David Michael Okechukwu's Blog

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco.  “Mom and Dad, I’m coming home, but I’ve a favor to ask. I have a friend I’d like to bring home with me. “Sure,” they replied, “we’d love to meet him.” “There’s something you should know,” the son continued, “he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.” “I’m sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live.” “No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us.” “Son,” said the father, “you don’t know what you’re asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can’t let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He’ll find a way to live on his own.” At that point, the son hung up the phon...

Today is the birthday of Pope Francis and all l wish him today is nothing more but for the strenght to lead us in the right part and l also wish you many more grace to work for God Amen. The Vatican is also promoting the Pope’s birthday on social media, encouraging users to take to their accounts with the hashtag: #Pontifex80. For those who want to send Pope Francis a note, they can write to him at following email addresses, divided by language: Latin: Papafranciscus80@vatican.va Italian: PapaFrancesco80@vatican.va Spanish/Portuguese: PapaFrancisco80@vatican.va English: PopeFrancis80@vatican.va French: PapeFrancois80@vatican.va German: PapstFranziskus80@vatican.va Polish: PapiezFranciszek80@vatican.va #Pontifex80  #Davidmichaellovesyou 

"SWEETNESS OF SOUR ORANGES "  "He often bought oranges from an old lady.After they were weighed, paid for and put in his bag, he would always pick one from his bag, peel it, put a segment in his mouth, complain it's sour and pass on the orange to the seller. The old lady would put one segment in her mouth and retort, "why, it's sweet," but by then he was gone with his bag.His wife, always with him, asked, "the oranges are always sweet, then why this drama every time?" He smiled, "the old mother sells sweet oranges but never eats them herself. This way I get her to eat one, without losing her money. That's all." The vegetable seller next to the old lady, saw this everyday. She chided, "every time this man fusses over your oranges, and I see that you always weigh a few extra for him. Why?" The old lady smiled, "I know he does this to feed me an orange, only, he thinks I don't understand. I ne...

Liturgical Colour: Violet. Readings at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Cf. Is 49: 13 Rejoice, O heavens, and exult, O earth, for our Lord will come to show mercy to his poor. ________ Collect O God, Creator and Redeemer of human nature, who willed that your Word should take flesh in an ever-virgin womb, look with favour on our prayers, that your Only Begotten Son, having taken to himself our humanity, may be pleased to grant us a share in his divinity. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading Genesis 49:2,8-10 Jacob called his sons and said: ‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen; listen to Israel your father. Judah, your brothers shall praise you: you grip your enemies by the neck, your father’s sons shall do you homage, Judah is a lion cub, you climb back, my son, from your kill; like a lion he crouches and lies down, or a lioness: who dare rouse him? The sce...

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime can break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.” The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were. Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we ...

In life, we must try our best to achieve success because success doesn't come easily. No matter the challenges we face, our mind, heart, spirit, soul and body should be focused on the goal we are pursuing and not relent because of the obstacles of life. The tougher the task, the better the result.  #Don'tgiveup #Davidmichaellovesyou 

Today's Verse “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20b During the holidays, many enjoy spending time with family. However, others may find themselves alone this Christmas. For those of you who are alone, be encouraged by the fact that you aren’t really alone; God sees and knows your pain. When you start to feel down, here are a few things to try: Reach out to someone you know who is on their own as well, find a place to volunteer, or take part in a Christmas celebration at a church somewhere close by. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even though it may be hard at first. Pray that God would provide someone for you to spend the holiday with. If you still find yourself alone on Christmas, celebrate with the Lord. He is great company. -- Commentary by Traci Elliott Today's Prayer Dear Lord, I pray a blessing over those who don’t have anyone to celebrate with this Christmas. I pray that you would sur...