CKC Kurudu

30/08/2026

Homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
HOMILIST: Rev. Fr. JohnCross Ozor, OCD

Why do we reject the cross?

Peter was smart in today’s Gospel. Imagine someone coming to save you, yet that person is talking about suffering, rejection, and even death. Naturally, Peter was thinking, “No, this can not happen to you.” He was only expressing what many of us would feel in the same situation.

But as Christians, we must ask ourselves: When we face difficulties, do we smile? No. We naturally want the problem to disappear.

Yet, we must learn to thank God at all times because He has saved us from many things we may never even know about.

If we have been saved by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, why then do we reject the cross?

Sometimes, our rejection of the cross is seen in the way we run back to old beliefs and traditions whenever things become difficult.

For instance, our grandparents may have been buried with simple burial rites. But now that their children and grandchildren are doing well, people may say, You have to kill a cow for your grandparent to rest in peace. If you don’t do it, there will be consequences.

Or perhaps you live comfortably in Abuja, and suddenly someone calls from the village and says you must come home to take over the worship of a particular deity. Otherwise, you will begin to experience difficulties.

We must understand something: when we want to experience the goodness of God, we must also be prepared to go through some shaky moments.

A little sickness comes, and people begin to tell you, “It is because your late grandfather did not complete the marital rites of his wife.” You have a small problem, and immediately someone tells you there is a spirit or deity you must appease.

But why do we reject the cross?

Sometimes it is because we are:

* Greedy
* Ungrateful
* Not contented

There must be something we are willing to bear instead of constantly moving from one place to another looking for solutions.

Know that it is the cross and run to God.

Have patience. The Christian journey is not an easy road.

“It’s not an easy road…”

God knows that the journey will not be easy. He knows the difficulties we will encounter, so we must understand our faith from that perspective.

The day you were baptized, you became a child of God. You were called to leave behind the old ways and place your trust in Christ. Therefore, when difficulties come, we should not run back to the gods or the old practices we have renounced.

We need to understand that suffering and pain can be part of the Christian journey. What you are passing through today does not necessarily mean that there is an evil spirit somewhere that you must appease.

That is why the Responsorial Psalm says:

“For you, my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.”

My dear friends, what have you decided?

For me and my household, we have decided to follow Jesus.

As we seek His face, may we find Him. May we never encounter any cross that will weigh us down beyond what we can bear. May God protect us from every danger and grant us peace, success, prosperity, and joy in His presence.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Story by: Sis. Udegbue Stella

23/08/2026

HOMILY FOR THE 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.
Theme: The Power of the Keys
HOMILIST : Very Rev. Fr.Jerome Ituah, OCD

Today’s Gospel takes us to Caesarea Philippi, a place associated with temples dedicated to pagan gods. It was there that Jesus asked His disciples a very important question: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

Jesus asked this question to know whether His disciples truly understood who He was. They responded with different answers: some said John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

But Peter gave a different answer. He said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter recognised that Jesus was not merely a prophet or someone sent to redeem the world; He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, who came to dwell among us.

Jesus then said to Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah… You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church.” The name Peter means rock. And when Jesus speaks about building His Church, He is not referring merely to a physical building. He is speaking about the community of believers.

Jesus goes further and says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

This connects us with the first reading, where we hear about the authority associated with the key of the house of David. The person who held the key to the king’s house had great authority and responsibility. The key represented the power to open and close, to bind, and to lose.

In the same way, Jesus entrusted Peter with the keys of the Kingdom. This authority was handed down from Peter, the first Pope, through the successors of Peter, even to our present Pope, Leo XIV.

But the question for us today is: How does this Gospel affect us? Have we also been given some form of authority?

Yes, we have.

Jesus gives each of us responsibilities and assignments according to our different roles in life. A father has been entrusted with the responsibility to lead and guide his family. A mother also has a unique responsibility in the family. Children have their own responsibilities. Those who are appointed to lead groups, organisations, communities, or ministries have also been entrusted with authority.

God gives us these “keys” because He wants each of us to contribute something to His Kingdom.

Therefore, we should ask ourselves: What are the keys God has placed in my hands? What responsibility has He entrusted to me? And how am I using that authority?

We must not be people who jump to conclusions or act without seeking God’s direction. Instead, we should constantly ask: “Lord, what do You want me to see? What do You want me to say? What do You want me to do?”

The keys God gives us are not merely for our personal benefit. They are meant to open doors, serve others, build His Church, and bring people closer to Him.

Let us pray that the key entrusted to each of us will not pass us by. May we recognise the responsibilities God has placed in our hands and use them wisely, faithfully, and for His glory.

May God grant us the wisdom and grace to use every key He has given us to do the right thing.

Through Christ our Lord.
Amen. 🙏🏽

Reported by: Sis Stella Udegbue

17/08/2026

Come, let us honor Our Lady of Mount Carmel and celebrate 775 years of the Brown Scapular Devotion.

Join us for a grace-filled 3-day programme of Holy Mass, Rosary Procession, spiritual talks, Marian hymns, prayers, and the solemn blessing of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

🗓 19th–21st August 2026
📍 Christ the King Catholic Church, Kurudu, Abuja
⏰6pm daily

Whether you are already enrolled in the Brown Scapular or simply desire to deepen your devotion to Our Blessed Mother, this celebration is for you.

“Whoever dies clothed in this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.” — Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Come with your rosary, your candle, and an open heart. We look forward to welcoming you!

16/08/2026

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY BY: Rev. Fr. Cyril Udom, OCD
16/08/2026

Today’s homily reminds us that the gifts and love of God are irrevocable, just as St. Paul tells us in the second reading.

If we do not have a good image of God, we may also develop the wrong image of ourselves. But when we see God positively and understand His love for us, we begin to see ourselves differently ….knowing that the sky is not our limit because only we can limit ourselves. God continually desires that we grow and become better.

The readings remind us that God does not discriminate. Whether Jew or Gentile, regardless of who we are or where we come from, God welcomes us and accepts the sacrifices and thanksgiving we offer to Him. He continually draws us closer to Himself.

The Gospel presents us with the story of the Canaanite woman, who approached Jesus with faith, calling Him “Lord, Son of David,” and asking Him to have mercy on her. Even when she faced rejection and discouragement from the disciples, she persisted.

Jesus said, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Yet, the woman remained humble and persistent in her faith. Her perseverance ultimately revealed the depth of her faith, and Jesus answered her request.

The lesson for us is to persevere in prayer. We must be careful about how we process the negative or evil things people tell us. We should not allow the words or opinions of others to weaken our faith or limit our potential.

Have faith. Believe in God, and also believe in yourself. God is the one who gives us the good opportunities life has to offer, so we must continue to take positive steps and trust Him throughout our journey.

Finally, just as we have received God’s mercy and compassion, we are called to share that same mercy and compassion with everyone, regardless of who they are. God’s love is not meant for only those closest to us. We are called to be the house of God for all.

May God bless the word He has planted in our hearts, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

STORY BY: Sis Udegbue Stella.

15/08/2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/EEM7a3mHMR4?si=nLixYGwC1RZtDe8e

https://www.vaticannews.va/en.htmlThese images are produced by th...

14/08/2026

Queen Assumed into Heaven ..........pray for us🙏🏾

09/08/2026

HOMILY FOR 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Chike Dim, OCD

Today’s readings remind us that God often meets us in the middle of our storms.

In the first reading, Elijah journeyed away from a wicked queen and went in search of God, trusting Him even in a difficult situation. His faith and willingness to run to God played a great role in his encounter with Him.

Similarly, in the Gospel, the disciples were caught in a storm while Jesus was with them. They became afraid and worried, even while Jesus was praying. This reflects what we often do as human beings. When problems and difficult situations arise, we become afraid and begin to wonder where God is.

But Jesus allowed the disciples to go through the storm. He did not prevent the storm, but He was with them in it.

This teaches us to watch out for fear, because fear can hinder us from doing the good things we are capable of doing.

The problems and storms we face in life may sometimes look negative, but they may actually be situations God has allowed us to pass through to test and strengthen our faith, help us grow, and lead us to a new encounter with Him.

The disciples were on a journey, and it was in the middle of that journey that God manifested Himself to them.

So, what storm are we going through today?

It could be the situation in Nigeria, financial difficulties, broken family relationships, challenges at the office, or even the storm of sin that keeps holding us down.

Jesus says: “Do not be afraid.”

Sometimes, the very place where we are afraid is where God wants to meet us and manifest Himself to us.

Jesus calmed their hearts even before the storm was over by telling them not to be afraid. This reminds us not to hold too tightly to our comfort zones, friendships, possessions, or anything else that gives us a sense of security. These things can be fragile, just like the boat the disciples were in.

Our ultimate security should be in God and in our faith.

Only faith in Jesus Christ can truly see us through the storms of life.

We must also pray always. Even the little prayer we say while going through a storm can go a long way. It is not always about the length of the prayer, but about the faith with which we call on God.

What storm are you going through in your life right now?

Jesus is telling us: Believe in Him, do not be afraid, and trust that everything will be fine.

When we overcome one storm, another may eventually come, but Jesus continues to call us to overcome fear and turn it into faith.

Storms should not always be seen as negative experiences. They can make us stronger, deepen our faith, and help us encounter the true face of God in our journey through life.

And even when the storm becomes too much, God will always see us through.

Do not be afraid. Hold on to your faith. Jesus is with you even in the storm.

Story by Sis Udegbue Stella.

13/07/2026

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Theme: Are We Truly Seeing and Hearing the Word of God?

Homily by Rev. Fr. Thaddeus

Drawing from the First Reading (Isaiah 55:10–11) and the Gospel (Matthew 13:1–23), Rev. Fr. Thaddeus reflected on Jesus’ use of parables to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. When the disciples asked why He spoke in parables, Jesus explained that many people look but do not truly see, hear but do not truly understand. Thus, the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: “You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive.”

Jesus used familiar realities from everyday life to communicate profound spiritual truths. The Parable of the Sower is not merely about sowing seeds; it is about the different ways people receive the Word of God and the condition of the human heart. God, in His generosity, continues to sow His Word freely to everyone. The question is not whether God speaks, but whether we are truly listening.

The four soils represent four different responses to God’s Word:

* The path represents those who hear the Word but never truly receive or understand it. The evil one quickly snatches it away.
* The rocky ground represents those who joyfully receive the Word but have no deep roots. When trials, suffering, or persecution come, they quickly abandon their faith.
* The thorny ground represents those who receive the Word but allow worldly worries, temptations, and the pursuit of earthly things to choke its growth.
* The good soil represents those who hear, understand, embrace, and faithfully live the Word, producing abundant fruit in their lives.

The homily challenged every believer to ask: “Which category am I?”

Rev. Fr. Thaddeus observed and stated that although Africans are generally religious, many Christians struggle with compartmentalizing their faith. We worship fervently on Sundays, yet our actions in our homes, workplaces, businesses, and society often tell a different story. A faith that does not influence everyday decisions remains shallow and bears little fruit.

To allow God’s Word to transform us, he outlined the journey every believer must take:

1. The Mind – Listen attentively to God’s Word and seek to understand it through Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and sound spiritual reading.
2. The Heart – Reflect on the Word, pray with it, and allow it to shape your thoughts, choices, and desires throughout the week.
3. Daily Life – Let the Word become visible through your actions. True faith is revealed in honesty, justice, kindness, forgiveness, and love.

The Word of God must journey from the mind, to the heart, and finally into our lives where it bears fruit. Only then can we become authentic witnesses of Christ.

The homily also challenged the faithfuls to examine the state of our nation. Problems such as corruption, tribalism, dishonesty, poor leadership, and misplaced values are signs of a society where God’s Word has not taken deep root. As Christians, we are called to be different; to allow the Gospel to shape not only our prayers but also our character, our decisions, and our service to others.

The faithful were encouraged to let God’s Word flow through them into the lives of others through acts of charity, integrity, compassion, and faithful witness, so that the Gospel may continue to bear fruit in our communities.

The homily concluded with the hymn “All the Words of My Lord,” a fitting reminder that discipleship is not merely about hearing God’s Word but allowing it to deepen our faith and transform our lives.

Key Takeaway: It is not enough to hear the Word of God. We must understand it with our minds, cherish it in our hearts, and live it every day until it bears lasting fruit.

STORY BY : UDEGBUE STELLA NGOZI (Mrs)

21/06/2026

30/05/2026

We anticipate tomorrow 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾