November 09, 2025, The Feast of St. John Lateran (Year C)

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – Feast of St. John Lateran

Readings: Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9, 12; 1 Cor. 3:9-11, 16-17; Jn. 2:13-22

 

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran. St. John Lateran, named after St. John the Baptist and the ancient Laterani family, is the cathedral church of Rome and one of the four major basilicas. For almost a thousand years, this church served as the residence of the Popes. Because it is the cathedral church of Rome and has such a rich history, its dedication is celebrated throughout the universal Church.

 

In the Old Testament, Jerusalem was regarded as the religious center of Israel, especially after David moved the Ark of the Covenant there around 1000 B.C. Its significance grew even further when Solomon built a temple there for the Ark and for liturgical services. For centuries, the Jerusalem Temple was the focal point of Israel’s worship, where people gathered to pray, worship God, and offer sacrifices. However, it also attracted individuals who were more interested in making money. This exploitation and disregard for the poor eventually led Jesus to cleanse the temple. “Jesus went up to Jerusalem and found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the moneychangers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out. He said, ‘Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.’” (John 2:13-16). He told them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” (Luke 19:45-46). Jesus predicted the temple’s destruction, saying, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” (Luke 21:5-19). This prediction came true seven years later.

 

At times, we admire the architectural beauty of a church or temple without considering its purpose. Did that temple elevate people’s minds toward God? Probably not. Despite its external grandeur, many abuses occurred within the temple. What about us? Do we conduct ourselves with reverence in the sacred places designated for the worship of God? We may take pride in our beautiful Church, but does it truly reflect the glory of God? Do we worship in spirit and in truth? Are we lacking in forgiveness, compassion, and mercy within the house of God? Do we welcome all who come to worship, regardless of their status, influence, race, or appearance? If not, is it not time for our temple to be reformed?

 

The first reading speaks of “water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple towards the east; for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar.” (Ezekiel 47:1). The Church Fathers interpret this water as representing the Church’s teachings and the cleansing power of Baptism. St. Jerome commented, “The waters signify either the grace of Baptism or the teaching of the Gospel. If the waters go out from the threshold of the temple of the Lord and carry the teaching of the apostles, they have the power to make piles of gravel, sterile and infertile as they are, bear fruit, and they can irrigate every plain and every desert.” Do we consistently follow the Church’s teachings that are essential to building our lives as Christians? Does our Church help elevate our minds toward God and encourage us to bear good fruit?

  

We often build structures—perhaps our achievements, material possessions, or social status—that hinder our complete surrender to God. These creations may lead us to look down on others or distract us from God. Our monumental pride may blind us to the presence of God and others. While it may have taken years to accumulate wealth and build our empires, if we do not see Christ in them, we risk hearing, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”  When a temple becomes so imposing that people can no longer see God except in it, the time for its destruction has come. Our faith requires us to recognize the presence of God in the human person as well as in the temple.

 

These readings remind us that in the risen body of Jesus, we find a new temple where God is worshipped and adored as the true house of God. St. Paul reminds us that we are indeed the temple of God, where the true Spirit dwells. If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person, for the temple of God is holy (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Therefore, from the physical structures of our churches, we understand that the glorified Body of Christ is the focal point of all worship directed to the Father, just as the temple was for the Jews. It is through Him, with Him, and in Him that all honor and glory are given to the Father. The physical church building takes on new significance in the context of the Christian faith. It is the place where the Eucharistic Body is present and offered to God.

Additionally, it serves as the gathering place for the new temple—the Church, which is the people of God. Therefore, it symbolizes a deeper spiritual reality, representing another temple not made by human hands. This is the reason we celebrate this feast.

 

Let me conclude with the prayer of Solomon for the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem: “Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O Lord, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication your servant makes before you. May your eyes watch over this temple day and night, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored. May you heed the prayers which I, your servant, offer toward this place. Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel, as they direct their prayers toward this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling, and when you have heard, pardon.” (2 Chronicles 6:20-21). Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

November 02, 2025; 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (All Souls Day) Year C

Readings: Wis. 3-1-9; Rom. 5:5-11; Jn. 6:37-40

All Souls Day

Christ is Our Resurrection

In the Preface for Christian death, we pray: “Lord, for your faithful people, life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.” Death is a change of life. It is the pathway that leads to our final destination - heaven. Our faith is rooted in the resurrection of Christ, which guarantees that those who died in Christ will be raised on the last day. St. Paul reminds us: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is useless, and your believing it is useless. If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate people.” (1 Cor. 15:14-19).

Christians suffered martyrdom because they hoped to live forever with God. We perceive death as a transition to a life of grace with God. The catechism made this point clear: “All the sacraments, and principally those of Christian initiation, have as their goal the last Passover of the child of God, which, through death, leads him into the life of the Kingdom. Then what he confessed in faith and hope will be fulfilled: ‘I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.’” (CCC.1680).  Christ reminds us in today’s gospel, “This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (Jn. 6:39-40).

Belief in the resurrection from the dead existed long before Christ. The hope of the resurrection is depicted in the Book of Maccabees. During the reign of the Greek king Antiochus IV, a law was enacted that made it a crime, punishable by death, for the Jews to practice their religion. They were compelled to worship and offer sacrifices to the Greek gods and goddesses. This caused great distress and persecution to the Jews. Many relinquished their faith and offered sacrifices to the pagan gods. Those who defied the king and remained faithful to their beliefs were put to death. (cf. 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 7, 9-14). 

The Book of Maccabees chronicles these terrible times and the struggle of the Jews to remain faithful to God despite egregious persecution and distress. Here we read of the torture of a heroic woman and her seven sons. They remained steadfast in their faith and refused to obey the king. Their hope was in the resurrection of the righteous. The first reading gives credence to the suffering and death of a Christian: “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction, and their going from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.” (Wisdom 3:1-3). Judas Maccabus, on the other hand, “Took a collection amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this, he acted in a very excellent and noble way, since he had the resurrection for the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. Thus, he made atonement for the dead.” (2 Macc. 13:43-46). St. Paul reminded us, “And if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.” (Rom. 8:11).

 

In Luke’s gospel 20:27-38, the Sadducees questioned Jesus about the resurrection. They confronted Jesus with an argument based on the levirate law, which states that if a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow and raise children for him (Deut. 25:5). They used this law to illustrate what they believed was the absurdity of the resurrection. They posed a hypothetical scenario in which seven brothers married the same woman and died childless; they asked Jesus, “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” Jesus clarified that life in the resurrection would be different from life on earth; we would be like angels, and there would be no need for procreation. Jesus reminded them of what God said to Moses at the burning bush: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:1-6). God is the God of the living, not of the dead. Though Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are no longer living in earthly terms, they are alive with God.

We believe in the resurrection. And so, we pray for our departed loved ones that they may live in peace with God. November is the month dedicated to prayer for the dead. Light a candle, book Masses, and pray for the suffering Church. We will expect our loved ones to pray for us when we are gone, so pray for those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith.  St. Paul’s encourages us: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-4). May our departed brothers and sisters rest in peace. Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

October 26, 2025; 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Lk 18:9-14

What is your Prayer Posture?

The posture we adopt during prayer can express the attitudes of our hearts. Biblical characters adopted different postures when they prayed. Abraham prostrated himself before God (Gen. 17:3, 17). Moses prayed on the hill with uplifted hands for the defeat of the Amalekites. (Ex. 18:8-13). Solomon knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven (1Kings 8:54). The leper prostrated and pleaded, ‘Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.’ (Lk. 5:12). Jesus prayed, looking up to heaven (Mk. 6:41; Jn. 11:41; 17:1). Ps. 95:6 urged us, “Let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us.” What is your prayer posture?

“Pride goes before the fall” is a saying we are familiar with. So, if we are too conceited or feel too important, something will happen to make us look foolish. This saying captures the attitude of the Pharisee, one of the two men who went to pray in the temple in today’s Gospel. Let us consider the Pharisees and their kind of prayer: Pharisees were members of a party that believed in the resurrection and in following legal traditions, ascribed not to the Bible but to ‘the traditions of the fathers.’ They were lay people who dedicated themselves to keeping God’s law as perfectly and as scrupulously as they could. They performed spiritual practices over and beyond what the law demanded and looked down on anyone who did not live up to their standards.

The prayer in the Gospel is typical of a pharisaic prayer. “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – even like this tax collector” (Lk. 18:11). According to William Barclay, “There is a recorded prayer of a certain Rabbi which runs like this, “I thank, Thee, O Lord my God, that thou hast put my part with those who sit in the Academy, and not with those who sit at the street corners. For I rise early, and they rise early; I rise early to the words of the law, and they to vain things. I labor, and they labor; I labor and receive a reward, and they labor and receive no reward. I run, and they run; I run to the life of the world to come, and they to the pit of destruction.” Rabbi Simeon ben Jocai once said, “If there are only two righteous men in the world, I and my son are these two; if there is only one, I am he!”

So being puritanical and scrupulous, the Pharisee may have, no doubt, done all that he said he did. He may not have cheated anyone, nor was he adulterous. He fasted, prayed many times a day, paid tithes on all he had and more, but he said the prayers of himself and to himself, not God. He was not humble but conceited. He was like a peacock, who flashed his beautiful, colored tail feathers for everyone to see how handsome he was. He was ostentatious, boastful, proud, and narcissistic. He called attention to himself! His was not prayer, but a list of accomplishments, expecting God to praise him. His is the sin of Lucifer - “light-bringer”, referred to as ‘the morning star’ (Is. 14:12), who turned that light on himself and refused to worship the Most High God. The Pharisee gave his advertisement to God for his glorious achievements and expected God to congratulate and reward him. He clearly demonstrated that he did not need God. In fact, he felt that God needed him more than he needed God to show the world what true holiness looks like. True prayer should be directed to God and God alone. God does not require a record of our good works; He knows them all. Instead, He needs us to have a contrite heart—one that is forgiving, caring, loving, compassionate, and merciful. A heart that is condescending, boastful, conceited, and spiteful is loathsome to God. That is why the Pharisee was not justified before Him.

 

The proud place themselves at a distance from others, and through that distance, others perhaps appear small or even contemptible, as the tax collector appeared to the Pharisee. ‘I thank God that I am not like this tax collector.’ How morally contemptuous his words are! Moral contempt is a far greater indignity and insult than any crime. We can feel good about our gifts, but genuine self-esteem is ruined by arrogant self-righteousness that judges others. I once saw a poster of a powerful tawny bearded lion with the caption: ‘It is so difficult to be humble.’ And yet, it is ‘the prayer of the humble that pierces the cloud and does not rest till it reaches its goal’ (Sirach 35:17), because only the humble can fully appreciate the grace of God.

Now the tax collector and his prayer. Tax collectors, who were Jews, served as public employees of the Romans. They collected taxes and sent them to Rome, but to earn a living, they often collected more than what was required. As a result, they enjoyed a decent income but developed a bad reputation. The community despised and hated them, viewing them as public sinners. The tax collector in our story was acutely aware of his status and knew that God was also aware of it. Lacking any friends, he depended entirely on God for everything. With a heavy heart, he approached God in prayer. Feeling unworthy, he could not even lift his eyes toward God. Instead, he beat his chest and pleaded for mercy. He didn’t simply see himself as a sinner; he viewed himself as the sinner. It was this heartbroken, self-deprecating prayer that gained him acceptance before God. He found peace with God through his humility, for pride hinders genuine communication with the divine.

These readings serve as a warning against comparing ourselves to others. Instead, we should measure ourselves against God’s standards. Our goal in this world should always be to please God, not people. All that we are and all that we have is pure grace—a gift from God. Therefore, we should never look down on anyone. With the strength bestowed upon us by God, we should work to uplift others rather than bring them down. When we compare our lives to that of our Lord Jesus Christ, one undeniable truth becomes clear: we are not as holy as we might think. We will soon realize that we, too, are sinners in need of God’s mercy and love. We will come to see ourselves in the same way as the tax collector at prayer, echoing his cry: “Lord, be merciful to me, the sinner.”

Questions to ponder:

·        Am I as good as God wants me to be?

·        Do I approach God with pride or with a humble spirit?

·        What posture best describes my attitude to God in prayer?

·        What do I need to pray for this week?

“The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly, and affirms the right. And the LORD will not delay” (Sir. 35:17-19).

“Don’t forget to pray today because God didn’t forget to wake you up this morning.”

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

October 19, 2025; 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:13-14 4:2; Lk 18:1-18

Prayers Are Always Answered

Today’s readings encourage us to pray always and not to give up. Prayer connects us to the eternal presence of God, reminding us that we should never succumb to discouragement. In the first reading, we see the Israelites battling against the Amalekites. Moses took his stand on a high hill, lifting his hands and imploring God’s victory for his people. He had the support of his friends. Sometimes we need encouragement and support from one another in our prayers. By praying for our friends, we let them know we are thinking of them, thereby creating an environment that fosters a healthy communal life. In the Gospel, Jesus reinforces this point with the story of the unjust judge, emphasizing the necessity of persistence in prayer until our Father hears us. The widow continued to seek justice from the unjust judge without losing heart. Unlike the unjust judge, God is a merciful Father who knows the needs of His children and will always provide for them, though He does so in His own time.

All prayers are answered, even when the outcome is negative. Jesus urges us to remain persistent in prayer. He did not promise that we would be answered in the way we desire and when we want it. Instead, He asks for humility and faith. There is no guarantee of immediate answers; instead, He promises a reward for those who persist, encouraging commitment over empty promises. Our faith and commitment stem from enduring trials and persecutions for the sake of the Word, while we remain hopeful and joyful, knowing that God’s plans will come to fruition in his own time. It may be delayed, but it will never be denied.

Effective prayer requires action. God will not do for us what we can and should do for ourselves. If you pray for favors, work hard to make that a reality in your life. Therefore, students who did not prepare for the examination shouldn’t expect success because they prayed. They should study diligently and then pray for success. God will bless their efforts with success. So, research and study as if everything depends on you, and pray, knowing that everything ultimately depends on God.

We must pray with faith. St. James reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, since they are double-minded and unstable in all their ways.” (James 1:5-8). “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for, and evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). Faith is an essential component of effective prayer. Listen to Jesus: “Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it shall be yours.” (Mk. 11:23-24).  

What do you ask for in prayer? St. James asks, “Where do wars and conflicts come from among you? Is it not from your passions that wage war within you? You covet but do not possess; you kill and envy but cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You ask but do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives—to spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-4). “If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth? Will we remain faithful even if our prayers seem unanswered? Ultimately, we should ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit first.

Let us learn from Solomon what to ask for in prayers. God said to Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” (1 Kings 3:5).  Solomon’s response was simple: “Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” (1Kings 3: 9). The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request and granted him wisdom, along with other blessings he did not request. (cf. 1 Kings 3:10-14). So, be specific regarding your request. Avoid too many prayer intentions. God knows all you need. Thus, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and He will provide for all your other needs (cf. Mt. 6:33).

Forgiveness is a key to a positive outcome in prayers. Jesus said, “When you stand to pray, forgive anyone you have a grievance against, so that your heavenly Father may also forgive you your transgressions.” (Mk. 11:25-26). We must be willing to forgive those who hurt us if we want God to forgive us and answer our prayers. That is what we pray for in the ‘Our Father’. (cf. Mt. 6:9-14). Jesus ends the Our Father prayer with, “But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt. 6:15). In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus concludes with this punch line: “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.” (Mt. 18:35). Isaiah opines, “Surely the hand of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. Rather, it is your iniquities that have separated you from your God; your sins make Him hide His face from you so that He will not hear you.” (Is. 59:1-2).

Sometimes, our prayers are answered progressively. When Jesus healed the blind man at Bethsaida, he did not regain his sight immediately; instead, it happened progressively. After applying spittle to the man’s eyes and laying hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” The man replied, “I see people, but they look like trees walking.” (Mk. 8:22-26). It was only after Jesus laid His hands on his eyes a second time that he was able to see clearly. We must be patient and wait on the Lord. Thus, we pray for God’s will to be done, not ours. A wise saying has it that “Prayer is not a device for getting our wills done through heaven, but a desire for God’s will to be done on earth through us.” Pray and wait on God. Prayers are always answered if we know how to ask and what to ask for. God is not unjust. He is not unconcerned with our problems. He is not as far from us as we sometimes think. We are often the ones who turn away from God and feel that He delays in giving an immediate answer to our prayers.

When we pray, let us remain calm and trust that God will act on our behalf. Cf. 2 Kings 18 -19. The story of Hezekiah and Sennacherib’s invasion. Hezekiah entrusted Sennacherib to the hands of God, and God fought on his behalf. God knows what is best for us, and He will grant us what we ask for in his own time.  Whether we receive a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’ answer, we must return to the Lord with thanks. Or Christ we ask, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” (Luke 17:17-19).

Let me conclude with “The Blessings of Unanswered Prayers” by an unknown Confederate soldier:

• I asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
• I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
• I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise.
• I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
• I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
• I got nothing that I had asked for, but everything that I had hoped for.
• Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered; I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

Questions to ponder:

1.     Do you have a healthy prayer life?  

2.     Do you believe that your prayers are always answered?  

3.     Do you set aside a time for prayer each day?

4.     Are you too busy to pray?  

 “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” - Soren Kierkegaard

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

October 12, 2025, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Year C)

Readings: 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Lk 17:11-19 

Believers will always receive the Blessing.

The Eucharist is the greatest act of thanksgiving we can offer to God. It is described as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing through which the Church expresses gratitude for all His benefits, as well as for everything He has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. The word “Eucharist” itself means “thanksgiving.” At Mass, we gather around the Eucharistic table as a family of God’s people to give thanks for the gift of life, good health, our families, friends, our nation, and for everything God has done for us. (CCC 1360)

Surprisingly, churches are not full every Sunday with grateful people singing praises to God for their blessings. This raises a question: Could Christ be asking us, as He did the Samaritan leper, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Gratitude should come naturally to everyone; however, we live in a world where selfishness, self-centeredness, and greed have led to a false sense of entitlement, making us feel that everything we have is ours by right. Consequently, it becomes increasingly difficult to appreciate the contributions that others have made to our successes in life. According to Criss Jami, “Man is not, by nature, deserving of all that he wants. When we think we are automatically entitled to something, we start walking all over others to get it.”

Today’s readings feature two men, both foreigners, who teach us the importance of gratitude. Outsiders—whether Samaritans or lepers—are a special focus in the ministry of Jesus. They are often more open to seeing God at work in ways that ordinary believers may overlook. After his healing, Naaman recognized the unique status of Israel’s saving Lord and declared, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.” Naaman’s sincere gratitude towards the God of Israel and the prophet Elisha brought him a gift far more precious than the healing of his leprosy; he received faith in God and was determined to serve Him faithfully. He asked, “If you will not accept the gift I brought, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth, for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord.” Through obedience to the prophet, he was healed, and his faith in God led to the forgiveness of his sins. His humility accorded him the cure for his skin disease, and his gratitude to God gave him faith in the true God. Jesus was pleased to see one of the lepers—the Samaritan—returning to thank God for his healing. He wondered why the other nine did not come back to say, “thank you,” not because He sought their gratitude, but to help them complete His work of love, of which their healing was only the first step—bringing them to faith.

Today’s readings encourage us to express our gratitude to God for His love and mercy towards us. We must teach our children to show appreciation for the blessings they receive and not to take anything or anyone for granted. For everything we have is a gift from God. Many of us have been ungrateful to our parents at times. To those who are thankless, King Lear remarked, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” We are often ungrateful to our fellow human beings as well. We can never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe to those who have helped us along our journeys to becoming who we are today. It is easy to forget the contributions of friends, teachers, doctors, surgeons, or colleagues who have done something for us that is impossible to repay. Unfortunately, we often fail to try to repay these debts. “Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude.” (William Shakespeare, in ‘As You Like It’).

Questions: Are you consistently grateful to God for the favors you have received? Or would Christ say of you, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?” Have you taught your children to express gratitude for their blessings, or have they developed a false sense of entitlement due to your behavior and failure to express thanks? Perhaps we could set aside a few minutes during dinner this week for each family member to express gratitude to God for the special things that happened that day. We should do this not only on Thanksgiving Day once a year but regularly, as we have reasons to be grateful every day. Count your blessings one by one, and you will be surprised by what God has done for you. “Thanksgiving—the giving of thanks to God for all His blessings—should be one of the most distinctive marks of the believer in Jesus Christ. Let us not allow a spirit of ingratitude to harden our hearts and chill our relationships with God and one another. As the poet George Herbert beautifully expresses it, “O God, you have given us so much. Give us one thing more—a grateful heart.” Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

October 05, 2025; 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 2; Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk 17:5-10

Faith Makes the Impossible Possible

Today’s first reading is from the prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk is believed to have written his book around the 7th century BC, shortly before the Babylonians captured Jerusalem in 586 BC. Habakkuk was disturbed by the violence and cruelty of the Babylonians. He asked the Lord, “So why are you silent while they destroy people who are more righteous than they?” (1:13). The Lord responded that He would act in His own good time. In the meantime, “Those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.” (2:4).

 We often find ourselves feeling like Habakkuk—frustrated and disillusioned as we witness destruction and bloodshed in our communities while God seems unresponsive. Our faith is frequently tested and shaken in the face of rampant hatred and disregard for one another. We hear of the persecution and relentless killing of Christians, with some incidents occurring while they are praying in church or even being burned alive during Mass. Gun violence has claimed countless lives in our nation, leaving us feeling hopeless and helpless.

According to Gun Violence Archive (GVA) data from September 29, 2025, there have been a total of 325 mass shootings—defined as incidents in which four or more victims are shot, excluding the shooter. Within this grim statistic, there have been 10 mass murders recorded. Tragically, among the victims, 175 children aged 0-11 and 762 teens aged 12-17 have lost their lives. Reports from Johns Hopkins University highlight that “the number of deaths and injuries from gun violence in 2025 continues to be a significant public issue in our nation.” Amidst this chaos, we hear God asking us, “What have you done? Listen: Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil!” (Genesis 4:10). Like Habakkuk, we cry out, “How long, O Lord? I cry for help, but you do not listen! I cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not intervene.” Yet God calls us to remain faithful. In other words, He desires for us to keep our faith strong.

Faith is “The realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1). Faith makes us ready and willing to do God’s will. In today’s Gospel, the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. Why was this request relevant? The answer can be found in Luke 17:1-4. Here, Christ warned His apostles against causing scandal or becoming a stumbling block for others. He acknowledged that while it is impossible to construct a world without temptations, woe to the person who teaches another to sin or rob another of their innocence. The difficulty of putting this teaching into practice led the apostles to ask for an increase of faith. Jesus answered them: “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Faith is the most significant force in the world. It makes the impossible possible; it does not depend on its size or quantity but on its quality and effectiveness. Because we are not alone, God is always with us. Faith is not jumping to a conclusion; it is concluding to jump into God’s arms. “By this faith, a just man lives.” (Gal. 3:11). Examples.

This kind of faith can draw poison from every grief, take the sting from every loss, and quench the fire of every pain. Jesus compares faith to a “tiny mustard seed.” Just as the power of the seed does not depend on its size but on the life hidden within itself, the power of our faith does not depend on its quantity but on its quality. This transformative power enables us to struggle against sins, avoid causing scandal, and forgive all hurt. Our faith must be living, practical, and trustworthy. Paul reminds Timothy in the second reading not to forget the gifts of the Holy Spirit he received when he was ordained as a minister. “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power, love, and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:6-7). Paul told Timothy not to be intimidated by the hardship, opposition, and difficulties he encountered in Ephesus. Instead, challenges should strengthen his faith. The apostles, too, sensed the difficulties of their mission and cried out for an increase in faith. Following Christ is never easy. It was not easy for Christ either. On the Cross, He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:2).

Following God is challenging, but “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken.” (Ps. 125:1). We must be active in our Christian duties while remaining humble enough to say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” Amidst difficulties, violence, persecution, and tribulation, we wait and hope diligently and earnestly, patiently and perseveringly on God while doing all in our power and within our ability to bring peace to our troubled world. Like the apostles, we pray, Lord, increase our faith! Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

September 28, 2025; 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Tim. 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31.

Our Sins of Omission

Last Sunday, Amos the prophet denounced the wealthy for exploiting the poor. His message was direct and uncompromising. He told the people of Israel that, because of their social injustice and religious arrogance, the Lord would punish them by means of a total military disaster. Amos warned that, due to their lifestyle, the impending disaster would spare no one; it would affect the rich and the poor alike. Today, Amos warned the rich who feasted sumptuously and enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle that they “Shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.” The rich did not care about the poor; they took no notice of them, except to exploit and use them to advance their selfish interests.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man, Dives, and Lazarus. Dives (pronounced ‘Dive-ees’, the Latin for ‘rich’) was a rich man who dressed in purple (royalty) and fine linen clothes, and feasted on exotic and costly dishes and drank expensive wine. And there was Lazarus, a Latinized form of Eleazar, meaning ‘God is my help.’ Lazarus was a homeless, disabled beggar who was so sick that he could not drive away the dogs that came to lick his sores. He survived on the leftovers from the rich man’s table. Though Lazarus sat at the rich man’s gate day in and day out, he did not notice him. The only time the rich man noticed Lazarus was when he saw him on the bosom of Abraham. While the rich man was laughing, rejoicing, and celebrating on earth, Lazarus was in agony. But in heaven, Lazarus rejoiced while Dives suffered in hell. Christ warned: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.” (Lk. 6:20-25).

What was the rich man’s sin? And why was he in hell? He did not kick Lazarus out, shout at him, or prevent him from sitting by his gate. The parable said nothing about the source of his wealth. Being rich was a blessing from God. “Wealth and riches shall be in their homes; their prosperity shall endure forever.” (Ps. 112:3). Deut. 8:18 states, “It is the Lord, your God, who gives you the power to acquire wealth, by fulfilling, as he has now done, the covenant which he swore to your fathers.”

The sin that sent the rich man to hell was that he did not care; he did not notice his fellow man dying in abject poverty. He did nothing to alleviate his suffering or remedy his situation. He saw Lazarus as part of the landscape in front of his gate. He lacked human decency to live a life of holiness by taking care of his fellow man in need. He failed to do what Paul urged Timothy to do in the second reading. “But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life.” (1 Tim. 6:11-12). He did not obey the commandment of love nor understand that “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is to care for orphans and widows in their affliction.” (James 1:27). He did nothing! The sin of omission sent the rich man to hell. We contribute to the sufferings of the poor by doing nothing to help them out of their poverty!

The rich should help the poor in this world, while the poor will help the rich in the next. “He raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’” Hell is real, and we may go there if we refuse to notice the Lazarus in our family, our community, our society, and in our world. They are everywhere; can we see them? The poor and the immigrants. These people need our attention. They are pan-handlers on the street corners, and they sleep under bridges. Can you see the hurt in their eyes? They need you. Please do not wait for the reversal of fortunes to notice them; it may be too late then. Let us remember, as John F. Kennedy would have us do, in his inaugural address of January 20, 1961, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

Finally, it seems odd that the rich man’s request, that his brothers be warned, was denied. Isn’t it true that if men possess the truth of God’s word, and, wherever they look, there is sorrow to be comforted, need to be supplied, pain to be relieved, and they are not moved to do anything or take action to alleviate their sufferings, nothing can change them, even if someone were to come back from the dead? We know why the rich man went to hell, for God sends no one to hell. He went to hell because of his sin of omission, and we are not immune to that sin. May we choose the path of righteousness and do something today to alleviate the pains of our suffering brothers and sisters, so that we may not join the rich man in his pity-party held in hell. Amen!

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP