Posts by Sr. Olisaemeka Rosemary
Assurance of Peace to Those Who Trust in God
The first reading of today from the prophecy of Hosea 14:2-10 presents us with a call to repentance, namely, amending what is not straight in one’s life and/or at least taking note of them. The gospel from Matthew 10:16-23 offers us insights on radical trust in divine providence – something that becomes meaningful daily as…
Read MoreJesus’ Alliance with Tradition and the Call to Hand on the Faith
In the gospel of today (Mt 5:17-19), Jesus affirms the enduring validity of the Scriptures: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the…
Read MoreFirm in Faith, Hope and Charity – Our Easter Proclamation
The last two Sundays, and at Easter, we proclaimed the great Alleluia of the Lord’s resurrection. Today, the fourth Sunday of Eastertide, we continue to read the post-Easter message from the Acts of the Apostles and the Evangelists. The readings continue the testimony of the power of the resurrection and its effects in the life…
Read MoreThe Problem of ‘Othering’
Jeremiah and Jesus Judged and Condemned We are drawing closer to the end of the Lenten season and nearing the Holy Week when we recall Jesus’ perseverance in doing the will of God. In addition to the works of penance, prayer, and almsgiving, we are challenged by the readings occurring at this period to reflect…
Read MoreForgive Others Their Transgressions
Today’s gospel (Mt 6:7-15) presents us with the charge to forgive others their transgressions. It is said that forgiveness is divine because it is seemingly not in the nature of human beings to let go of hurts done to them by others. The normal human instinct would be to retaliate – to take our own…
Read MoreBelieving the Right Way
In today’s readings (1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30; Mk 7:1-13), we are faced with two traditions that present varied patterns of ways of living out the faith. In the first reading, Solomon presents us with ardent faith that is concretized in a life of prayer backed up by humility. The gestures of Solomon expose much of…
Read MoreFinding Fulfillment in One’s Calling
John the Baptist as the Forerunner of Jesus Today’s Gospel (Jn 3:22-30) demonstrates the transition from the ministry of John the Baptist to that of Jesus. And offers some intriguing points about Jesus’ ministry and the role of John as the forerunner of Jesus. The encounter that took place between John the Baptist and his…
Read MoreThe Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“Be it done unto me according to your Word” Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Feast centers on the fulfilment of God’s plans for the redemption of humankind. Mary, destined to be the Mother of Jesus the redeemer of humanity, was preserved from every stain…
Read MoreBe On Your Guard Against Sin
Temptations To Sin When I returned to my religious community at the completion of my studies, I faced a lot of personal challenges. Being scholarly well-informed about the renewals and reforms that have taken place in Catholicism, and schooled in the intellectual movements of modernity and enlightenment, I became critical of many things. I saw…
Read MoreOpen-mindedness to God’s Deeds
The prophet Joel, in the first reading (Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2), invites the people to deeper commitment to the life of faith. The prophet is concerned with strengthening formal observances of prayer, such as the temple liturgy, and an inward conversion. Furthermore, a fast and a solemn assembly of the people is to be proclaimed by…
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