Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, VI Lagos

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, VI Lagos Welcome to page of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island Lagos.

Sunday Masses: 7am, 9am & 11am

Weekdays: 7:15am, 1pm & 6:30pm

Saturdays & Public Holidays: 8:30am

REFLECTION *2 Thess 2:1-3,14-17/Matt 23:23-26*Paul, in our 1st reading of today, affirms that tradition is an authentic ...
25/08/2026

REFLECTION

*2 Thess 2:1-3,14-17/Matt 23:23-26*

Paul, in our 1st reading of today, affirms that tradition is an authentic conveyor of the truth. But for those who believe that revelation comes from the Scriptures alone, this can be a problem. An idea or truth is related to some form of tradition. If there is a human element included in the truth, then there is tradition that accompanies it. There is no need to worry about traditions passed down from generation to generation unless they are contrary to the Scriptures. Scriptures were once an oral tradition before they were committed to writing. This account for the reason why the Catholic Church holds the 2 as greater treasure: Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scriptures.

Jesus, in today’s gospel reading, does not condemn the scribes and Pharisees for tithing but for putting importance on the wrong thing, like external details of the law: cleaning the outside of the cup and dish, paying tithes of mint and dill and cu**in, but they neglect to care for the needy and the weak. They put unnecessary burdens on others while neglecting to show charity. Also, their lack of faith, and, lack of mercy, greed, uncritical thoughts, and self-indulgence. This is why Jesus calls them hypocrites because they neglect the more important matters of religion such as justice, mercy, fidelity, and the love of God.

What exactly did Jesus mean when he called the Pharisees hypocrites when they were so versed in the knowledge of the Bible? In Jesus’ language, the word hypocrite denotes what is superficial as well as anyone who aspires to direct others without having learned from the poor or practiced true humility. The challenge is directed not only to church leaders then and now but to all of us.

Today, we are all exhorted to become true reflection of the deep humility of Christ, which he manifested by his death on the cross.

REFLECTION: What do you do in daily life to make others think well of you? What do you do secretly to please God?

Lord, I thank You that You help me live without a mask, and to please you rather than the people around me. Amen.

Good morning, and have a blissful day ahead.

25/08/2026

Jesus is not looking for this...

Morning Psalm Good morning, beloved child of God. As we begin this day, let us pray that the Lord will send us His help ...
25/08/2026

Morning Psalm

Good morning, beloved child of God. As we begin this day, let us pray that the Lord will send us His help and fulfil our every one of our plans.

*PSALM 20*
May the Lord answer in time of trial;
may the name of Jacob’s God protect you.
May he send you help from his shrine
and give you support from Sion.
May he remember all your offerings
and receive your sacrifice with favour.
May he give you your heart’s desire
and fulfil every one of your plans.
May we ring out our joy at your victory
and rejoice in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your prayers.
I am sure now that the Lord
will give victory to his anointed,
will reply from his holy heaven
with the mighty victory of his hand.
Some trust in chariots or horses,
but we in the name of the Lord.
They will collapse and fall,
but we shall hold and stand firm.
Give victory to the king, O Lord,
give answer on the day we call.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

WORD BITE: We can sometimes become so focused on the journey that we lose sight of the destination. When this happens, there is confusion, misrepresentation of the facts and fear. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3a, 14-17, Paul writes to a community that is unsettled and afraid. They have heard disturbing claims about the “day of the Lord” and are beginning to lose their peace. Paul sought to remind them of what they have already received: the Gospel. Their duty is to stand firm and hold fast to the truth handed on to them through the oral tradition and writings of the apostles. And by this statement, St Paul makes it clear that our deposit of Faith includes both the Bible (writings) and Tradition (oral tradition).
In the Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees had become so concerned with every religious detail, with what can be measured, that they have lost sight of what matters most to God (Matthew 23:23-26). Jesus is not telling us that small acts of faithfulness are unimportant. He is reminding us to put them in their proper place. Justice, mercy and faith must shape everything else.
Let us focus on the goal. As we are particular about how things are done in church and it must reflect in our patience at home. As we speak passionately about morality we must also show mercy to someone who has fallen. As we defend religious traditions we must recognise the person standing in front of us.
When the world is noisy and confusing, let us return to what Christ has taught us. Let us not allow anxiety or speculation pull us away from the quiet work of faithful living- loving, caring and sharing the Christian life with others.

DAILY DEDICATION: Lord Jesus, keep us faithful to Your word. Save us from a religion that looks good on the outside but neglects love, mercy and justice. Give us steady hearts and teach us to live what we profess.

August 25, 2026– Tuesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time Look with favour on our morning prayer, Lord,and in your saving lov...
25/08/2026

August 25, 2026– Tuesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time

Look with favour on our morning prayer, Lord,
and in your saving love
let your light pe*****te the hidden places of our hearts.
May no sordid desires darken our minds,
renewed and enlightened as we are by your heavenly grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Have a blessed day

offering

24/08/2026

Mai tsarki (Holy, holy, holy)

24/08/2026

What Would You Do?

REFLECTION *Rev 21:9-14/John 1:45-51*Today, we are celebrating the Feast day of St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel...
24/08/2026

REFLECTION

*Rev 21:9-14/John 1:45-51*

Today, we are celebrating the Feast day of St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. when Jesus uttered his name. He was surprised, and he made his profession of faith to Jesus by saying: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” (Jn. 1:49)

He received one of the most beautiful compliments that any man could receive from the Son of God. “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” (Jn.1:47)

St. Bartholomew also combined two attitudes, which are ideal for a person who searches for the truth. He was both critical and open-minded. He was critical when he reacted to the claim of St. Philip said that he found the Messiah. St. Bartholomew said: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”(Jn.1:46) Therefore we can say that he was a very frank person too who spoke his mind. But he was also open-minded when he followed the suggestion of St. Philip to come and see for himself. Honesty and critical open-mindedness are still the best attitudes for anyone interested in finding the truth.

If we want to be truly honest and sincere, then we should imitate St. Bartholomew, in his readiness to express what is truly in his mind and heart.

Today’s reading 1st describes a glorious building or church that is built on the foundation of the twelve Apostles. We can trace our faith back to those who shared it with us, to others, and finally back to the twelve. We have much to be grateful for those who shared their faith with us. Let us also give thanks to God for the saints who stand as universal witnesses to the faith and whose lives continue to inspire us today.

The gospel, on the other hand, tells us that each of us has a different conversion story. What inspires one person to give his life in the service and love of God may cause indifference in the life of another. Just because something worked for us doesn’t guarantee that it will lead the next person to conversion. Jesus uses different means in calling His disciples. May God’s grace help us discern the approach to use when evangelizing others.

Reflection: The honesty, straightforward, sincerity of heart, and integrity of a Christian are signs that can attract more people to the Chritian faith.

Dear Father, thank You for Your unconditional love. May it continue to transform me into Your image and likeness. Amen.

Good morning, and have a blissful working week ahead.

Morning Psalm Good morning, beloved child of God. Let us arise and call on the Lord's name as we look to Him for help in...
24/08/2026

Morning Psalm

Good morning, beloved child of God. Let us arise and call on the Lord's name as we look to Him for help in our affliction.

*PSALM 116B*
I trusted, even when I said:
‘I am sorely afflicted,’
and when I said in my alarm:
‘No man can be trusted.’
How can I repay the Lord
for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;
I will call on the Lord’s name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfil
before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful.
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;
you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;
I will call on the Lord’s name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfil
before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

WORD BITE: Bartholomew, also called Nathanael, reacted strongly to the news from his friend Philip that they had found the promised Messiah (John 1:45-51). He reacted this way because it was common knowledge among the Jews that the promised Messiah would come from Bethlehem, not from Nazareth. So Nathanael immediately raises this doubt because of Jesus’ supposed origin.
Just like Nathanael, we can easily doubt matters of faith because we do not fully understand. Perhaps if Philip had come and said that Jesus was born in Bethlehem but raised in Nazareth, then Nathanael may have been more immediately open.
Though Nathanael expressed a certain doubt, he remained open to what Philip was saying. Philip, in answer to this doubt, said the best thing he could have said. He said, “Come and see.”
When Nathaniel encountered Jesus, he confessed Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Nathanael’s immediate realization of the greatness of Jesus could have only come by the gift of grace working in his soul. He came to see Jesus and believed through the interior gift of faith.
When we bring our confusion to our Lord in faith and openness, all will be made clear. We will have our temptations to doubt removed, and we will be able to have faith that goes far beyond human reason alone.

DAILY DEDICATION: My loving Lord, You invite all of us to come to You, to see You and to have faith in You. You truly are the Son of God and the King of all. Please open my mind to all that You wish to say to me so that I may shed my doubts and come to a transforming faith in all things.

August 24, 2026– Feast of St. Bartholomew, ApostleStrengthen in us, O Lord, the faith,by which the blessed Apostle Barth...
24/08/2026

August 24, 2026– Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle

Strengthen in us, O Lord, the faith,
by which the blessed Apostle Bartholomew
clung wholeheartedly to your Son,
and grant that through the help of his prayers
your Church may become for all the nations
the sacrament of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Have a blessed day

offering

REFLECTION *Is 22:19-23/Rom 11:33-36/Matt 16:13-20*God, in the 1st reading of today, says: I place the key of the House...
23/08/2026

REFLECTION

*Is 22:19-23/Rom 11:33-36/Matt 16:13-20*

God, in the 1st reading of today, says: I place the key of the House of David on my servant's shoulder, should he open, no one shall close,
should he close, no one shall open. This point to the absolute authority God gave to Jesus as the Messiah. (Is 22: 22)

Today’s 2nd reading is the conclusion of Paul’s theological discourse on the position of Israel as the chosen people of God and how it squares with the choice of Christians as the new people of God (Rom 11-13).

In today’s gospel reading, it seems that Jesus was worried about His public image to the extent that He poses these questions to His disciples: the first “Who do people say that I am?” And the second: Who do you say that I am?”

In response to the first question, after they had listened to the people, talked with the people who had listened to Jesus’ preaching, with those who had been cured by Jesus or had seen Him healing. The apostles gave the various opinions of the people. In that sense, they followed what the other people said about Him during this time: that He is John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

To the second question, Peter, the spokesman of the group, professed his faith in Jesus. ‘You are the Christ the Son of the living God,’ in other words, ‘you are the Messiah, the promised Redeemer, the One sent by God to redeem us.’”

Jesus, in response to Peter’s answer, said this over 2000 years ago:

"You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18).

This passage is crucial for a proper understanding of what the church is and our role in the church. This is the most explicit statement that Jesus makes in the Gospels about the church.

Firstly, it tells us that Jesus is the owner of His church. Neither Peter nor the disciples owns the church.

Secondly, the passage tells us that Jesus is the one who builds his church. He is the master builder who has the building plan in his hands. Human co-operators are like masons and carpenters employed by the master builder to help him with the building.

Please, don't be mistaken thinking that the Church is the physical house of worship we go to every Sunday. The Church is the people, the community of believers who profess the one true faith in Jesus.

Likewise, the Church is not the institutional and hierarchical structure. Rather, the Church is composed of families firmly adhering to the Gospel values.

Lastly, this Sunday, the Gospel invites us to renew our faith and loyalty to our Holy Mother Church. So, let us profess, “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” and be patriotic about it.

Reflection: WHO IS GOD for you? How is God using me to build up His Church? Am I letting God use me? Let us remember and keep reminding ourselves that our greatest agenda in this world are not things, but people, and that what matters most in the end is not what we hold in our hands but what we hold in our hearts.

Lord, remind me that life is not so much about image or being impressive, but being real and being expressive. Amen.

Happy Sunday, and have a grace-filled week ahead.

Address

14 Musa Yar'dua Street, Off Kofo Abayomi Street
Ikoyi
101007

Opening Hours

07:00 - 09:00
09:00 - 11:00

Telephone

+2349137141285

Website

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