Segun Oladeji

 *Sunday 1st October 2023*  Weekday (26)  INDEPENDENCE DAY IN NIGERIA  *OUR LADY QUEEN AND PATRONESS OF NIGERIA (SOLEMNITY)*  First Reading. Isaiah 11: 1-10 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 (R. 7) Second Reading. Ephesians 2: 13-22 Gospel. Matthew 2: 13-15, 10-23 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *THE LORD SHALL SAVE NIGERIA 🇳🇬*  Today, as Nigerians, we have double celebrations.  1. The National Independence of our country Nigeria 🇳🇬. 2. The consecration of our country Nigeria to Mary as Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. The first reading of today talks about liberation.  I pray that the good Lord will liberate Nigerians from the hands of our WICKED LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS IN JESUS NAME. The second reading talks about peace. I pray that the good Lord shall restore PEACE INTO OUR COUNTRY NIGERIA IN JESUS NAME. The Gospel reminds us of how God instructed Joseph in the dream to save both Mary and the baby Jesus from being killed by Herod. I pray 🙏 this day that God will give us a leader whom He

 *SATURDAY, September 30, 2023*  Weekday (25)  *Saint Jerome, Priest, Doctor*  First Reading. Zechariah 2: 1-5, 10-11 Psalm. Jeremiah 31:10-13 (R. see 10d) Gospel. Luke 9: 43-45 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *THE LORD DWELLS AMONG US.*  The Lord is our refuge and strength. He is closer to us than we could imagine. He dwells among us. He is our guide and protector. From the first reading, the Lord said: Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it. For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the Lord, and I will be the glory within her.’ “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion (O citizens of heaven on earth); for behold, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the Lord. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus the Son of God who is God in human form came to dwell among us, and despite all His good deeds, they plan to kill him. So, being God who has come to live with His people foresaw the plot of planning to kill Him, hence He

 *Friday, September 29, 2023*  Weekday (26). SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL and RAPHAEL, archangels (Feast) First Reading. Revelation 12: 7-12 Psalm 138: 1-5 (R. see lb). Gospel. John 1: 47-51 TOPIC REFLECTION  *ARCHANGELS ARE MESSENGERS OF GOD*  CONTENTS 1. Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel 2. Prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel 3. Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the messengers of her creator, God. The Archangels are Michael, Raphel and Gabriel; each of them played a significant role in the salvation of Humanity. These noble messengers of God's role in the salvific mission of God had raised humanity from her... 1. Hopelessness to hopefulness 2. Faithlessness to faithfulness 3. Worries to the warrior in battle 4. Fearful nature to fearless nature 5. Falling state to rising state 6. Disconnection to connection with God  7. Vanquish to victory in battle 8. Barrenness to bearings of children 9. Lowly state to higher state 10. Dejection to determi

 *THURSDAY, September 28, 2023*  Weekday (25) First Reading. Haggai 1: 1-8 Psalm. 149: 1-6 and 9 (R.4a) Gospel. Luke 9: 7-9  *THE GARMENT OF A WICKED PERSON IS GUILTY CONSCIENCE.*  It seems to some sets of people, that wickedness is their gift.  Their greatest joy comes when their wicked act is accomplished.  The good news is their sorrowful mystery, while they are always restless once they have never inflicted a wicked act on at least a person. The wicked persons never value human life, except theirs only. Wicked people love and value power, they live above and bite more than what they can chew. They value power and can do everything possible to assume power. Anybody found to be gaining popularity becomes a threat to their existence. They live in perpetual fear and are very restless.  Their garment is a guilty conscience, yet they never stop their evil act. Their blood tonic is the blood they shed, the killing is their strength, and they carry out many evil criminal acts. Such is the

 Tuesday, September 27, 2022 ST VINCENT DE PAUL, P. (Memorial)  *FOR THE SOMASCAN FATHERS*   *TODAY WE CELEBRATE MARY MOTHER OF ORPHANS.*  Therefore, the readings and reflection will be based on the congregation's feast. First Reading. Isaiah 66: 10-14 Psalm 146 Second Reading. 2Corinthians 1: 3-7 Gospel. John 19: 25-27 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *WE ALL ARE ORPHANS*  Do you know that virtually all of us are orphans in one way or another? Are you surprised? Don't worry, just continue reading, and then you will understand better. In a generic sense, An orphan is a person who has lost either father, mother, or both. However, there are four types of orphans  TYPES OF ORPHANS. 1. BIOLOGICAL ORPHAN According to UNICEF, this biological orphan is into three categories. ***Paternal orphan... A person whose father is dead ***Maternal orphan... A person whose mother is dead The above two are regarded as Single Orphan. ***Double orphan... The loss of both parents. 2. SOCIOLOGICAL ORPHANS This

 *MONDAY September 25, 2023*  Weekday (25) First Reading. Ezra 1: 1-6 Psalm. 126: 1-6 (R.3a) Gospel. Luke 8: 16-18 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *NO ONE CAN HIDE FROM GOD: LET YOUR LIGHT SHINES*  Let me tell you, you may deceive yourself by not knowing that you are deceiving yourself, but not God. You may deceive a fellow man like you, but not God. You may pretend and the world may believe you, but not before God. No one would light a lamp and put it under the table or bed, rather he would put it on a lampstand for it to brighten the environment.  A good person will always be a good person, and such do not pretend, while it is bad people who pretend to be good when they are not. If you wish to know who a pretender is, below are some facts about them... 1. When it goes according to their desire, you will see their true colour.  2. In the church, before great people whom they know they can gain something from, they display a good attitude, but to those whom they have nothing to gain from, they s

 Sunday, September 24, 2023 25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME First Reading. Isaiah 55: 6-9 Psalm. 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18 (R.18a) Second Reading. Philippians 1: 20-24, 27 Gospel. Matthew 20: 1-16 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION ONE GOD: ONE HEAVEN Helloooooooooo, should I stop? 😆  If I may ask... Are there two Gods? Are there two Christs? Are there two Heavens? Is there a particular time in life when one can not come from God, talk to God, call on God, or return to God? Prophet Isaiah encouraged us to call on God when we can find Him, while St. Paul's letter to the Romans confirmed that either we live or die, we belong to God. Invariably, from God we come, and to God we shall return.  God and His kingdom Heaven is not meant for one person, it is not first come, first serve, No. It is for everybody.  So, why do you get angry, envious, jealous, and bitter, when someone becomes converted? Now, let us play with logic. If there is only one HEAVEN, which means there is only one God If there is only one G

 *FRIDAY, September 22, 2023*  Weekday (24) First Reading. 1 Timothy 6: 2-12 Psalm. 49: 6-10, 17-20 (R. Mt 5:3) Gospel. Luke 8: 1-3 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *THE DANGER OF MATERIAL WEALTH: THE LOVE OF MONEY*  🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, I can't just stop laughing, please I would appreciate it if you could take some moments to laugh with me 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣  Anyway, let's not over laugh, so that our teeth will not fall off. The reason for my laughing is this: In Nigeria and Africa at large, we tend to claim to be more religious than other Asian, European and American countries. These are the countries we condemned to have lost the sense of God and Morality; yet, they are our dream countries to travel to such as Dubai, Egypt, USA, UK, Germany, China, etc. In fact, it is the prayer intention of most pastors and church members: hmmm... Is this not hypocrisy?  Does it mean we want to become unreligious like them according to our claim? These countries we think do not know God have respect for human

 *THURSDAY, September 21, 2023*  Weekday (24)  *Saint Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist - Feast*  First Reading. Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13 Psalm 19:2-5 Gospel. Matthew 9:9-13 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *LIFE IS A VOCATION: GOD CALLS, AND MAN RESPONDS.*  My dear, do you know that all of us are called? Yes, I mean YOU & I God calls you and me. Now, listen attentively 😆 ***That you are alive today is a call to LIFE ***That you could relate with others, it's a call to LOVE ***That you could recognize and pray  God is a call to HOLINESS ***That you could get married, it's a call to partake in the PRO-CREATIVE MISSION OF GOD ***That you could dedicate your life to evangelism is a call to partake in the SALVIFIC MISSION OF CHRIST. Let me summarize the above in a short form. That you have LIFE ....... It's a call That you have family and friends... It's a call That you recognize God........... It's a call That you marry.............. It's a call That you are a Priest/Pastor/Evan

 *WEDNESDAY, September 20, 2023*  Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs  First Reading. 1 Timothy 3: 14-16 Psalm. 111: 1-6 (R.2a) Gospel. Luke 7: 31-35 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *DO NOT ALLOW JESUS TO BE DISAPPOINTED IN YOU*  Since you were born, you have been hearing about the Gospel of Christ, to what effect has it in your life? In all your years as a Christian, what one virtue have you learnt from God? If Christ is loving, are you loving? If Chris is good, are you good? If Christ is kind, are you kind? If Christ is humble, are you humble? If Christ is gentle, are you gentle?  If Christ is merciful, are you merciful? If Christ is generous, are you generous?  If Christ calls you his friend, do you call others your friend? If Christ sees you as one with Him, do you see others as one with you? If Christ perseveres, do you persevere? If Christ is holy, are you making an effort to become holy? If Christ enters heaven, why don't you want to

 *TUESDAY, September 19, 2023*  Weekday (24) First Reading. 1Timothy 3: 1-13 Psalm 101: 1-3, 5, 6 (R. 2c) Gospel. Luke 7: 11- 17 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO BE A LEADER: LISTEN.*  Hmmm, I am convinced that many of us may wish to be a leader in one organization, society or another. So, if you are one of them, kindly listen to what today's liturgical reading is saying. Leadership is for service and not for showing off or accumulating wealth for oneself, however, experience has shown that those who desire power by every means have nothing to offer. Such are the people who have pleasure for power whom St. James referred to in his epistle chapter 4. They desire power, and when they cannot get it, they fight, destroy, maim, kill, kidnap, abduct, and all kinds of unimaginable evils. More so, these sets of people, once they could achieve power through cruel means, they start to impose their style of leadership on people. They imposed hardship and since they had nothing to of

 *Sunday, September 17, 2023*   *24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME*  First Reading. Sirach 27: 30-28: 7 Psalm 103: 1-4, 9-12 (R.8) Second Reading. Romans14: 7-9 Gospel. Matthew 18: 21-35 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *ANGER AND UNFORGIVENESS ARE BEST COUPLES: THEY DESTROY SOULS*  Since you have been getting angry what have you gained? Since you have been keeping malice, what have you gained? I want you to recall, those times you went to bed in anger, can you recall how you had sleepless nights ruminating over what happened, and planning how to revenge? I guess you may find below some of the effects of your anger... 1. Anxiety 2. High Blood Pressure 3. Heart Burn 4. Mental Stress 5. Fatigue 6. Discomfort and disorderliness 7. Sleepless night 8. Fear of the unknown 9. Restlessness 10. Troubled mind 11.  Headache and Migraine 12. Loss of friendship 13. Attraction of enemy 14. Filled with revengeful spirit. 15. Partial/full stroke = death. The fact is that, when you overthink negatively, you stress you

 *Friday 15th September, 2023*   *OUR LADY OF SORROW*  First Reading. 1 Timothy 1: 1-2,12-14 Psalm. 15:1-2, 5, 7-8,11 Gospel. John 19: 25-27 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: THE SORROWFUL MOTHER*  Let us reflect on the seven (7) sorrows of Mary, because the church in her wisdom wants her members to appreciate the gift of Mary's motherhood a day that follows the exaltation of her son on the cross, where Jesus handed us over to her. 1) The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34-35) 2) The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-21) 3) The Loss of Jesus for Three Days (Luke 2:41-50) 4) The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:17) 5) The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:18-30) 6) Jesus Taken Down from the Cross (John 19:39-40) 7) Jesus Laid in the Tomb (John 19:39-42) From conception to the death of Jesus, Mary felt all these sorrows in her heart. To my dear mothers in the house, how would you feel if you were in the position of Mary?  I guess some might even say that the boy Jesus is a curse and not

 *Thursday September 14, 2023*   *EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (FEAST*  First Reading. Numbers 21: 4-9 Psalm. 78: 1-2, 34-38 (R. cf.7b) Second Reading. Philippians 2: 6-11 Gospel. John 3: 13-17 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *YOUR CROSS: YOUR SALVATION*  Every stage of life has its cross  Every single day has its cross  Every step you take has its cross  Every choice you make has its cross  Every vocation has its cross In all, the challenges we face daily at the present stages of our lives are the crosses we are to bear. The good news is that every cross has its divine grace. Therefore, every single individual has one cross or the other to carry; no one is crossless in life, and I assure you that every cross is always heavy for the person carrying it. Now, let us reason together.  1. If Jesus can carry His cross, why not you? 2. If the weight of the cross weighed  Jesus down, why will your cross not also weigh you down? 3. If Jesus fell 3 times under the weight of the cross, should your falling

 *WEDNESDAY, September 13, 2023.*   *Weekday (23)*  First Reading. Colossians 3: 1-11 Psalm. 145: 2-3, 10-11, 12-l3 (R. 9a) Gospel. Luke 6: 20-26 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *HMMM, WHO SHALL BE SAVED?*  Hello, children of God, Can we come together and talk senses into ourselves? Oftentimes, if I ask some people, are you a Christian? Most responses I do get are; yes, am a staunch catholic, am a born-again Christian, I don't play with Church, and other similar answers.  The question is, those who claim to be Christians, yet commit various degrees of inhuman atrocities, does it mean Christ is two? Does it mean we have good Christ and bad Christ? Well, there is no such thing as two Christ, but only one good Christ. However, the followers of Christ may differ by nature. Let's dig into today's first and second readings. St. Paul in today's first reading said: 1. Brethren, If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand o

 *Tuesday, September 12, 2023*  Weekday (23) First Reading.  Colossians 2: 6-15 Psalm. 145: 1-2, 8-11 (R. 9a) Gospel. Luke 6: 12-19 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *GOD CALLED US TO BE HOLY.*  My dear brothers and sisters, do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.  St. Paul in today's first reading encourages us thus: Brethren, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one makes prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.  Similarly, some have been washed,

 *Sunday September 10, 2023*  23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME First Reading. Ezekiel 33: 7-9 Psalm. 95: I-2, 6-9  (R. 7d, 8a) Second Reading. Romans 13: 8-10 Gospel. Matthew18: 15-20 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *CORRECT AND RECONCILE WITH LOVE*  Hello sweety, may I ask if you have ever come across a perfect, angelic person on earth who is without sin, tell me so I can rush to adore him/her Or... *** Is there any person who has never offended someone before?  *** Is there any person who has never been offended by someone before? I guess there is none because we are human and we are bound to offend and be offended. This is what is called CONFLICT. Below are some of the reasons I suppose do make us get offended by others, as we also offend them.  1. CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL BACKGROUND: Our different cultural and traditional background settings can make us offend one another if there is no understanding.  2. LIKES AND DISLIKES: What we like and dislike differs, what I like may discomfort you and vi

 *SATURDAY, September 9, 2023*  Weekday (22) First Reading. Colossians 1: 21-23 Psalm. 54: 3-4, 6 and 8 (R. 6a) Gospel. Luke 6: 1-5 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *SABBATH IS MEANT FOR MAN AND NOT MAN FOR SABBATH.*  If someone has a peptic ulcer and is expected to eat something every one-hour interval, and this person from inside the church will often go out to eat and come back, and if you refuse to enquire from him why he eats every interval of one hour, will you not become judgemental, if you suddenly begin to scold him? My dear, laws are given to guide us in the right part, and not to punish us. Do not be like the Pharisees who use the law of the sabbath to destroy people but to justify their selfish corrupt nature  Laws are made for man and not man for law Man is meant to keep the law, and that the law may keep him. Laws are collation of words to guide us, but human beings are the image of God.  Invariably, laws have no life without the presence of human beings. Therefore, it is human bein

 *Friday, September 8, 2023*   *THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Feast)*  First Reading. Micah 5: 2-5 or Romans 8: 28-30 Psalm. 13: 5, 6 (R. Isaiah 61:10a) Gospel. Matthew 1: 1-16, 18-23 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *THE BIRTHDAY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY*  The birthday of Mary is one of the three birthdays celebrated in the Church's Liturgical Calendar namely,  The Birthday of Jesus, December, 25th The Birthday of Mary, September 8th The Birthday of John the Baptist, June 24th. All three were born without original sin, although Mary and Jesus were conceived without sin, and St. John was cleansed of original sin while in the womb of his mother during the Visitation of Mary. So, the Catholic Church celebrates today the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary on its traditional fixed date of September 8, nine months after the December 8th celebration of her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saints Joachim and Anne. (The Catholic Telegram online) Today’s reading from the Gospel of M

 *Thursday, September 7, 2023*  Weekday (22) First Reading. Colossians 1: 9-14 Psalm. 98: 2-6 (R.2a) Gospel. Luke 5: 1-11 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *WISDOM AND FOOLISHNESS*  Jesus is the fullness of Wisdom, the Wisdom of God, while Satan is the fullness of Foolishness. A person who seeks Wisdom seeks Jesus, directly or indirectly, while those who do not seek wisdom settle for foolishness. Wisdom is universal, while foolishness is particular Wisdom is attractive, while foolishness is repelling.  Wisdom seeks unity, while foolishness seeks division Wisdom is progressive, while foolishness is regressive. Wisdom is fruitful, while foolishness is fruitless, useless, and futile. Wisdom is the fullness of humility, while foolishness is the fullness of pride Wisdom is simple, while foolishness is complex Wisdom is openness to receive more, while foolishness is closeness not to learn more Wisdom has a future, while foolishness has no future. Wisdom aims high, while foolishness remains stagnant. Wis

 *TUESDAY, September 5, 2023* Weekday (22) First Reading. 1Thessalonians 5: 1-6, 9-11 Psalm. 27: 1, 4, 13-14 (R.13) Gospel. Luke 4: 31-37 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION *WHICH SPIRIT DO YOU POSSESS?* The truth about life is that a person must be possessed by a spirit. There is no human being that can stay without a spirit, just as nobody can stay without the flesh (body). It is either one is possessed by the Spirit of God, or by the spirit of the devil. The simple reason is that human beings are made of soul and body; the body is the flesh, while the soul is the Spirit. Still, the Spirit in the human being is the Spirit of God. It is when the Spirit of God is passive in a person that the evil spirit becomes active. Similarly, anyone who possesses the spirit of God must make it active, and such a person's behaviour would be like God. Anyone who behaves like God is said to be God's ambassador. So, anyone who is in God possesses the spirit of God, and the spirit becomes active in him or he

 *MONDAY, September 4, 2023*  Weekday (22) First Reading. 1Thessalonians 4: 13-18 Psalm. 96: 1, 3-5, 11-13 (R.  13b) Gospel. Luke 4: 16-30 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION  *A PROPHET HAS NO VALUE IN PLACE.*  STORY! STORY!.......STORY. Once upon a time, there was a man called Rev. Fr. John who was born in Abule in Lagos, he had both his primary and secondary school there in Abule, Lagos.  His friends and acquaintances are the local guys with whom they grew together.  He was very active in the Church and of course, his weaknesses were all known to his family members, his friends, his church members, and his community.  Yet, the worst is that his father is a security man in a school, while the mother sells Tomatoes and pepper to sustain the family. Now, with this background of his, he later decided to go to the seminary to become a priest in Lagos Archdiocese. Finally, he was ordained a Priest for the Lagos Archdiocese. After his ordination, he was celebrated, and appreciated by all family and frien

 Sunday, September 03, 2023 22nd Sunday First Reading. Jeremiah 20: 7-9 Psalm. 63: 2-6, 8—9 (R. cf.2ab) Second Reading. Romans 12: 1-2 Gospel. Matthew 16: 21-27 TOPIC FOR REFLECTION TO FOLLOW JESUS IS TO DENY THE WORLD My lovely sweetheart, Happy Sunday.  My dear, please do not allow the devil to use you against your brothers and sisters, he will only use you and dump you. Yet, the same devil will still stand against you before God to accuse you. Cf. Rev. 12: 10 Do you know that nature exists in us, and we exist inside nature?  More reason it is often said, by nature, a man's characteristics are different from a woman's characteristics.  Similarly, are you aware that nature does not know your religion, neither does it know your name?  Nature does its work without favouritism. More reason we say that no one can cheat nature. As you lay your bed, so you lay on it. More so, since I became of age, it has never, and neither will it happen that nature will separate Christians from no