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Showing posts from January, 2024

The Transformative Impact of Authentic Witness: Embracing Christ's Authority

  "The Transformative Impact of Authentic Witness: Embracing Christ's Authority" Homily for the 4th Sunday, Year B Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today, on this 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, reflect upon the profound and transformative teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. The readings of today speak to us about authority — authority rooted not in power or status, but in truth, experience, and authenticity. Our first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy (18:15-20) introduces us to the promise of God to raise a prophet like Moses, who will speak God's words. This prophet, as we know, is Jesus Christ. He comes not to proclaim his own ideas but to express the will of the Father. The authority of Jesus is not like the authority of earthly rulers; it is grounded in His deep communion with the Father and His commitment to doing the Father's will. In our second reading, from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (7:32-35), we hear about the importanc

Repent and Believe the Good News

Repent and Believe the Good News... Fr. Patrick Etuk ...As we gather on this 3rd Sunday of the year, the liturgical readings guide us toward a profound theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures: repentance. From Jonah's mission to Nineveh to Jesus' call to his first disciples, we are invited to reflect on the urgency of turning back to God and embracing a life of faith. In the first reading, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, we witness the power of God's word to evoke change. Jonah, initially reluctant, finally goes to Nineveh and proclaims God's message. The response is immediate and communal. The Ninevites, from the greatest to the least, demonstrate profound humility and a deep commitment to change. Their actions show us that repentance is not merely a private affair but a communal endeavor. Their sackcloth and fasting are external signs of an internal transformation, a powerful reminder that our faith must be lived out in community, supporting and strengthening one another in o

"Answering God's Call: Embracing His Purpose and Presence"

  "Answering God's Call: Embracing His Purpose and Presence"... by Fr. Patrick Etuk, MSP ...Today, as we mark the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, we are presented with two powerful stories that remind us of the call of God in our lives. The first reading tells us of the call of the young Samuel, and the Gospel recounts the call of the first disciples of Jesus. These stories offer us valuable insights into the nature of God's call and the role of mediation in our journey of faith.  In the Old Testament, we encounter Samuel, a young boy who heard the voice of God in the stillness of the night. In a world where prophecy was scarce, Samuel was attentive and open to God's call. The Scriptures remind us that God never ceases to speak; we are often the ones who are too distracted to listen. Samuel lived in the presence of God and loved that presence deeply. Unlike the other sons of Eli, he did not defile himself, rather, he consecrated himself to God's service. This