David Michael Okechukwu's Blog

Thursday of week 29 in Ordinary Time   or Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest  About Today Year: C(II). Psalm week: 1. Liturgical Colour: Green. St Paul of the Cross (1694 - 1775) He was born at Ovada in Liguria. As a young man he helped his father, who was a merchant. He aspired to a perfect life, abandoned all his possessions and started to live in the service of the poor and sick. He gathered companions to help him in the task.     He became a priest and worked more and more for the salvation of souls. He set up houses for his congregation and devoted himself to apostolic labours. He inflicted harsh penances on himself. He died at Rome on 18 October 1775.     Blessed Daudi Okelo (1902 - 1918) and Jildo Irwa (1906 - 1918) Southern Africa These two catechists died for their faith on 20 October 1918 at Paimol in Northern Uganda. They were still very young – Daudi was 16, while Jildo was only 12 – and yet they were eager to share t...

  Thursday of week 29 in Ordinary Time   or Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest  Liturgical Colour: Green. Readings at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8 To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me. ________ Collect Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading Ephesians 3:14-21 This is what I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:     Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and...

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision. The director discovered from the CV that the youth’s academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, Never had a year when he did not score. The director asked, “Did you obtain any scholarships in school?” The youth answered “none”. The director asked,  “Was it your father who paid for your school fees?” The youth answered, “My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees”. The director asked,  “Where did your mother work?” The youth answered, “My mother worked as clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect”. The director asked,  “Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes befo...

Saints John of Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their Companions, Martyrs  (Wednesday of week 29 in Ordinary Time) About Today Year: C(II). Psalm week: 1. Liturgical Colour: Red. Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions Between 1642 and 1649 these eight members of the Society of Jesus, who had travelled to North America to preach the true faith, were killed by the native Huron and Iroquois tribes after horrible tortures. Isaac Jogues died on 18 October 1647, and John de Brébeuf on 16 March 1648.   St Philip Howard (1557-1595) Arundel & Brighton Philip Howard was born at Arundel House, London, 18 June 1557, and died in the Tower of London on 19 October 1595. He was educated partly under John Foxe, the Church of England martyrologist and partly at Cambridge. He married Anne, Countess of Arundel and Surrey. In 1580 he succeeded to the Earldom of Arundel. He frequented the Court, and knew and entertained the queen. Towards the close of ...

Wednesday of week 29 in Ordinary Time  (Saints John of Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their Companions, Martyrs ) Liturgical Colour: Red.   Reading at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Cf. Gal 6: 14; 1 Cor 1: 18 May we never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the word of the Cross is the power of God to us who have been saved. ________ Collect O God, who chose to manifest the blessed hope of your eternal kingdom by the toil of Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues and their companions and by the shedding of their blood, graciously grant that through their intercession the faith of Christians may be strengthened day by day. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading  Ephesians 3:2-12 You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was b...

Today's Verse “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” -Proverbs 31:25 Do you ever worry about the future? Maybe you wonder what bad things are going to happen just around the corner of life. I think we probably all have those moments of worry. In this verse, we see that the virtuous wife doesn’t fear the future, in fact; she laughs at it. If only we could have this attitude! The good news is I think we can. We are all human and we all have our moments of fear, but I think that we can tap into this confidence that the virtuous wife had. The answer lies with another of this woman’s qualities; she “fears the Lord.” When we have more fear or reverence for God than we do for whatever may come in the future, then we can laugh with confidence, knowing that He is greater than all adversity. – Commentary by Traci Elliott Today's Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for always being with us and giving us confiden...

Saint Luke, Evangelist - Feast  About Today Year: C(II). Psalm week: 1. Liturgical Colour: Red. Saint Luke, Evangelist He was a Greek doctor who converted to Christianity. He was a companion of the Apostle Paul, and wrote his Gospel in accordance with Paul’s teaching. He also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, which narrates the early history of the Church up to Paul’s first stay in Rome. As a Greek, he takes care to explain to Gentile readers Jewish customs and the meaning of Hebrew words. ________ Liturgical colour: red Red is the colour of fire and of blood. Liturgically, it is used to celebrate the fire of the Holy Spirit (for instance, at Pentecost) and the blood of the martyrs.

Saint Luke, Evangelist - Feast  Liturgical Colour: Red. Readings at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Is 52: 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation! ________ Collect Lord God, who chose Saint Luke to reveal by his preaching and writings the mystery of your love for the poor, grant that those who already glory in your name may persevere as one heart and one soul and that all nations may merit to see your salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading 2 Timothy 4:10-17 Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bri...

Monday of week 29 in Ordinary Time  (Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr ) Liturgical Colour: Red. Readings at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Cf. Gal 2: 19-20 I am crucified with Christ, yet I live; no longer I, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself up for me. ________ Collect Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs, grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendour, so it may be for us unending protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading Ephesians 2:1-10 You were dead through the crimes and the sins in which you used to live when you were following the way of this world, obeying the ruler who governs the a...

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big advice on the door on which it was written: “Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym”.  In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself. The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up. Everyone thought: “Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died!”  One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless.  They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepes...

Today's Verse “Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—in peace because they trust in you” -Isaiah 26:3 Sometimes I’ll start the day off determined to be positive. I'll say to myself “I will have a peaceful day no matter what.” Then something unexpected comes up, something else interrupts my schedule for the day, or a health issue arises. It doesn’t take long before I’m frazzled, worn out, and not having a very good day. However, I have to stop and remember that my peace should not be based on circumstances, because peace is a gift from God in all situations. So, when unexpected things come up, instead of giving in to the chaos, I’m going to try something different. I’m going to take a deep breath or two, re-focus, and remember that my peace comes from God. He will help me through any difficulty because He is my peace. I can have a wonderful day no matter what when my mind is fixed on Him. – Commentary by Traci Elliott Today's Praye...

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time  About Today Year: C(II). Psalm week: 1. Liturgical Colour: Green. In other years: Saint Hedwig (c.1174 - 1243) She was born in Bavaria and married the Duke of Silesia, by whom she had seven children. She lived a devout life, succouring the poor and the sick, for whom she built hostels. On the death of her husband in 1238 she entered the monastery of Trebnitz, where she died in 1243.    St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647 - 1690) She joined the Visitation Sisters at Paray-le-Monial. She made rapid progress along the way of perfection and was given mystical visions as a result of which she worked hard to institute devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Church.   Saint Marguerite d'Youville (1701 - 1771) Canada She was born at Varennes, near Montréal in Canada. She was married and had two children. In 1738, a widow, she formed a lay group dedicated to charity, with four other women, and took simple vows. This...

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time  Liturgical Colour: Green. Readings at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8 To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me. ________ Collect Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading Exodus 17:8-13 The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses k...

Saturday of week 28 in Ordinary Time  (Saint Teresa of Ávila, Virgin, Doctor ) Liturgical Colour: White. Readings at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 41: 2-3 Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; my soul is thirsting for God, the living God. ________ Collect O God, who through your Spirit raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus to show the Church the way to seek perfection, grant that we may always be nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching and fired with longing for true holiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading Ephesians 1:15-23 I, having once heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love that you show towards all the saints, have never failed to remember you in my prayers and to thank God for you. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory...

Today's Verse “When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.” – Jonah 3:10 Sometimes it’s really difficult to grasp how God works, isn’t it? There are moments when it seems His love is all that we see. While this is true, God reveals His love in many different ways. In this instance, God had just told the Ninevites that He was going to destroy them but they repented and God changed His mind, so to speak. In our lives, there may be those moments in which we feel like all that’s hitting us is the bad but the reality is that God is working even harder in the those times. The warning that was given through Jonah really caught the King's attention and he called the city to repentance. This lead to the entire city coming back to God, seeking forgiveness and God acting justly. – Commentary by Matthew Elliott Today's Prayer Fathe...

Friday of week 28 in Ordinary Time   or Saint Callistus, Pope, Martyr  About Today Year: C(II). Psalm week: 4. Liturgical Colour: Green. Pope St Callistus I (- 222) Most of what we know of Callistus comes from attacks by his contemporaries, notably Tertullian and the antipope Hippolytus.     As a young slave Callistus was put in charge of a bank by his master Carpophorus, in which the brethren and widows lodged money. Callistus lost it all, and fled. When his master caught up with his ship Callistus jumped overboard to escape capture but was saved from drowning. He was given the punishment reserved for slaves, that of turning the pistrinum or hand-mill. His creditors got him released in the hope that he could retrieve some of their money, but when he tried to get back some of the money he had lent to Jews the result was a fight for which he was re-arrested. He was denounced as a Christian and was condemned to work in the mines of Sardinia (thus, ...

Friday of week 28 in Ordinary Time   or Saint Callistus, Pope, Martyr  Liturgical Colour: Green. Readings at Mass ________ Entrance Antiphon Ps 129: 3-4 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, O God of Israel. ________ Collect May your grace, O Lord, we pray, at all times go before us and follow after and make us always determined to carry out good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ________ First reading Ephesians 1:11-14 It is in Christ that we were claimed as God’s own, chosen from the beginning, under the predetermined plan of the one who guides all things as he decides by his own will; chosen to be, for his greater glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came. Now you too, in him, have heard the message of the truth and the good news ...