Monthly Archives: February 2026

The Crowd, the Saints and Love  1 Kings 12:26-32, 13:33-34; Psalm 106; Mark 8:1-10 The Gospel presents us with the feeding of the four thousand people. This miraculous feeding of the crowds has not stopped. Jesus feeds us daily with his word and the Eucharist. This food gives us strength to journey through this world […]

Care for the disabled 1 Kings 11:29-32, 12:19; Psalm 80; Mark 7:31-37 The Gospel says, “They brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech, and they asked him to lay his hand on him.” Those who brought the deaf and dumb man to Jesus represent those who truly care for people […]

Children and Dogs 1 Kings 11:4–13; Psalm 106; Mark 7:24–30 In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the striking metaphor of “children and dogs”. In the language of the time, children represented the Jews, heirs of the covenant, while dogs referred to the Gentiles, those outside the promise. It is a hard image, but meant to reveal […]

REV. FR. DANIEL EVBOTOKHAI SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION The message of the Narrow Gate is rooted in Matthew 7:13–14, where Jesus calls His listeners to enter through the narrow gate that leads to life, warning that the broad road, though attractive and popular, ends in destruction. This teaching is deepened by John 10:9, where Jesus identifies Himself […]

From the Crowd to Contact 1 Kings 8:1–7, 9–13; Psalm 131; Mark 6:53–56 In today’s Gospel, we are told that the people “laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.” This detail is important. They did not […]

AT ST. MALACHY CATHOLIC CHURCH, SAPELE. BY REV. FR. DANIEL EVBOTOKHAI 1. Introduction: A Gospel of today (Matthew 5:13–16) is a good point of departure as we reflect and celebrate the 10ᵗʰ Priestly Ordination Anniversary of REV. FR. ORJINTA O. Orjinta (Matthew 5:13–16) Fr. Orjinta “You are the salt of the earth… You are the […]

The Courage to Live the Truth Ecclesiasticus 47:2-13, Psalm 17:31,47,50-51, Mark 6:14-29 John the Baptist was killed for speaking the truth. Herod thought he could end the problem by silencing the prophet, but truth outlives every execution. His tragedy was sealed by rash words, pride, and the desire to please the crowd, a warning that […]

Mission of the Twelve 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; Psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Mark 6:7-13 In the gospel, Jesus sent the disciples out two by two with the message of repentance. The mission of the Twelve is the basis of our faith today. Mission keeps the church alive. If the church does not send it, it […]

David’s Census  2 Samuel 24:2, 8–17; Psalm 31; Mark 6:1–6 David orders a census, not for worship, not for gratitude, but for control and pride. He wants numbers to reassure him, statistics to secure him, and strength he can measure. God is displeased because the census exposes David’s heart: he trusted soldiers more than God.  […]