REFLECTION FOR TODAY February 8, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed. Mark 6:56 God is both transcendent and immanent;…
Category: Fr Ibegbulem
MAKING OUR TIME TO PRAY
REFLECTION FOR TODAY February 7, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to…
THE COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY OF JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, February 6, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34 Our gospel reference today, reveals to us Jesus’ emotion and…
HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE?
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, February 5, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Mark 6:20 King Herod knew that John the Baptist was…
TRUSTING IN DIVINE PROVIDENCE
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, February 4, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. Mark 6:7–8 Why…
FAMILIARITY WITH JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, February 3, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:3 Our gospel reference today presents us with the…
THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, February 2, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”…
THERE IS NO HOPELESS CASE IN JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, February 1, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He…
THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 31, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. Mark 1:25–26 Our gospel reference today reveal an exorcism Jesus carried our in the synagogue after teaching those present with…
FAITH IN JESUS CARE IN THE STORMS OF LIFE
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 30, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the…
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF GOD’S GRACE
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 29, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he…
THE REVELATION OF ALL THINGS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 28, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.” Mark 4:22 It is presumed that light is always welcomed. Especially when it is dark, light will give some comfort and security. That is why Jesus…
THE EXTRAVAGANT GOD AND ANXIETY OF THE HUMAN HEART
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 27, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.” Mark 4:20 Christ gives himself freely…
THE SPIRITUAL FAMILY BOND: DOING THE WILL OF GOD
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 26, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:34–35 In our gospel reference today, Jesus, after being told that his mother and brothers and sisters were asking for him, said,…
AN ENCOUNTER THAT TRANSFORMED
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 25, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17 Saint Paul known as Saul of Tarsus was a…
RESPONDING TO THE CALL
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 24, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets…
OTHER PAINS AND SUFFERINGS OF JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 23, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:20-21 We…
AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 22, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:14–15 The Twelve Apostles were first called by Jesus and then sent to…
LONGING TO TOUCH JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 21, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. Mark 3:9–10 When…
THE ANGER OF JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 20, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of…