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The Lord is our refuge and strength

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    Saturday of the 4th week of Lent Jeremiah 11:18-20 Psalm 7:2-3,9-12 John 7:40-52 Many of us can strongly relate to the guards' feelings during that pivotal moment when they discussed where Jesus came from. The guards understood that Jesus was unlike anyone who had ever appeared before. Yet, when they boldly testified to the power of Jesus’s teachings, the chief priests and Pharisees dismissed them and possibly mocked them. It’s a timeless challenge: just like the guards, when we share about God’s love, we often face sarcasm and rejection. Do we let hurtful words from others silence our faith, or do we stand firm and speak out with conviction? Maybe we feel the same passion as the guards and choose to speak up. Or do we respond with anger and hostility at their injustice? Instead, can we remember Jesus’s love and let it transform us, just as the guards did? Our actions can mirror the chief priests and Pharisees—unless we adopt a plan to act with compassion. We can pause, ta...
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The Lord is right and just

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  Friday of the 4th week of Lent  Wisdom 2:1,​12-22 Psalm 33(34):16,18,19-21,23 John 7:1-2,​10,​25-30 The crowd in Jerusalem wasn’t filled with skeptics; they were the fervent, the devoted ones who showed up, studied the sacred texts, upheld the traditions, and paid their temple dues. But when Truth—immense and unmissable—entered their midst in the flesh, they did what any threat to certainty does: they demanded an arrest. “We know where this man is from.” Seven words—arguably the most powerful and dangerous sentence religion ever uttered. The Book of Wisdom cuts through the chaos with chilling clarity: it's not hate for the righteous man because he’s wrong. It's envy—because he’s right, and his very life challenges their falsehoods. His presence prompts a question they refuse to answer. So, they quietly, fervently, and theologically begin crafting a case against him. Notice the subtlety. It’s not shouted; it’s whispered. Rationalized. Orchestrated behind closed doors.  T...
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  Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary  - Solemnity   2 Samuel 7:4-5,​12-14,​16 Psalm 88(89):2-5,27,29 Romans 4:13,​16-18,​22 Matthew 1:16,​18-21,​24 On the occasion of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which replaces the Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent, we reflect on the significance of this venerable figure. The scriptural references provide limited but meaningful insights into his character. The first reading (2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16) describes God's promise to David that his throne shall be established forever through his lineage. The second reading (Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22) emphasizes that believers are considered the spiritual descendants of Abraham, calling for faith and trust akin to his. The Gospel (Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24) recounts the vision experienced by Joseph, which instructed him to take Mary as his wife despite her pregnancy. This act fulfilled the promises made to David and Abraham, demonstrating tha...
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Christ’s Unity of love and obedience

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  Wednesday of the 4th week of Lent  Isaiah 49:8-15 Psalm144(145):8-9,13b-14,17-18 John 5:17-30 Jesus affirms that his identity with the Father is founded on complete trust and obedience. He consistently fulfilled the will of the Father, demonstrating obedience rooted not merely in submission but in love. His compliance was motivated by his love for the Father. The unity between Jesus and the Father is characterized by a shared love—a total self-giving for the benefit of another. This explains why their mutual love is perfect and complete. The Son loves the Father and submits entirely to the Father's will. The Father, in turn, loves the Son and shares all that He possesses. Followers are therefore called to dedicate their lives to God with the same love, trust, and obedience exemplified by Jesus toward the Father. The opening verse of today’s gospel—‘My Father is still working, and I also am working’—also reminds us of the importance of parental involvement. It is often observ...
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  St Patrick, Bishop: Secondary Patron of Nigeria  - Feast   1 Peter 4:7-11 Psalm 95(96):1-3,7-8,10 Luke 5:1-11 The moment when the boats nearly sink due to the fish intentionally provided by God demonstrates that there is more to fishing than merely catching fish; it reveals our own insignificance and opens us to receive His gifts. Peter recognizes this and admits his sinfulness. Jesus wishes us to understand that we can achieve great things, as did Peter and St. Patrick, who became fishers of men. Today, we commemorate St. Patrick, Ireland’s secondary patron, as well as the missionaries who propagated Christ’s message in Nigeria. Through Patrick, the Gospel was disseminated from Ireland to Nigeria and beyond. We pray that God's strength, wisdom, protection, and guidance may be with us now and forever. Amen.
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TAKE CHRIST AT HIS WORD

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  Monday of the 4th week of Lent Isaiah 65:17-21 Psalm 29(30):2,4-6,11-13 John 4:43-54 Today’s readings emphasize the promise of an improved existence. Isaiah (Isaiah 65:17-21) describes a renewed world free from suffering and sorrow, where infants do not succumb prematurely. Jesus fulfills this prophecy in the Gospel of John (John 4:43-54) by healing an official's son, thereby alleviating grief within his household. The official’s faith resulted in his son's salvation, exemplifying the trust that should be placed in Christ. This message is universal—intended for individuals regardless of wealth or power. We are called to believe in this promise and to support others on their path to eternal joy through Jesus’ sacrifice.  May divine grace enable us to remain focused on our eternal destination while compassionately assisting those along our journey. Amen. 
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4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)   1 Samuel 16:1,​6-7,​10-13 Psalm 22(23) Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41  Christ be our light (hymn) Theme: Rejoice, because you have been saved from darkness to Light The message of John 9:1-41 is that Jesus is the light of the world. Missing this light means missing everything in this life and the next. Lent challenges us to glorify God and remember our salvation story. The Church’s readings in Year A guide us through Sundays of temptation, transfiguration, thirst for God, and healing.  The stories reminds us every miracle has a message. Encountering Jesus changes us. Jesus, the light of the world, cures blindness—both physical and spiritual. The blind man never saw the world’s beauty, but Jesus saw him. His physical sight symbolizes spiritual awakening; the Pharisees remain spiritually blind. This invites us to reflect on whether we truly see Christ in others and in ourselves, especially in suffering. Our choices between light and darkn...
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