22nd Sunday of the Year, B – September 1, 2024. Readings: Deut. 4:1-2.6-8; Ps 15:2-3a.3bc-4ab.5(R.1a); James 1:17-18.21b-22.27; Gospel – Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23. Sunday Synopsis The first reading discloses that God charged the Israelites to be diligent to his word, statutes, and judgments. In the second reading, St. James states that “as God’s first fruits,” the faithful are urged to be wholehearted, consistent, and comprehensive in following God. The Gospel recalls the criticism Jesus received from some Pharisees and Scribes who came from Jerusalem and accused his disciples of eating with unclean hands. We are challenged to blend observing the Living Traditions of the Church with the practical…
Author: Justine John Dyikuk
20th Sunday of the Year, B – August 18, 2024. Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6; Ps 34:1-2.9-10.11-12.13-14 (R.8a); Ephesians 5:15:20; Gospel – John 6:51-58. Sunday Synopsis In the first reading, wisdom is personified as a Lady who built a house prepared an irresistible meal, and invited all to partake. The second reading recounts how St. Paul encourages us to redeem the wicked world we live in by the power of wisdom and the Holy Spirit while singing psalms and hymns of thanksgiving to the Father through Christ. The gospel presents us with an expose of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Communicants are…
19th Sunday of the Year, B – August 11, 2024. Readings: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Ps 34:2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9 (R.9a); Ephesians 4:30-5:2; Gospel – John 6:41-51. The first reading recalls how the Prophet Elijah was hungry on his way to Horeb and wanted to kill himself, but God’s angel fed him with scones and water. In the second reading, St. Paul urges us not to bear grudges against others, lose our temper, raise our voices, call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. This points to living a Eucharistic life. The Gospel reveals how Jesus says, “I am the bread of life – the…
17th Sunday of the Year, B – July 28, 2024. Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Ps 144:10-11,15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6 & Gospel – John 6:1-15. The first reading recounts how a man from Baal Shalishah brought twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain from his first fruits to Prophet Elisha. In the second reading, St. Paul urges us to bear with one another charitably. In the gospel, Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish among five thousand people who ate and were filled. The feeding of the five thousand which prefigures the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist instituted by Christ invites…
16th Sunday of the Year, B – July 21, 2024. Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ps 22:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Gospel – Mark 6:30-34. Sunday Synopsis In the first reading, God pronounces judgment on the shepherds of Israel for being self-serving and promises a new leadership through the Davidic dynasty. In the second reading, St. Paul states that we who were far off have been brought closer “by the blood of Christ” and are at peace because we have been reconciled with him. The gospel presents Jesus as a true Shepherd and compassionate saviour. Unlike the shepherds of Israel who were self-serving, he proved…
15th Sunday of the Year, B – July 14, 2024. Readings: Amos 7:12-15; Ps 84:9-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; Gospel – Mark 6:7-13. Sunday Synopsis The first reading discloses the clash between Amaziah the priest, who sugarcoats God’s word for personal gain, and prophet Amos, who speaks truth to power. The second reading points to our baptism in Christ as a presupposition for discipleship. The gospel presents us with the call to discipleship and the mandate to form a synergy in preaching the gospel. Jesus’ call to discipleship reminds us to beware of materialism, care for the sick, and act with authority over…
Fourteenth Sunday of the Year, B – July 7, 2024. Readings: Ezekiel 2:2-5; Ps 122:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 & Gospel – Mark 6:1-6. Our first reading discloses that it is in the “season of dry bones of defeat, plunder, and death – Babylonian captivity” that the Prophet Ezekiel was called to offer hope. In the second reading, St. Paul bears testimony to how Satan tried to be a thorn in his flesh as he tried to carry out his missionary mandate, but the Lord assured him: “My grace is enough for you.” The gospel discloses how the people of Nazareth,…
13th Sunday of the Year, B – June 30, 2024. Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24; Ps 29:2,4-6,11-13; 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15; Gospel – Mark 5:21-43. Sunday Synopsis The first reading reveals that death came into the world because of the devil’s envy. In the second reading, St. Paul speaks to the heart of faith and the works of mercy. The gospel reading presents us with two powerful miracles of Jesus aimed at the restoration of health and life. The healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter urges us to embrace the culture of life and…
12th Sunday of the Year, B – June 23, 2024. Readings: Job 38:1,8-11; Psalm 106:23-26,28-32; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 & Gospel – Mark 4:26-34. Sunday Synopsis In the first reading, Job and his friends focused on the meaning of individual suffering, but God revealed that he had the final word. In the second reading, St. Paul discloses that since one man died and rose again, the faithful are invited to live “no longer for themselves” but for him. The gospel discloses how the sea and the wind obeyed Jesus who delivered his disciples who were frightened. Amidst the winds and storms…
11th Sunday of the Year, B – June 16, 2024. Readings: Ezekiel 17:22-24; Ps 92:1-2.12-13.14-15(R.1a); 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Gospel – Mark 4:26-34. Sunday Synopsis In the first reading, the Prophet Ezekiel uses the analogy of a tree to establish that that God shall plant a shoot on a very high mountain. In the second reading, St. Paul assures that we live by faith and not by sight. Christians must learn to be exiled from the flesh and desire to please God. In the two Parables of the Seed and Mustard Seed, the Seed is the word of God in the heart of…
10th Sunday of the Year B – June 9, 2024. Readings: Genesis 3:9-15; Responsorial Psalm Ps130:1-2.3-4.5-7a(R.7bc); 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 & Gospel – Mark 3:20-35. The first reading which presents the fall of man points to three epochal realities in the economy of salvation – the original state of blessedness that Adam and Eve initially enjoyed, the state of fallen humanity occasioned by eating the forbidden fruit, and restored humanity which Jesus would establish on calvary. In the second reading, St. Paul reveals that grace and thanksgiving multiply among God’s people because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel which discloses that the…
Homily for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi: Year B – June 2, 2024. Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-24,29-31,34; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16.22-26. The first reading recalls the Covenant between God and the people of Israel that was sealed with the blood of animals. In the second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews established that Christ initiated a new covenant not through the blood of goats and bulls but through his blood which pleads more insistently than Abel’s. The gospel which discloses that Jesus ate the Passover with his disciples introduces singing/praying the psalms as an essential component of the Liturgy. We…
The pain of losing someone close or dear is personal and deep. It is even worse when that person is a good priest – it takes a decade to produce a priest and a lifetime to forget one who lives an impactful life. When bad things happen, words seem inadequate to expresss how one feels. This one hurts differently – deeply as a sharp knife. But what do we do except to resign to the will of God – the author and finisher of our lives. The news of the demise of Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Achuf Attawal came to…
Today Sunday, 12 May observed as World Day of Social Communications, Pope Francis has drawn the attention of the world to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the wisdom of the heart. In his 58th World Day Message titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a Fully Human Communication,” the Holy Father encouraged everyone to enjoy the benefits of digital technology without losing sight of the creator and his plan for humanity. Interestingly, on April 26, the Vatican announced that the Pope would participate in a session dedicated to AI at the G7 summit in Puglia, Southern Italy…
Readings: 1R Acts 1:15-17.20-26 RP Ps 102, 2R 1 Jn 4:11-16 G Jn 17:11b-19. Sunday Synopsis Our first reading recounts how Matthias was chosen to replace Judas who betrayed the Lord. The second reading invites us to love one another since God has loved us. In the gospel, Jesus consecrates himself and consecrates his disciples as well. Just as the disciples were concreted for missionary work, Jesus consecrates himself as a priest for heavenly sacrifice. On World Communication Sunday, Pope Francis enjoins us to enjoy the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, he warns that it must not lead to…
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B – May 5, 2024. Readings: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48; Ps 98:1-2-3ab.3cd-4(R.2); 1 John 4:7-10; Gospel – John 15:9-17. The first reading recalls the conversion of Cornelius and his household and how Peter revealed that God has no favourites. In the second reading St. John charges us to love one another since God loved us first. He maintains that everyone who fails to love cannot claim to know God. The gospel often referred to as “the gospel of love” emphasises that Jesus charged his disciples to love unconditionally. Amid sin, wars and violence across the world, we are challenged to…
Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B – April 28, 2024. Readings: Acts 9:26-31; Ps 21:26-28,30-32; 1 John 3:18-24; Gospel – John 15:1-8. The first reading relates how Saul, a new convert to the Christian faith preached fearlessly in Jerusalem after Barnabas had introduced him to the Saints. The second reading charges that our love must not be only in words but in action as well. The gospel invites us to discipleship by being grafted on Christ, the vine. Jesus insists that by so doing: “You should bear much, and then you will be my disciples.” Introduction Friends in Christ, today’s…
Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis Third Sunday of Easter, Year B – April 14, 2024. Readings: Acts 3:13-15,17-19; Ps 4:2,4,7,9; 1 John 2:1-5; Gospel – Luke 24:35-48. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the early Christians were charged by St. Peter to repent and turn to God to have their sins forgiven. In the second reading, St. John charges us to stop sinning and repent. The gospel of Luke records the appearance of Jesus to the Apostles on their way to Emmaus. It tells how they recognised him at the breaking of the bread and how…
Catholic faithful in the United Kingdom have been charged to preserve their ancestral heritage of seeing the Church as their “village square” and Jesus Christ as the moonlight they “watch together” despite being in a foreign land. This charge was given by the new chaplain of the Nigerian Catholic Community, England and Wales, Fr. Alexander Izang Atu during his installation ceremony which held recently on the Feast of St. Patrick’s at Our Lady and St. Joseph Catholic Church, Balls Pond Road, Dalston, Kingsland, London. The Chaplaincy which dates to 1985 when Francis Cardinal Arinze celebrated Holy Mass for Africans at…
Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) – April 07, 2024. Readings: Acts 4:32-35; Ps 117:2-4.15-18.22-24; 1 John 5:1-6; Gospel – John 20:19-31. Theme: Mercy As Post-Easter Mandate! Sunday Synopsis Our first reading details that the whole group of believers were united in heart and soul as they had everything in common. In the second reading, John reveals that only Jesus who came by water, blood and spirit testifies to the truth and has conquered the world. The gospel recounts how Jesus appeared to the Apostles on the first day…
Introduction Easter is around the corner. From Ash Wednesday when we received ashes, our Lenten journey began with a call to embrace the annual Lenten observances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. What is more, by following Jesus in the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross), the Church urges us to reflect on the lessons of this Holy Season. The Easter Triduum, the peak of the Holy Week Ceremonies invites us to spiritually prepare for the Easter celebration. This sublime season has irresistible spiritual meals for both private and public upliftment. While we try to understand the message of Easter, we…
Readings: Is. 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9.17-18a.19-20.23-24(R.2a); Phil. 2:6-11; Gospel – Mark 14:1-15:47. Theme – Lessons in Self-Emptying Sunday Synopsis In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah speaks about the suffering servant. The second reading presents Jesus as a humble servant who though was in the form of God, did not count equality with him as a thing to be grasped. He [Jesus] was humbler yet to accept death, on the cross, but God raised him and gave him a name which is superior to all other names under heaven. The gospel presents the passion narrative with theological and pastoral insights. Jesus’…
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B – March 17, 2024. Readings: Jer. 31:31-34; Ps 50:3-4,12-15; Hebrews 5:7-9; Gospel – John 12:20-33. Theme: Lifting Others! Sunday Synopsis In the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah says the Lord will make a covenant with the House of Israel. The second reading states that Christ “learned to obey through suffering.” The gospel tells how Jesus replied to the Greeks, Galileans as well as Philip and Andrew that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. He emphasises in veiled language that unless a wheat grain falls to the ground…
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B (Laetare Sunday) – March 10, 2024 Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23; Ps 136:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10; Gospel – John 3:14-21. Theme: Living by the Truth! Sunday Synopsis The first reading recounts how Israel lived falsehood by following foreign gods which led to the Babylonian Captivity. In the second reading, St. Paul urges us to live “the good life,” through the Truth that is revealed in Jesus Christ, whom God raised. The Gospel reading presents Jesus as the Son of Man, the Truth, the Life and the Light. As we celebrate “Rejoice Sunday,” we are urged to…
Second Sunday of Lent, Year B – February 25, 2024. Readings: Genesis 22:1-2,9-13,15-18; Ps 115:10,15-19; Romans 8:31-34; Gospel – Mark 9:2-10. Theme: The Tabor and Calvary of Our Lives! Sunday Synopsis Our first reading recounts the faith of Abraham, who obeyed God through his willingness to offer his only son, Isaac. In the second reading, St. Paul insists that God did not spare his Son but gave him up to benefit us. The gospel reveals the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor where Peter, James, and John saw his glory. With prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we are sure to overcome…
First Sunday of Lent, Year B – February 18, 2024. Readings: Genesis 9:8-15; Ps 24:4-6,7-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Gospel – Mark 1:12-15. Theme: Rainbow as a Sign of Contradiction! Sunday Synopsis The first reading reveal God’s covenantal love for humanity through Noah and his family. In the second reading, St. Peter draws a typology between the events of the old and the New Testament by disclosing that just as eight people were saved “by water” at Noah’s time, Christians are redeemed by the water of baptism. The gospel recalls Jesus’ faithfulness in resisting temptation the devil through 40 days’ fasting…
ShikrotMpwi – Ash Wednesday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk – 14 February2024 Readings: Joel 2:12-18; Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:3-4, 5-6AB 12, 14 & 17; 2nd Cor. 5:20-6:2; Gospel Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18. Theme: A Lent in Love! Synopsis The first reading invites the faithful of Yahweh to return to the Lord with their hearts, fasting, weeping, and mourning. In the second reading, St. Paul states that because we are ambassadors for Christ, God is appealing to us to be reconciled with him.The Gospel urges the faithful not to parade our good works. Rather than being hypocrites, it charges that we…
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B: World Day of the Sick – February 11, 2024. Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46; Ps 31:1-2,6,11; 1 Cor. 10:31-11:1; Gospel – Mark 1:40-45. Theme: Doing the Unthinkable for Christ! Sunday Synopsis The first reading discloses the characteristic compassionate nature of God who commanded Moses to instruct Aaron about the plight of lepers. In the second reading, St. Paul urges believers not to do anything that is offensive to others but to work for the good of all. Today’s gospel tells how Jesus defied culture and social conventions to touch and heal a leper who cried…
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – February 4, 2024 Readings: Job 7:1-4,6-7; Ps 146:1-6; 1 Cor. 9:16-19,22-23; Gospel – Mark 1:29-39. Theme: Conquering Evil! Sunday Synopsis The first reading which highlights human suffering and the shortness of life, details Job’s lamentation about the problem of evil. The message of Saint Paul in the second reading relates with the gospel because it underscores strength in weakness through Christ. The gospel tells us where to find answers to the problem of evil – Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Today’s liturgy assures that we can only conquer evil through the…
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – January 21, 2024. Readings: Jonah 3:1-5,10; Ps 24:4-6,7-9; 1 Cor. 7:13-29-31; Gospel – Mark 1:14-20. Theme: The Cost of Discipleship! Sunday Synopsis The first reading recounts the sweet conversion narrative of the people of Nineveh. The second reading points to a similar sense of alacrity with a call for all to embrace holiness because “time is growing short.” The gospel reflects the theme of repentance and a call to believe the Good News. By stating that the disciples left their nets and their father to follow Jesus, the reading points to…
