Posts by Fr. Sylvanus Amaobi
Rejoice and Shout for Joy: The Lord Promises
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The 3rd Sunday of Advent is called ‘the Gaudete Sunday,’ the Rejoice Sunday, or Joyful Sunday. The days are joyful because the coming of the savior of the world is imminent and very…
Read MoreLet Us Love One Another
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). In the first reading, addressing the chosen Lady, St John reiterated to her the importance of keeping to the commandment of love of neighbor. He tells her, “Let us love one another.” This…
Read More“THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME ONLY WITH LIP SERVICE WHILE THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME”
DO NOT TREAT HUMAN TRADITIONS AS DIVINE COMMANDMENTS: A Pharisee who invited Jesus Christ to dine with him at his home was amazed that Jesus Christ did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal, and he called Jesus Christ out on it. This was similar to the complaints brought to Jesus Christ by some…
Read MoreMy Ways Are Not Your Ways
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Man thinks and approbates in terms of success, glory, human honor, first places, and the like. But God’s ways are different. He stated, “My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are…
Read MoreThe Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”(Psalm 118:24). The Dogma of Assumption The Church teaches that “when the course of her earthly life was finished, the ImmaculateVirgin Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord…
Read MoreWash Yourselves Clean and Put Away Your Misdeeds
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). In today’s first reading, Isaiah presented God’s displeasure to the people. He was displeased by their burnt offerings of rams, fats of fatlings, and blood of calves, lambs, and goats. He detested their…
Read MoreLet Your “Yes” Mean “Yes” and Your “No” Mean “No”
Jesus’s teaching on oath-taking Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The fifth chapter of St. Matthew’s gospel records Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes) and some of His great teachings on the law and its significance. Jesus Christ…
Read MoreKeep Watch Over Yourselves and the Whole Flock
As Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, we are called to take care of one another. Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Paul lived among the presbyters of the church at Ephesus. He fellowshipped with them and taught them the…
Read MoreStephen, The First Martyr Did the Work of God
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Following in the Footsteps of Jesus Christ The opening prayer (collect) of today’s liturgy reads in part, “Grant, we pray, almighty God, that putting off our old self with all its ways, we…
Read MoreThe Suffering of the Just
Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The Wicked Continue to Plot Against the Upright The righteous person listens to God’s word as his or her moral guide. He or she makes a diligent effort to follow God’s teachings and…
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