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Liturgical Discuss This is the platform where we can have some discussion and teachings about Liturgical issues of the Church as it concerns the Roman Catholic Church

29/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Memorial of the Passion (Beheading) of St. John the Baptist.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 and Mark 6:17–29.

Dear brothers and sisters, today we remember the Passion of St. John the Baptist, a man who was willing to pay the ultimate price for speaking the truth. John confronted King Herod and told him plainly: “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” His words were uncomfortable, but they were true.

John teaches us that faithfulness to God sometimes requires courage. It is easy to speak the truth when everyone agrees with us. But the real test comes when truth costs us something namely: our popularity, friendships, position, comfort, or even our security.

Herod knew that John was a righteous and holy man. He even liked listening to him. Yet Herod lacked the courage to act according to the truth. He became more concerned about pleasing his guests and keeping his promise than about doing what was right. In the end, this weakness led to John's death.

How often do we behave like Herod? We know what is right but fail to do it because of human respect. We remain silent when we should speak. We compromise our Christian principles because we fear what people will say.

The first reading reminds us that God does not necessarily choose the powerful or impressive according to worldly standards. Rather, He chooses those who depend on Him.

Therefore, the question for us today is: Am I courageous enough to remain faithful to Christ when faithfulness becomes difficult?

May St. John the Baptist intercede for us, that we may never sell the truth for comfort, popularity, or worldly approval. May God give us the courage to proclaim the truth with charity and to live it faithfully.

Amen.

28/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Friday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II (St. Augustine)

Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:17–25; Matthew 25:1–13

Dearest in Christ, today, the Church celebrates St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the greatest teachers and pastors in Christian history. His life reminds us that God never gives up on a sincere heart that is searching for Him.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise because they took oil with their lamps; five were foolish because they were unprepared. When the bridegroom arrived, the foolish virgins discovered that they had no oil. The door was eventually closed.

The message is simple: we must always be spiritually prepared. We do not know when the Lord will call us. Faith cannot be something we practise only when it is convenient. We need to keep the lamp of our faith burning through prayer, the Sacraments, good works, charity and perseverance.

St. Augustine himself experienced a long journey before surrendering completely to God. He searched for happiness in many places, but eventually discovered that his restless heart could find true peace only in God. His life teaches us that conversion is possible at any stage of life.

The first reading also reminds us that the wisdom of God may appear foolish in the eyes of the world. The Cross, which seems like weakness, is actually the power and wisdom of God.

Let us therefore ask ourselves: Is the lamp of my faith still burning? Am I prepared to meet the Lord?

May the example and prayers of St. Augustine help us to seek God sincerely, love Him deeply, and remain faithful until the end.

St. Augustine of Hippo, pray for us. Amen.

27/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Thursday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II (St. Monica)

Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:1–9; Matthew 24:42–51

Today, the Church gives us the example of St. Monica, a woman whose life teaches us the power of persistent faith and prayer. For many years, Monica prayed for the conversion of her son, Augustine. Her prayers were not answered immediately, but she never gave up. Eventually, Augustine became one of the greatest saints and teachers in the history of the Church.

This connects beautifully with today's Gospel, in which Jesus tells us: “Stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming.” Christian vigilance means remaining faithful even when we do not immediately see the fruits of our prayers and sacrifices.

St. Monica teaches us that God's apparent delay is not God's denial. Sometimes we pray for our children, our families, our marriages, our health, our vocations or our difficult situations, and nothing seems to change. Monica reminds us: Do not give up praying.

Her perseverance also challenges parents and all Christians to accompany those who have gone astray with prayer rather than despair. Augustine's conversion was not achieved through force, but through grace, patience, love and persistent prayer.

As we celebrate St. Monica today, let us ask ourselves: Have I become discouraged because God has not answered my prayer in the way or at the time I expected? Let us learn from Monica to remain faithful.

May St. Monica intercede especially for parents who are worried about their children, for families experiencing difficulties, and for all those who have wandered away from God.

Let us remain awake, faithful and prayerful, trusting that God's grace is always at work, even when we cannot yet see it.

St. Monica - Pray for us

26/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

Theme: Authentic Christian Living

Readings: 2 Thessalonians 3:6–10, 16–18; Matthew 23:27–32

Dear friends, today’s readings challenge us to examine the authenticity of our Christian lives. In the Gospel, Jesus strongly criticizes the scribes and Pharisees because they appear righteous outwardly, while inwardly they are filled with hypocrisy. He compares them to whitewashed tombs: beautiful on the outside but containing death within.

The same danger can affect us today. We can look holy before others; attending Mass, praying, carrying religious titles, or performing good works while our hearts remain far from God. Christianity is not merely about appearances; it is about allowing Christ to transform our hearts.

St Paul gives us another practical dimension of authentic faith. He reminds the Thessalonians that Christians should not live irresponsibly or depend unnecessarily on others. He himself worked so that he would not become a burden to anyone. Faith must be expressed in responsible living and honest work.

Therefore, today's Word invites us to ask: Does my outward Christian life correspond to what is happening within my heart? God is not impressed by appearances. He desires a heart that is sincere, humble, hardworking, and faithful.

Let us ask the Lord for the grace to remove every form of hypocrisy from our lives, so that what people see in us outwardly may truly reflect what Christ is doing within us.

25/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

Faithfulness to What Truly Matters

Readings: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8; Matthew 23:23–26

In today’s Gospel, Jesus strongly challenges the Pharisees because they have become very careful about religious details while neglecting what is more important: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Jesus does not condemn religious observance itself; rather, He warns against a religion that looks impressive outwardly but is empty within.

The Pharisees were concerned about tithing even the smallest things, yet they neglected the greater demands of God’s law. They wanted to appear holy before people, but their hearts were not sufficiently transformed by God.

Jesus says: “These you ought to have practised, without neglecting the others.” In other words, our Christian life requires both external observance and internal conversion. We should pray, attend Mass, give offerings and observe the commandments, but these practices must produce love, mercy, justice and faithfulness in our relationships with others.

The first reading gives us a beautiful example of genuine Christian ministry. St. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he did not come seeking human praise or personal gain. His ministry flowed from sincere love: “We were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children.”

This is the challenge for us today: Are we Christians only by appearance, or are we Christians in our hearts and relationships? It is possible to be very religious outwardly and yet be impatient, unforgiving, dishonest or uncharitable inwardly.

Let us therefore ask the Lord for the grace to unite our religious practices with genuine love. May our prayer become charity, our worship become service, and our faith become a life of justice, mercy and faithfulness.

Amen.

24/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

Readings: Revelation 21:9b–14; Psalm 145:10–13, 17–18; John 1:45–51

Today we celebrate St. Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles, traditionally identified with Nathanael in the Gospel of John. His encounter with Jesus teaches us an important lesson about faith and discipleship.

When Philip told Nathanael, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote,” Nathanael initially responded with doubt: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Yet Philip simply invited him: “Come and see.” Nathanael went, encountered Jesus, and his doubt was transformed into faith: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

This is the journey of every Christian. Sometimes we have questions, doubts, disappointments, or prejudices that prevent us from seeing God's presence. But Jesus does not reject us because of our questions. He invites us to “come and see.” When we sincerely encounter Christ, He reveals to us who He truly is.

Jesus also praised Nathanael as “a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” This reminds us that God desires sincerity of heart. Christian discipleship is not about pretending to be holy; it is about being honest before God and allowing Him to transform us.

St. Bartholomew eventually became a courageous missionary and gave his life in witnessing to Christ. His life therefore challenges us: Have we truly encountered Jesus, and are we willing to witness to Him?

May St. Bartholomew intercede for us, that we may have sincere hearts, strong faith, and the courage to proclaim Christ wherever we find ourselves.

St. Bartholomew, pray for us. Amen.

22/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II (Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Today, the Church celebrates the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is Queen because she is the Mother of Christ the King. Yet her queenship is not a queenship of power, wealth, or domination. It is a queenship of humility, service, obedience, and love.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us: “The greatest among you must be your servant.” Mary perfectly embodies this teaching. Though chosen to be the Mother of God, she remained humble and always placed herself at the service of God and others. At Cana, she noticed the needs of the wedding couple and brought their situation to Jesus. At the foot of the Cross, she remained faithful even when suffering pierced her heart.

Mary teaches us that true greatness is found not in being served but in serving. In a world where many seek titles, recognition, influence, and position, Mary points us to another way; the way of humble discipleship.

As we honour Mary our Queen, let us ask her to help us make Christ the King of our hearts. May she teach us to say, as she did, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” And may she lead us always closer to her Son.

Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us. Amen.

21/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II (St. Pius X)

Readings: Ezekiel 37:1–14; Psalm 107; Matthew 22:34–40

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the heart of the Christian life: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” And He immediately adds: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

These two commandments cannot be separated. Our love for God must become visible in the way we treat other people. We cannot claim to love God while deliberately hating, humiliating, exploiting, or refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters.

St. Pius X, whom we celebrate today, understood this well. His deep love for Christ and the Eucharist led him to work tirelessly for the sanctification of God's people. He encouraged frequent Holy Communion and promoted the participation of the faithful in the sacred liturgy. His motto was “To restore all things in Christ.” For him, everything had to lead people back to Christ.

The first reading gives us the image of dry bones receiving new life. God can also breathe new life into hearts that have become dry through hatred, resentment, discouragement, sin, or indifference.

Therefore, today we should ask ourselves: Is my love for God producing love for others? Is there someone I need to forgive? Someone I have neglected? Someone whose dignity I have failed to respect?

As we receive Christ in the Eucharist, let us ask Him to give us a new heart and a renewed spirit. Through the intercession of St. Pius X, may we truly restore all things in Christ; beginning with our own hearts, our families, our communities, and our relationships.

Amen.

20/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Thursday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II (St. Bernard of Clairvaux)

Readings: Ezekiel 36:23–28; Psalm 51; Matthew 22:1–14

Beloved in Christ, in today’s Gospel, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a wedding feast. God invites everyone to share in His joy, but the invitation requires a response. It is not enough merely to receive the invitation; we must come with the proper disposition of heart, symbolised by the wedding garment.

The wedding garment represents a life transformed by faith, love and holiness. We cannot claim to belong to Christ while refusing to allow Him to change our hearts. God, through the prophet Ezekiel, promises: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” The Christian life is therefore a continual allowing of God to renew us.

Today we celebrate St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a great monk, preacher and Doctor of the Church. Bernard teaches us that love for God must be at the centre of our Christian life. His deep love for Christ enabled him to serve the Church, guide others and seek holiness.

The Gospel therefore asks each of us: Am I wearing the wedding garment of a transformed heart? Do my words, relationships and actions show that I truly belong to Christ?

May St. Bernard intercede for us, that we may grow in love for Christ, receive a new heart and remain faithful to our invitation to the eternal wedding feast.

Amen.

19/08/2026

DAILY REFLECTION WITH FADA AKEMA

Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II

Theme: Serving God with Humility and Generosity

Dear friends in Christ, today’s Gospel presents the parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The landowner gives the same reward to those who worked from the beginning and those who came at the last hour. The workers who came early complain, because they feel they deserve more. But the landowner reminds them that he has not cheated them; he has simply chosen to be generous.

The message is clear: God’s generosity is not measured by our human calculations. We sometimes compare ourselves with others and ask, “Why has God blessed that person more than me?” or “Why should someone who came later receive the same grace?” But God does not operate according to jealousy or competition. His mercy is abundant.

The first reading also reminds us of the danger of seeking power and honour for ourselves. Jotham's parable of the trees teaches that true leadership is not about seeking position, privilege, or praise. The one who serves God and others with humility is the one who truly bears good fruit.

As Christians, therefore, we should not ask only, “What will I gain?” but rather, “How can I serve?” Whether we have served God for many years or have only recently returned to Him, what matters is our willingness to work in His vineyard faithfully.

Let us avoid envy, comparison and competition. Let us rejoice when God blesses others, knowing that His goodness to another person does not diminish His goodness to us.

May the Lord give us humble hearts that serve without seeking recognition, generous hearts that rejoice in the blessings of others, and faithful hearts that persevere in His vineyard until the end. Amen.

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