REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 19, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” Mark…
Category: Fr Ibegbulem
WHAT IS FASTING FOR YOU?
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 18, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day”….
OUR VOCATION OF BRINGING OTHERS TO JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 17, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas”—which is translated Peter. John 1:42 God’s call is always on us. In the preceding verse of our gospel reference today,…
FOLLOW ME
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 16, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. Mark 2:14 Jesus calls us to place our trust in him and to follow him. Responding…
THE ENCOUNTER OF FAITH, LOVE AND PERSEVERANCE THAT BRINGS HEALING
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 15, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Mark…
BRING THEM TO JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 14, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Mark 1:40–41…
THE POWER OVER DEMONS & RESTORATION IN JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 13, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them…
JESUS REBUKES THE EVIL SPIRIT WITH AUTHORITY
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 12, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!…
JESUS BEGAN HIS MINISTRY
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 11, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:14–15 Jesus offers us authentic love and freedom. When we have a true encounter with…
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 10, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And…
WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 9, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John 3:26 John the Baptist is an example of humility for us, rejecting any implication that he and Jesus are…
PRAYER AND COMMUNION WITH GOD
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 8, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray. Lk. 5:15-16 The foundation of our faith is that Jesus Christ is…
THE REPUTATION OF JESUS SPREAD OVER
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 7, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. LK. 4:21-22. As we heard from our gospel reference today, the Spirit of the Lord…
DO NOT BE AFRAID
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 6, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” Mark 6:50 Fear is one of the most paralyzing and painful experiences in life. At this time in our history, it is not gain stating the truth that many people are afraid of the unknown,…
A HEART MOVED WITH COMPASSION
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 5, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA When Jesus 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 God’s love was revealed to us in his sending of his only…
BRING THEM TO JESUS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 4, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA They brought to Jesus all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them. Matthew 4:24 Just as the night cannot stand when the dawn breaks over the horizon, Jesus, who is…
RESPONDING TO THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 3, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him…
THE HUMILITY OF JOHN
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 2, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” John 1:26–27 It’s not enough to simply not deny Jesus; instead, we are…
MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, January 1, 2021 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Happy New Year! Our Christmas Octave would not be complete without paying special attention to the glorious Mother of God! Mary, the mother of Jesus, the mother of the Savior…
THE POWER OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS
REFLECTION FOR TODAY, December 31, 2020 By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:3–5 By becoming human, Jesus enters into the darkness of the world’s…