tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57314371652432764162024-03-28T11:30:17.676-05:00Sunday Homilies by MSP FathersHomilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.comBlogger599125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-4661169086675666372024-03-28T11:29:00.003-05:002024-03-28T11:29:20.402-05:00GOOD FRIDAY YEAR B, 2024Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42The 40 days of the Lenten season reaches its climax today, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. Today has been a day of fasting, abstinence, prayer, and meditation on the agony and death of Jesus.What is good about Good Friday when it was such a gloomy day that the innocent Son of God, Jesus Christ, was Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-84327813274242744992024-03-28T09:20:00.000-05:002024-03-28T09:20:45.874-05:00HOLY THURSDAY, 2024Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15Holy Thursday begins the three days of liturgical celebrations, which re-enact the last three days of Jesus' earthly life: the events of his passion, his crucifixion, his death, his burial, and his resurrection. The three days of liturgical celebrations are called the Sacred Paschal Triduum. Triduum is a word formedHomilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-9960397087971205282024-03-21T11:20:00.002-05:002024-03-22T09:25:07.403-05:00 PALM SUNDAY YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPMark 11:1-10; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 1-15:47Today, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent. It commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, days before he was crucified. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy Week. The gospel’s passion narrative invites us to participate in the mystery of Jesus’ Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-20922831774923063882024-03-14T09:28:00.001-05:002024-03-14T09:28:17.139-05:00FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPJeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-15; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-23Jeremiah was sent by God to prophesy to the Jews at a time when political and religious leaders offended God so much. There was a lot of corruption and injustice in the land. The political and religious leaders did not care nor believed that corruption and injustice could make them lose favor with God and bring destruction to Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-76961783705778696092024-03-11T12:28:00.001-05:002024-03-11T12:28:12.612-05:00FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP 2 Chronicles 36:14-16; 19-23; Psalm 137:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called 'Laetare' Sunday. 'Laetare' is a Latin word that means ‘Rejoice.’ Amid our Lenten penance, Laetare Sunday puts us in hopeful expectation of the Easter joy. Today’s Mass entrance antiphon is, “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-72456342219249362462024-03-11T12:24:00.003-05:002024-03-11T12:24:27.366-05:00THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8-11; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25We are mid-way in the Lenten season. The cross above helps us to evaluate how the Lenten journey is progressing.In the first reading, from the Book of Exodus, the Israelites had left Egypt and were no longer under Pharaoh and the laws of Egypt. God did not leave them without guiding principles. The commandments (Exodus 20:Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-2676454537548117522024-03-11T10:21:00.002-05:002024-03-11T10:21:23.712-05:00 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPGenesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116:10, 15-19, Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10The first reading is about Abraham. A brief background of him may be helpful. Abraham was called by God to leave his native land for the land God was to show him. Abraham, although 75 years old, obeyed God and left his father’s house, his relatives, and his land and “went as the Lord directed him” (Genesis 12:1, 4).Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-39566927763607945102024-02-15T14:30:00.000-06:002024-02-15T14:30:55.815-06:00 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPGenesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25:4-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15The first reading tells us about God’s covenant with Noah. I think that what Noah did after surviving the flood made possible God’s covenant with him. Scripture says, “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and choosing from every clean animal and every clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar. When the Lord smelled the sweet Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-8863272069831536432024-02-13T10:03:00.003-06:002024-02-13T10:03:18.748-06:00ASH WEDNESDAY, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten season, 46 days before Easter. However, Lent is 40 days since six Sundays in the season of Lent are not supposed to be fast days and are not counted. Each Sunday is a feast day, a mini-remembrance of Jesus’ resurrection.The 40 days of Lent represent the 40 years Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-25047351578090039442024-02-08T14:38:00.000-06:002024-02-08T14:38:08.991-06:00 SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPLeviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45The first reading is from the Book of Leviticus. The book is mainly about the Levites’ priestly ministry. At that time, priests were from the tribe of Levi. The book deals with functions and concerns of priests and rituals, and spiritual rules and regulations for priests and the people.In the first reading are Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-91415053522311477912024-02-01T13:55:00.006-06:002024-02-01T14:37:42.964-06:00 FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPJob 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147:1-6; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39The Jews believed that suffering was punishment for sin and for sinners. That was why Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind.’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him’” (John 9:2-3).The firstHomilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-90396519799591132002024-01-26T10:21:00.000-06:002024-01-26T10:21:23.060-06:00 FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPDeuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28The first reading is from the Book of Deuteronomy. The Book of Deuteronomy is a compilation of teachings, directives, and instructions from Moses, and God’s laws in the previous books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers) that were to guide the people of Israel as they journey to the Promised Land and when they arriveHomilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-65651337072952341932024-01-19T16:01:00.001-06:002024-01-19T16:01:42.183-06:00THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 25:4-9; 1 Corinthians 7:29:31; Mark 1:14-20The story of Prophet Jonah, his mission in Nineveh, and the repentance of the people of Nineveh was an illustration to the people of Israel when they returned from the Babylonian captivity. It was an example of the type of repentance that God required of the people of Israel. God used a non-Jewish people as an example for theHomilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-42730499002167881572024-01-11T15:52:00.000-06:002024-01-11T15:52:46.917-06:00 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19; Psalm 40, 2, 4, 7-10; 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20; John 1:35-42The first reading tells us the story of the call of young Samuel. The second reading is a call to a life of holiness. The gospel reading is about the call of three disciples of Jesus. It is not a mere coincidence that the theme of our celebration and reflection, after the Christmas season, is God’s invitation to Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-53228683629907339912024-01-05T11:36:00.010-06:002024-01-10T09:52:09.809-06:00THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD YEAR B, 2024 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSPIsaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 32-3, 5-; Matthew 2:1-12The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word ‘epiphania,’ meaning revelation or manifestation. Before the arrival of the Magi (also called the wise men), it was only the shepherds and those the shepherds told who knew about the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:17-18). As we have read in today’s gospel, it was the Magi who announced Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-80284640858308275102023-11-02T12:19:00.003-05:002024-01-10T09:53:14.910-06:0031ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2023 BY FR MARTIN EKE, MSP Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10; Psalm 131:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12A major duty of priests is to proclaim God’s commandments and explain it to the flock. Today, every priest is invited to self-examen. In the first reading, God says through Prophet Malachi, “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you” (Malachi 2:1). “You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-53631541165202576982023-10-26T09:45:00.001-05:002024-01-10T09:53:41.892-06:0030TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2023 BY FR MARTIN EKE, MSPExodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40In the first reading, the Israelites had left Egypt and were no longer under Pharaoh and the laws of Egypt. The reading is a section of the guiding rules God gave to the Israelites on how to take care of the weak and the needy among them. The reading mentions aliens, widows, orphans, and the poor.One would have Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-5234749616614251792023-10-20T16:02:00.002-05:002024-01-10T09:57:21.494-06:00 29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2023 BY FR MARTIN EKE, MSP Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21Today is World Mission Sunday. It is a Sunday set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activities through prayer and sacrifice. We are invited to, constantly, pray for the success of the Church’s missionary activities all over the world. In addition to our prayers, we Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-329400275974645742023-10-12T12:47:00.001-05:002024-01-10T09:57:50.419-06:0028TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2023 FR MARTIN EKE, MSPIsaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 23:1-6; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14The first reading is Isaiah’s prophecy of the mission of Jesus Christ. Every word in the first reading is fulfilled in Jesus: “A feast of rich food and choice wines… The veil that veils all peoples, he will destroy, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. He will wipe away the tears from every Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-49744623729090027462023-10-05T13:47:00.008-05:002024-01-10T09:56:17.923-06:00 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A, 2023 FR MARTIN EKE, MSPIsaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:9, 12-16; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43The first reading is a parable and Isaiah’s prophecy of the conquest of Jerusalem and Judah by Assyria in 701 BC, which was God’s punishment to the Israelites for their ingratitude and godlessness. Judah was God’s cherished vineyard that produced wild grapes instead of good grapes. Instead of judgement and justice, there were Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-52112188186584128012023-09-07T14:01:00.003-05:002024-01-10T10:07:25.024-06:0026TH Sunday in Ordinary Time of Year A, 2023 by Fr Martin Eke, MSP Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25:4-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32In the gospel, the first son who replied to his father, “I will not,” afterwards changed his mind and did his father’s will. But the second son who said “Yes, sir” to the father did not do his father’s will. Jesus used the parable to address the chief priests and the elders who refused to accept him as the savior sent by Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-61218049537738114952023-03-26T14:24:00.003-05:002024-01-10T10:06:58.128-06:00Homily of Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A, 2023 by Fr. Martin Eke, MSP Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130:1-8; Romans 8:8-11; John 1-45 Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. How is your Lenten journey going? Have you fulfilled the Lenten obligations of Repentance (Confession), Almsgiving (works of charity), Fasting and Abstinence, and Prayer?
The first reading was Ezekiel’s prophecy to the people of Israel while they were in exile in Babylon. They had resigned to hopelessness Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-50315054702445868152022-12-23T14:09:00.001-06:002024-01-10T10:08:07.681-06:00Homily for Christmas Year A- December 25, 2022 by Fr. Martin Eke, MSP<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-1588006719411422822022-11-11T11:57:00.001-06:002022-11-11T12:00:17.944-06:00November 13, 2022; 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time; Year (C) Readings: Malachi 3:19 -20; 2 Thess. 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19 Why Are You Afraid of Dying?1. It is reasonable to say that those who are afraid of dying never lived well or to the fullest. This would mean that we have not been able to do all that we planned to do or accomplish all that God intended for us to achieve before our demise. The Bible warns, “But the justHomilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731437165243276416.post-29463019258687910932022-10-14T13:55:00.002-05:002022-10-14T13:55:11.703-05:00Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for The Twenty Ninth- Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - October 16, 2022<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Homilies from the Missionaries of St. Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11570058961608240450noreply@blogger.com0