy us.  The first detail is the TIME OF THE DAY . The author makes us aware of the fact that it ...

  1st Reading           Deut. 30:10-14 Resp. Psalm          Ps. 19:7.8.9.10 (R.8a) 2nd Reading         Col. 1:15-20 Gospel                    Luke 10: 25-37 A CHARITABLE HEART MAKES A LAW-ABIDING BEING Today is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the Word of God invites us to reflect on the question of the Law and our obedience to it. It further calls us to a practical identification of who a neighbour is. The Gospel, from Luke 10: 25-37, is an eye opener in this regard.  As we reflect on the LAW, we need to take few things into consideration. Let us, first of all, bear in mind that our first reading is from Deuteronomy (Deut. 30:10-14). This is significant because, the LAW which is our focus for this Sunday is also a central theme in Deuteronomy. This book is fashioned around the LAW. Infact, it is the 5th book of the Hebrew Torah (Book of the LA...

1st Reading    Isaiah 66: 10-14c Resp. Psalm   Ps. 66:1-3a.4-5.6-7a.16 and 20 (R.1) 2nd Reading   Gal. 6: 14-18 Gospel             Luke 10:1-12.17-20 THERE IS NO TIME TO SPARE Dear Friends, we are still within the thematic context of mission. Last Sunday we dealt with the issue of CALLING. The 14th Sunday turns to the side of SENDING. Additionally, the Gospel narrative for this Sunday is a continuation from last Sunday's Gospel narrative. This is LECTIO CONTINUA.  In the Gospel, we read that SEVENTY MEN were sent. By this statement, we have to underscore two important details. The first is the number SEVENTY (HEBDOMEKONTA) . Remember that after the flood in Genesis, we are told only about the generations of the sons of Noah and unto them were sons born after the flood (Gen. 10:1). These are supposed to be the nations in the world. The number SEVENTY has special significance in representing the nations in the world. Th...

1st Reading     Gen. 14:18-20 Resp. Psalm    Ps. 110:1.2.3,4 (R. 4cd) 2nd Reading    1 Cor. 11: 23-26 Gospel              Luke 9: 11b-17 FEED LIKE JESUS Dear Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). We celebrate the "source and summit" of our Christian lives, the Holy Eucharist. Consequently, we celebrate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist as he is present under the Eucharistic species (SC, 7) through the words of consecration spoken by the Priest. By extension, I believe we can also underscore the celebration of unity of the Church, the mystical body of Christ, brought to reality by the Eucharist. The readings of this Sunday are apt in reminding us and teaching us about the Eucharist and the issue of feeding. The first reading from Genesis 14:18-20 is the last event of Chapter 14,and narrates the return of Abram from his defeat of mighty Chedorlao...

  1st Reading    Proverbs 8:22-31 Resp. Psalm   Ps. 8 (R. 2a) 2nd Reading   Romans 5:1-5 Gospel             John 16:12-15 BE ONE Dear Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. We celebrate the mystery of three divine persons in one God. It is then important to underline the unity in God. God is One and the number one represents Him as such. The First Reading from Proverbs 8:22-31 draws our focus to an element which catches attention —  WISDOM . The first reading is located within the wider context of a poem on WISDOM in chapters 8 and 9 of the Book of Proverbs. We are reading from the end of Chapter 8 which gives us an imaginative, picturesque view of the origin, value and purpose of WISDOM from a poetic perspective.  A particular feature we must take into consideration is that WISDOM is personified, made like a person who speaks and gives credentials about herself. Indeed, WISDOM i...

1st Reading Acts 2:1-11 Resp. Psalm Ps. 104 (R. 30) 2nd Reading Romans 8:8-17 Gospel John 14:15-16. 23b-26 COME, HOLY SPIRIT Today we bring the season of Easter to an end and we begin the Ordinary Time. This is sandwiched by the feast of Pentecost. This feast has been the focus of many Christians as we prepared towards it.  The feast of Pentecost is traced to the Old Testament where it is called Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15-22; Num. 28:26-31), or Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16), or SHAVUOT and it is part of the three pilgrim feasts of the Jews (Deut. 16:16). All males shall appear before the Lord in the place which he chooses and they shall not appear empty-handed. The males in Jewish houses are leaders and, hence ensure that every member of the household travels to Jerusalem to worship and offer his thanksgiving offering to God for the blessing of harvest . If you like, the Feast of Weeks is a thanksgiving day for Divine Providence. On this day, first fruits a...

1st Reading    Acts 15:1–2,22–29 Resp. Psalm   Ps. 67 2nd Reading   Rev. 21:10-14, 22-23 Gospel             Jn. 14:23-29 BE TEACHABLE Dear friends, we are still within the last days of Jesus' life on earth after his Resurrection. The disciples recieve words on how they will live their lives in relation to one another and to God. Today, Jesus draws a difference between two groups of people as regards their response to his Words. There are those who keep his word (v. 23) and those who do not (v. 24). To them that keep his word on account of their love for Jesus, there is an experience of the Trinitarian life. Three things will happen to such a person. 1. The Father will LOVE him  2. We will COME to him (erchomai) 3. We will make our HOME with him (monē) Monē (home or abode) speaks in a metaphorical sense about the Holy Spirit's indwelling in the person who KEEPS (tēreo), thus guards and gives careful attention to God...