The Evening Chapel

27/05/2026

Jesus did the unthinkable! He wedded authority with selfless service and with loving sacrifice (Mark 10:32-45). Authority without sacrificial love is brutish and self-serving. Jesus also used stark language to explain what kind of sacrifice He had in mind. His disciples must drink His cup if they expect to reign with Him in His kingdom. The cup He had in mind was a bitter one involving crucifixion. What kind of cup does the Lord have in mind for us? For some disciples, such a cup entails physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom. But for many, it entails the long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, setbacks, struggles, and temptations.
A follower of Jesus must be ready to lay down his or her life in martyrdom and be ready to lay it down each and every day in the little and big sacrifices required. An early church father summed up Jesus’ teaching with the expression: to serve is to reign with Christ. We share in God’s reign by laying down our lives in humble service as Jesus did for our sake. Are you willing to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus did?
DAILY DEDICATION: Lord Jesus, your death brought life and freedom. Make me a servant of your love that I may seek to serve rather than be served, and share in your victory over sin, suffering, and death.
– Source: Daily Scripture

https://theeveningchapel.wordpress.com/2026/05/26/service-sacrifice-may-27-2026/

27/05/2026

26/05/2026

Right after a wealthy young man refused to follow Jesus, Peter, somewhat crudely, wanted to know what he and the other disciples would get out of it since they had freely accepted Jesus’ offer to follow Him unconditionally (Mark 10:28-31). Jesus spoke with utter honesty: Those who left all for Him would receive a hundred times more now, even in this life, as well as unending life in the age to come.
The gospel presents us with a paradox: we lose what we keep, and we gain what we give away. When we lose our lives for Jesus Christ, we gain a priceless treasure and an inheritance that lasts forever. The fact is, whatever we give to God comes back a hundredfold because, really, nobody can outdo God in generosity. He is the source of everything we have. Indeed, our generosity is an acknowledgement of God’s gifts to us. Generosity flows from a heart full of gratitude for the abundant mercy and grace that God grants.
In place of material wealth, Jesus promised His disciples the blessing and joy of rich fellowship with the community of believers. No earthly good or possession can rival the joy and bliss of knowing God and the peace and unity He grants to His disciples.
DAILY DEDICATION: Lord Jesus, I want to follow you as your disciple and to love you wholeheartedly with all that I have. Fill my heart with faith, hope, and love that I may always find peace and joy in your presence.
– Fr. Julian Egwuatu [Adapted from Daily Scripture]

https://theeveningchapel.wordpress.com/2026/05/25/generosity-may-26-2026/

25/05/2026

The day after Pentecost, the Church honours Mary as Mother of the Church. She is a woman, a true mother who stood and prayed with the Church from its very beginning, just as she stood and prayed with Jesus from His earthly beginnings until He expired on the Cross.
At the foot of the Cross. Jesus looks down and sees His mother, and beside her stands the beloved disciple. He speaks: “Woman, behold your son.” Then to the disciple: “Behold your mother” (John 19:25-34). In that moment, John represents every disciple and Mary is given to us all. She receives us as her children, even as her own Son breathes His last.
Just as she cooperated with God and the Holy Spirit overshadowed her to give birth to God’s Son, the Head of the Church, Luke notes carefully that Mary was with the disciples of Jesus, praying till the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:12-14). The one who treasured all things in her heart, who stood beneath the Cross, now prays with the little flock. She does not dominate. She does not instruct. She prays. Her presence is the quiet, steady hearth around which the infant Church gathers its courage.
This is why we call her Mother of the Church. She gave birth to the Head; she now mothers the Body. She intercedes, she watches, she loves. And she never abandons us. From the agony of Calvary to the hope of Pentecost, she remains. On this memorial, let us turn to her. She knows our fears, our divisions, our waiting. She will pray with us until the Spirit comes.
DAILY DEDICATION: Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us as you prayed in the upper room. Intercede for the coming of the Holy Spirit, that we may become one body, one spirit in Christ.
– Fr. Julian Egwuatu [Adapted from Daily Scripture]

https://theeveningchapel.wordpress.com/2026/05/24/behold-your-mother-may-25-2026/

24/05/2026

On the day of Pentecost, we read of how the Apostles were filled with the Spirit and powerfully preached to the people. Yet, fifty days prior, the Apostles had also received the Holy Spirit. On the evening of that first Easter day, the doors were locked and fear sealed them in the upper room. Jesus came into their midst, showed them His hands and His side, and then He breathed on them: “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This was an intimate act where the breath of the Creator entered them. In that quiet place, the church was given a commission: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (John 20:19-23).
On Pentecost day, in the upper room, at another gathering, the apostles received the Holy Spirit but with a different impact. Rather than the gentle breath of Christ, it was the roar of the Spirit; a sound like a driving wind filled the whole house and tongues like fire rested on each of them. They began to speak in other languages (Acts 2:1-11). The quiet breath became a rushing gale, the intimacy of the previous encounter gave way to an outburst that involved the crowd outside: devout Jews from every nation under heaven. Suddenly, fear turned into boldness and hiding became proclamation.
These two events did not give two separate gifts. They are the same Spirit, released first into the closed circle of the apostles for the forgiveness of sins, then unleashed upon the world for the salvation of all. The breath that recreated the first disciples in the upper room now fills the whole house of the Church and bursts forth to reach the ends of the earth. We have received that same Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation. The question is not whether we have the Spirit, but whether we have unlocked the doors of our own fear to let the fire out.
DAILY DEDICATION: Come, Holy Spirit, breath of the Risen Lord. Give us tongues of fire to speak our mighty deeds, that every nation may hear the Gospel in its own tongue.
– Fr. Julian Egwuatu

https://theeveningchapel.wordpress.com/2026/05/23/the-gifts-of-the-spirit-may-24-2026/

23/05/2026

After the beautiful reconciliation between Jesus and Peter, Peter turns and notices John following them. He asks Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” – a question many of us have asked in our own ways (John 21:20–25). Jesus responds directly: “…What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”
Peter wanted to know, even though it was not his business. It is important to know that our calling is personal. It’s easy to compare our path to others, to wonder why someone else’s journey looks easier, or why we face different struggles. But Jesus redirects Peter’s focus. The call is not to compare, but to follow.
Following Christ requires trust. It means embracing the path He sets for you, with its joys, crosses, and graces. Peter’s mission would be to lead the early Church and eventually give his life in martyrdom. John’s mission would be different: to witness and write, to live long and pass on the testimony of Jesus. Both were faithful. Both were essential.
Jesus’ words, “You follow me,” are addressed to each of us today. We don’t need to understand everyone else’s role in God’s plan. We need to remain faithful to ours. That might mean serving quietly, suffering patiently, or leading courageously—but always with our eyes on Christ.
The Gospel ends by reminding us that Jesus did so much more than what is written. His work continues today—through us, if we are willing to follow.
DAILY DEDICATION: Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on You. In a world full of comparison and distraction, teach me to follow You with a faithful and willing heart. Guide my steps, and help me trust the path You have chosen for me.
– Fr. Julian Egwuatu

https://theeveningchapel.wordpress.com/2026/05/22/you-follow-me-may-23-2026/

22/05/2026

Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now, the risen Christ questions him three times. Jesus does not castigate him; instead, He speaks tenderly but directly to Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15–19). Jesus doesn’t ask Peter, “Are you worthy?” or “Are you ready?” He asks, “Do you love me?” Because love is the foundation of every true vocation. It is what gives meaning to ministry, power to witness, and depth to discipleship.
After Peter gives his response, Jesus doesn’t just restore Peter, He commissions him: “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.” Love for Jesus is not meant to stay in the heart; it must move into action, into service, into sacrifice. Then Jesus adds something even more profound: “… someone else will lead you where you do not want to go.” Following Jesus means surrendering control. Peter’s love will eventually lead him to the Cross, just as it did for his Lord.
This question is directed at us also: “Do you love me?” Not just in words, but in daily choices. Are we willing to serve, forgive, and follow—especially when it costs us something? Like Peter, we may have failed. But Jesus still calls us. And if we love Him, He sends us out to care for others.
DAILY DEDICATION: Lord Jesus, thank You for restoring us even in our brokenness. May we respond to Your love with faithfulness, courage, and care for those around us. Strengthen us to walk in Your purpose.
– Fr. Julian Egwuatu

https://theeveningchapel.wordpress.com/2026/05/21/do-you-love-me-may-22-2026/