REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 30, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA There was a prophetess, Anna…She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem….
Author: Steve2020
RESPONDING TO THE EVENT WITH WONDER AND AWE
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 29, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will…
NEW YEAR REFLECTION
JOURNEY WITH MARY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT “Happy New Year! The human family will hardly forget the year 2020 in a hurry. The horror and devastation of Covid-19 pandemic which brought sadness, misery and sorrow to many families will continue to linger in our memories. The year also prevented many Catholics and Charismatics from public…
HOLY INNOCENTS: LIGHT OVER DARKNESS AND EVIL
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 28, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child…
HOLY FAMILY
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 27, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:39–40 On this…
THE GREATEST WITNESS OF FAITH
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 26, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7:58–59 Jesus, after…
PONDERING ON THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 25, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been…
THE GOD OF RESTORATION
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 23, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Luke 1:64 Our gospel reference today reveals the happy conclusion to Zechariah’s initial failure to believe in what God revealed to him. Recall that nine months earlier, as Zechariah was fulfilling…
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY’S SONG OF PRAISE
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 22, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” Luke 1:46–47 In our gospel reference today we hear the glorious song of praise of our Blessed Mother, the Magnificat. This line from the Magnificat poses the question: “Which…
REACHING OUT TO OTHERS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 21, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Lk. 1:39-40 In our gospel reference today we are presented with the glorious story of…
ALLOWING GOD AS AN HANDMAID
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 20, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Lk. 1:38 What does it mean to be a “handmaid of the Lord?” The word “handmaid” means “servant.” And Mary identifies herself as a servant. Specifically,…
ZECHARIAH QUESTIONED
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 19, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe…
THE SCANDAL OF THE MYSTERIOUS PREGNANCY
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 18, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to…
THE ROYAL LINEAGE OF JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 17, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Matt. 1:15-16 The royal lineage of Jesus is of utmost importance to the evangelist…
THE IDENTITY OF JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 16, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.”…
VIRTUE IN ACTION: A CALL TO CHANGE
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 15, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will…
DO NOT BE AFRAID
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 12, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. Luke 1:30–31 Today we celebrate five successive apparitions of…
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL?
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 11, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not…
CHARITY
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 10, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:11 Making preparations for Christmas often consumes us at this time of…
DIVINE INVITATION
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 9, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 Being a follower of Jesus can demand much of us. We are called to love our neighbors and our enemies, to be witnesses of Jesus and…