6TH Sunday of Easter Year C: Acts 15:1-2,22-29, Ps 66(67):2-3,5-6,8, Rev 21:10-14,22-23, Jn 14:23-29 “Father, How can I have peace of mind amidst the fears everywhere in Nigeria”, someone asked me. This came as a reaction to the massive protests and vandalism of Churches by throngs of Islamic mob requesting the release of the murderers […]
Author Archives: Fr. Simon Onyekachi Madu, OSJ
14
May
May
5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C: Acts 14:21-27, Psalm 144(145):8-13a, Apocalypse 21:1-5, John 13:31-33,34-35 In the year 1999 my family realised that there was no way we could make progress living in the house of a witch. We needed to let go of that house! Yes, it was necessary! While God protected our lives from […]
07
May
May
Did Jesus take for granted that he would entrust the work of pastoring or shepherding to men and women when he said: “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice…they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.”? Did he take for granted that men could be dubious and prey on his innocent and unsuspecting sheep? If you wish to know, continue reading slowly…
Palm Sunday is the day we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Don’t just join the crowd to sing Hosanna on Palm Sunday rather be the song! I will tell you why I said so.
03
Apr
Apr
The Bible says: “do not judge” is the popular mantra we hear whenever someone calls our attention to some wrong we have done or tries to correct us. And to avoid ‘offending’ others or avoid talking about difficult subjects where we must necessarily take a stand, we sometimes pretend to be ‘liberal’ saying: ‘well, I […]
27
Mar
Mar
4th Sunday of Lent Year C (Laetare Sunday): Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 33(34):2-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Luke 15:1-3,11-32 Shame is a feeling of embarrassment, humiliation or worthlessness caused by self evaluation of having done or experienced something dishonorable, immoral or improper. Even though the feeling of shame helps to keep our excesses in check so that […]
20
Mar
Mar
Do you gloat when others fall? Gloating is taking delight and pleasure, even rejoicing over someone else’s hardship, misery or disappointments. Our human nature inclines to it because it exudes certain pleasures. But is this pleasure favourable or destructive?
Rather than gloating and then sinning, there are three important lessons you can learn when others fall. No school, except experience will teach you this. If you want to know, read slowly…
13
Mar
Mar
To tempt Eve, the devil was concerned about what God has said and twisted it. To afflict Job, the devil was interested to ‘change’ what God had said about Job as a righteous man. To tempt Jesus as well, the devil was interested in what the Father said at his baptism: If you are the (beloved) Son of God turn this stone to bread.In the spiritual realm, patterns are important revealing deep truths! There’s something about God’s Word that interests our enemy the devil. If you’re reading this piece you should be interested to know this as well. Don’t go away continue reading slowly
10
Mar
Mar
The rosary of St Joseph can prayed with the rosary substituting the Hail Marys with the following prayer: Joseph, Son of David and Husband of Mary; we honor you guardian of the Redeemer, and we adore the child you named Jesus.
06
Mar
Mar
Have you ever found yourself already eating a tempting food, although you have planned to fast or watch your weight? Have you ever found yourself watching television or glued to your phone, although you planned working on an important project? Or did you ever catch yourself flirting with another person or ‘laying with them’, although you are married or in a serious relationship? Or you found yourself laying with someone, although you have decided to keep chastity until marriage? All these challenging situations require a large amount of willpower and thus puts a person’s self-discipline or self-control to the test.
Only those who try to resist temptations know how strong it is. It is easier to condemn others for being unable to resist temptations, until we find ourselves in similar conditions. And so I ask you: Are you gravely tempted and can’t resist anymore? Listen, I will share with you useful tips to overcome temptations. Continue reading slowly…