Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai KINGDOM GROWTH Jesus preached about the kingdom and its proximity during the course of his earthly ministry. He used different images and parables to speak to the people about the kingdom. Today’s gospel presents us with three such parables: The Parable of the Weeds (Matt. 13:24–30); the Parable of the Mustard Seed […]
Monthly Archives: July 2023
22
Jul
Jul
ST. MARY MAGDALENE SONG OF SONGS 3:1-4 PSALM 63; JOHN 20:1-2, 11-18 Mary Magdalene is honoured as the ‘prima testis’ of the Lord’s resurrection, the first to see the empty tomb and the first to hear the truth of His resurrection. St. Thomas Aquinas called her ‘Apostolorum Apostola’ that is, “the Apostle of the […]
21
Jul
Jul
THE PASSOVER EXODUS 11:10-12:14; PSALM 116; MATTHEW 12:1-8 The first reading presents us with the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. It was a celebration that marked the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was also the “passing over” of the forces of destruction, or the sparing of the firstborn of […]
20
Jul
Jul
GOD’S DIVINE ATTRIBUTE EXODUS 3:13-20; PSALM 105; MATTHEW 11:28-30 God revealed his name to Moses as “I Am who I Am.” This name means that God is ever present. It is similar to the New Testament expression in Revelation 1:8, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who […]
19
Jul
Jul
The Burning Bush EXODUS 3:1-6, 9-12; PSALM 103; MATTHEW 11:25-27 The first reading presents us with the Burning Bush experience. The burning bush represents many things to the Jews and Christians; such as God’s miraculous energy, sacred light, illumination, the burning heart of purity, love and clarity. It also represents Moses’ reverence and fear before […]
18
Jul
Jul
UNREPENTANT CHRISTIANS EXODUS 2:1-15; PSALM 69; MATTHEW 11:20-24 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matt. 11:21). With these words Jesus denounced the towns in which most of […]
15
Jul
Jul
The Conditions of the Hearts and their Spiritual Results ISAIAH 55:10-11/PSALMS 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14/ROMANS 8:18-23/ MATTHEW 13:1-23 The first reading and the gospel reading of today present us with the themes of seed and sower. In the first reading Isaiah says that both rain and snow water the earth and cause the seeds to […]
14
Jul
Jul
Envy and Hatred GENESIS 49:29-33, 50:15-26; PSALM 105; MATTHEW 10:24-38 In the first reading Joseph said to his brothers “God has turned the evil you planned into good”. The story of Joseph reflects the crisis in most families; envy, hatred, and devilish attack. Joseph was a just man and so the Lord delivered him. Psalm […]
14
Jul
Jul
Reunion GENESIS 46:1-7, 28-30; PSALM 37; MATTHEW 10:16-23 The first reading presents us with Jacob’s reunion with Joseph. It was revealed to Jacob that his son Joseph is still alive! He is in fact a ruler in Egypt. Unable to trust them, Jacob was astounded. However, he was full of joy when he saw the […]
13
Jul
Jul
SPIRITUAL POWER IS FREE GENESIS 44:18-21, 23-29, 45:1-5; PSALM 105; MATTHEW 10:7-15 In the Gospel Jesus instructed the twelve saying “You received without charge: give without charge”. The same applies to us today. We must understand that the spiritual office we occupy is a product of grace not hard work. Therefore, we must dispense this […]