May 18, 2025; 5th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

Readings: Acts 14:21-27; Rv. 21:1-5; Jn. 13:31-33, 34-35 

Love one another as I have loved you!

On the eve of His death, Christ addressed His Apostles, saying, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31). Christ was glorified because He was obedient to His Father. As stated in Philippians 2:5-11, “Christ Jesus did not regard equality with God but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place.” Christ wanted His apostles to emulate His self-sacrificial love and share it with the world. “This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

Christ, the new Moses, gave His disciples a new commandment: “Love one another.” St. Augustine asked, “Isn’t this commandment part of the ancient law of God, which states, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’? If it is, why does the Lord call it new?” Leviticus 19:18 instructs, “love your neighbor as yourself,” but Christ commands, “Love one another as I have loved you.” He showed His love for His disciples by dying on the Cross for them. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). St. Augustine emphasizes that “Christ’s love renews us, making us new creations, heirs of the New Testament, and singers of the new song. This is the love that renewed the blessed apostles and is now renewing the nations. From the diverse human race that spans the world, it is creating and gathering together a new people—the body of the newly wedded spouse of the only begotten Son of God.”

This agape love inspired the early Christian community to live together in harmony, sharing everything in common (Acts 2:42-46). It drove missionaries to the ends of the earth to proclaim the good news and led many to die as martyrs for the sake of Christ. The apostles experienced God’s love and could not keep it to themselves; instead, they dedicated themselves to teaching and baptizing others, inviting them to share in God’s abundant life and redemptive love (Matthew 28:19). During their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas encouraged the converts: “We must undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” An authentic Christian is not only concerned about their own salvation but is also deeply invested in the salvation of others. Simply giving alms does not embody the virtue of charity. Every Christian has an obligation to be actively involved in Church matters and parish activities that strengthen the faith of fellow members. The early Christians demonstrated their unwavering love by accepting hardships and martyrdom for their faith. We express our love for others through courteous corrections, words of encouragement to those who suffer, and, above all, by praying for them.

Christ calls us to accept and practice His new commandment of love—to love as He loves and to forgive as He forgives us. We must always prioritize others before ourselves. This explains why a woman at the bedside of her unconscious fiancé will not lose hope but pray day and night for a miracle of healing. To love as Christ commands enables mothers, whose children are killed by drunk drivers, to forgive the offenders. They choose the freedom of forgiveness and love over brokenness and grief. Many broken families would not experience strife if their members lived in love. Thousands of men, women, and children in jails, hospitals, and on street corners would not be there if they were cared for by those who should love them. Many poor, hungry, oppressed, and war-affected individuals find themselves in their situations due to a lack of love. Even more shocking, thousands suffer and remain uneducated because their elected leaders are too selfish and corrupt to invest in their education and well-being. Thousands live without Christ and His teachings because we have failed to practice charity.

Love—the distinguishing mark of Jesus’ kingdom—should spring from our hearts. When we love, a ripple effect spreads to families, institutions, countries, and the world. The Book of Revelation anticipates a new city filled with joy, peace, and love. John’s vision can only be realized if we embrace the new commandment of love. Love is the only creative force that can transform the world; it enriches the recipient without impoverishing the giver. Therefore, Mother Teresa urged us to spread love wherever we go, in our families, sharing love with children, spouses, and neighbors.

If there are problems in our families, it may be due to our failure to obey the commandment of love. If our churches are empty, we may have neglected to show love. If issues arise in our schools, workplaces, communities, or nation, it is because, somewhere, someone has forgotten, ignored, or failed to act on the commandment of love. As a result, we have not experienced the new city, our heavenly Jerusalem, here on earth. If Christians were to love as Christ commands, our churches would be filled with the transformed hearts and lives of those who have chosen to live in love.

 

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

May 11, 2025; 4th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Rev. 7:9, 14-17; Jn. 10:27-30

The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life for His Sheep

Today is Vocations Sunday. The Church invites us to pray that young men and women may answer the call of the Good Shepherd and give themselves to God in service as ordained ministers of the word and the sacraments and as religious men and women in consecrated life. We encourage lay participation and collaboration with the clergy to build the kingdom of God in love and service. May we listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, “Who came not to be served but to serve and gave his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45).

Today, we pay tribute to mothers for their contribution to our lives. We thank them for giving birth to us, nurturing us, providing for us both naturally and spiritually, and contributing to making us who we are today. We are grateful not only to our biological mothers but also to those who played the role of mothers, and women like them; the world would be a tough and fearful place for us without their support and love.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel that he is the Good Shepherd. The shepherd has the heart of a mother. He knows her children by name and only thinks of their good and welfare. “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:14-15). By calling himself a good Shepherd, Jesus contrasts himself with other shepherds who are not good. “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep?” You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but you have not pastured the sheep. I will claim my sheep from them and stop their shepherding my sheep so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will look after and tend my sheep.” (Eze. 34:2-10). The leaders of Israel did not look after the children of Israel with the heart of God, the good shepherd. Hence, God snatched the sheep from their care and appointed his dear son to look after his people. As a good shepherd, Jesus loves the sheep of his flock. He prepared a meal for them. He told them, “Come, have breakfast” (Jn. 21:9, 12). He gave them the bread of life, his body, and blood and promised “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (Jn. 6:54). He protected them from danger; “He rebuked the wind and the waves, and they subsided and there was a calm” (Lk. 8:24). Christ is always with the sheep of his flock till the end of time.

There is also a contrast between the good shepherd and the present-day prophets, priests, and preachers. Many prophets and preachers of today are like shepherds of Ezekiel’s time. They only care about themselves and what they can get from their sheep. They preach the prosperity gospel and look for ways to enrich themselves. They extort money from their people in the name of tithes. They build mansions for themselves and buy a fleet of cars, airplanes, and jets in the name of preaching the gospel, while most of their congregants are impoverished. To them also, the good shepherd directs his words of admonition. They must abandon their ways and take care of those entrusted to their care after the heart of the good shepherd.

Christ is our shepherd, and we are the sheep of his flock. We must listen to the voice of the good shepherd. Many discordant voices are competing for our attention today. Sometimes, these voices are so strong that they drown the good shepherd’s voice and mislead us. Jesus gave the power of good leadership to the church and her teaching. We should not choose which teaching to adopt and which to abandon because we do not like it. Following the master may not always be easy. It may lead us to wash our robes white with the blood of the lamb, or we may suffer trying to proclaim him to the ends of the world. We know and believe that the good shepherd will be with us always, till the end of time. He laid down his life for us; nothing will ever separate us from his hands.    

Augustine Etemma Inwang MSP

May 04, 2025; 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year C)

Readings: Acts 5:27-32; Rev. 5:11-14; Jn. 21:1-19

Lord, you know We Love You, but we are weak!

1.      I am convinced that Christ was raised from the dead without a doubt. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “Christ’s resurrection is the fulfillment of the promises, both of the Old Testament and of Jesus Himself during his earthly life. The resurrection of the crucified one shows He was the true ‘I Am,’ the Son of God and God Himself. Christ’s resurrection is closely linked to the Incarnation of God’s Son and is its fulfillment in accordance with God’s eternal plan” (CCC nos. 652, 653).  St. Paul said it better, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith” (1 Cor 15:13-14). On that first Easter Sunday, Peter and his companions experienced the risen Christ as they never expected to, which changed their lives’ trajectory. The spirit of the risen Lord emboldened Peter to stand up to the Sanhedrin and accuse them of being responsible for Christ’s death. “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and Savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We witness these things, as is the Holy Spirit God gave to those who obey Him.” (First reading). This is the same Peter who, a few days ago, could not stand up to a young girl and admit that he knew Jesus.

 

2.      In my opinion, something fascinating about Peter endeared him to Jesus – Peter’s crass humanity makes his person appealing to us. We can identify easily with him. Peter was impetuous. One minute, he confessed the divinity of Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt. 16:16); the next minute, he tried to prevent Jesus from accepting the will of His father, to which he was reprimanded to “Get behind me, Satan.” However, there was an undeniable friendship between Jesus and Peter; the friendship was so strong that just a look from Jesus told Peter that he had betrayed that friendship and hurt their relationship. According to William J. Bausch in ‘Story Telling the Word,’ “The scene of two men in a silent confrontation in the palace courtyard tells us the real meaning of Christianity. When you come right down to it, it is a living relationship with a living Person. It is always and forever the relationship of redeemed human beings with the person of Jesus Christ in faith, trust, forgiveness, and love – in all the ways that one person is bound to another.”

 

3.      In today’s Gospel, Peter is returning to his trade: fishing. His statement, “I am going fishing,” could mean that he was returning to the trade he thought he was good at, or he was simply bored and needed to distract himself from the thought of betraying his friend and the constant reminder of the look of Jesus. Could it mean Peter doubted catching people for the kingdom as Christ commanded him? If he was not adept at fishing, how would he be at catching people? Unfortunately, Peter, in my opinion, was not very good at catching fish. His first encounter with Jesus was when he was on his duty post, trying to catch fish. To the request of Jesus to “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch,” his answer was, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command, I will lower the nets” (Lk. 5:5). For the second time, Jesus met Peter and his companions again during his fishing expedition and enquired: “Children, have you caught anything yet?” “No.” So he told them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat, and you will find something.” (Jn. 21:3-6). When they caught so many fish, John exclaimed, “It is the Lord.” How could they, who caught nothing throughout the night, be so lucky just because a stranger had told them to cast the nets on the other side of the boat? John could recall their last encounter with Jesus when they had worked all night long and caught nothing. Christ had told them what to do before they had their boats filled with fish. It had to be the Lord. Christ showed Peter and his companions that they could do nothing apart from him. He demonstrated to Peter that he (Christ) was better at Peter’s job than Peter himself; hence, Peter should learn another trade with the help of the grand master himself. Many times, we think we know it all. We often try to keep God out of our lives. But Christ tells us, “Apart from me, you can do nothing”. God provides us with the strength, energy, and wisdom we need to do all we do and succeed in them.

 

4.      Whenever we run away from God, he comes in search of us. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you” (Jn. 15:16). Unworthy as we are God chose us as he chose the prophets of old and the Apostles. When they sinned, he forgave them and waited for them to turn back to him.  He shows us the father’s love in the story of the prodigal son (Lk 15). He demonstrates his forgiveness in the story of the woman caught in the act of committing adultery (Jn. 8). He reached out to Peter at the sea of Tiberias, still caring, cooking a meal for his friends, providing fish for their upkeep, giving them encouragement and hope and offering them forgiveness and love. Yes, “It is the Lord”; he is the only one who appears when all hope is gone, refreshes us when water is dried up, and the rain refuses to fall. The Lord brings healing and strength to our failing bodies and restores us to wholeness when we are sick. “What I am sure about tomorrow is that providence will rise before the dawn” because it is the Lord.

 

5.      Jesus knew his friend Peter more than Peter knew himself. He knew Peter loved him, but he wanted him to say it with his mouth. After all, he had told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Lk. 22:31-32). He knew that Satan had put his ugly hands on Peter, and at the moment of weakness, he denied Christ. Christ was back to make it right. Christ asked him three times, ‘Do you love me? “Lord, you know everything; You know that I love you.” Yes, Peter was right; Christ knew everything; he knew that Peter loved him.

 

6.      So, we pray that we may not forget that the Lord stands always at our shores, loving, instructing, watching, and looking out for us. He has a meal prepared for us. When tempted to run away from the Lord, may we not forget our relationship with him. May we have the courage to say, like Peter, Lord, you know everything; you know we love you. Please pray for us as you prayed for Peter, so our faith may not fail. Strengthen us at the moment of our weakness so we may not betray you. Help us to see the look of love in your eyes so that we may weep for our sins and return to you. Amen.   

                                                     Augustine Etemma Inwang MSP

April 27, 2025; 2nd Sunday of Easter - The Divine Mercy Sunday; (Year C)

 2^nd Sunday of Easter – The Divine Mercy Sunday; Year (C) April 27, 2025

Readings: Acts 5:12-16; Rev. 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19; Jn. 20:19-31

The Wonders of the Resurrection of Christ - His Divine Mercy

 Easter is a celebration that encompasses both the sacred and the secular, the celestial and the mundane, faith and doubt, absence and presence. It acknowledges both hate and love, the merciless and the merciful. Ultimately, it is a celebration of God’s mercy towards humanity. Today, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday. St. John Paul II promoted this devotion. On April 30, 2000, during the canonization of Faustina Kowalska, the Pontiff officially designated today as Divine Mercy Sunday.

This devotion is rooted in Sister Faustina’s relationship with Jesus. According to her diary, Faustina received significant promises of grace associated with the devotion of Divine Mercy. One of the most notable promises is that anyone who goes to sacramental confession and receives Holy Communion on this day will obtain total forgiveness of all sins and punishment. In his message on April 22, 2001, a year after establishing Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope John Paul II emphasized, “Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy.” The Church receives this Easter gift from the Risen Christ and offers it to humanity.

Today’s readings highlight God’s mercy in a profound way. Signs and wonders were performed by the apostles, and God’s people were united in mercy and love as they prayed and shared their new life in the Risen Lord. The Lord blessed them with the gift of healing. The healing of those afflicted with sickness and pain brought great joy to the community. The disciples felt broken, yet they were filled with hope. Their testimony of the Risen Lord attracted many to join them. In this community, some denied Christ, many had run away from Him, one was absent from communal prayer, and others had longed for a share in the restored kingdom of Israel. Yet, Christ met them all and wished them peace. There was no condemnation, judgment, malice, or anger—only unconditional love, forgiveness, and mercy. “Come, touch my wounds, and be healed. Doubt no longer; it is I, so do not be afraid.”

There was healing and forgiveness; faith was restored, and Thomas made a profession of faith in the Risen Lord: “My Lord and my God!” This embodies what mercy means: having a heart for those who suffer or being willing to suffer for others. As 1 Peter 2:21 reminds us, “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.” But that is not all. Christ bestowed the Spirit on His apostles and entrusted them with the power to forgive sins. We experience God’s mercy more fully when we humble ourselves and approach Him in the sacrament of reconciliation and penance. It is there that we meet the God of mercy and love, a God of forgiveness, who declared through Ezekiel the prophet: “As I live, says the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, but rather in the wicked man’s conversion, that he may live” (Ezekiel 33:11). When God forgives, He forgets; He does not keep a record of sins: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).

With God’s mercy, we are assured that good always triumphs over evil, life is stronger than death, and God’s mercy and love are more powerful than our sins. In the Paschal mystery we celebrate, God our Father reveals Himself as a tender-hearted Father who does not give up in the face of His children’s ingratitude and is always willing to forgive. As Paul reminds us, “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that as sin reigned in death, grace might also reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21-22). We experience God’s mercy prominently in the story of the prodigal son and the merciful Father (Luke 15:11-32), who waits with compassion and forgiveness, regardless of our sins and transgressions. His love for us is boundless.

The opening prayer addresses the Father as the “God of everlasting mercy,” and the psalm reminds us repeatedly, “His steadfast love endures forever.” These readings exemplify God’s mercy in action. We are called to share what we have with others, feed the hungry, fight injustice, stand up for the truth, and recognize that God’s mercy is everlasting. When we see ourselves as unworthy recipients of God’s mercy and love, we realize that true mercy stems not from human effort but from God’s free gift to humanity.

Today, the Church invites us to experience God’s mercy, especially if we want to forgive others. In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The cycle of hatred and violence staining many individuals and nations around the world can only be broken and healed through the miracle of forgiveness and mercy. God’s mercy is His response to a broken world and a humanity driven by an insatiable hunger for power. Let us continue to seek and spread this divine mercy. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

April 20, 2025; Easter Sunday (Year C)

Readings: Acts 10:44, 37-43; Col 3:1-4; Lk. 24:1-12

Christ’s Resurrection is Our Life

1.       On this day of the resurrection, we recall the words of Jesus: “That he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Mt.16:21). It was strange to the apostles then, but now they believe him. Christ has indeed risen. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that: “To be a witness of Christ is to be a “witness to his Resurrection,” to “have eaten and drunk with him after he rose from the dead.” Encounters with the risen Christ characterize the Christian hope of resurrection. We shall rise like Christ, with him, and through him.” (CCC. 995). God will raise our mortal bodies and make them like his own in glory when we die.

2.       The resurrection of Christ demonstrates that we are Easter people living in a Good Friday world. The activity of Good Friday is still very much with us. We are broken, weak, short-tempered, stubborn, and angry; we backbite and betray our friends. The resurrection of Christ assures us that God loves us and that Christ has conquered our weaknesses and death. Yes, for every Good Friday, there is Easter Sunday. To every failure, there is strength in the risen Lord. Every hurt and wrongdoing we forgive is proof of the resurrection. We attest to our faith in the risen Lord when we give to charity or console the bereaved, show compassion and mercy, visit the sick, and be kind to the downtrodden. We may be weak, but our risen Lord is strong. We are Easter people, so we must sing alleluia to God. According to St. Paul, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1). Because He lives, we can see tomorrow! “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him to bring all things into subjection to himself.” (Philippians 3:21). The resurrection changed the apostles; it can also change us if we believe in Christ. The resurrection of Christ is an invitation for us to share in his life. Let us rejoice that Christ is risen. Amen

                                      Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

April 13, 2025; Palm Sunday (Year C)

Readings: Is. 50:4-7; Phil. 2:6-11; Lk. 22:14-23:56

Palm Sunday

1. Today is Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week, a time filled with activities that culminate in the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Palm Sunday was both a joyful, triumphant occasion and a day of turmoil for Jesus. As He entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, He was given a red-carpet reception. In various cultures, palm branches have traditionally been used to welcome royalty, symbolizing victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life. Therefore, Christ was celebrated as a victorious king in Jerusalem. Rather than riding a horse, which symbolizes war, Jesus chose a donkey, signifying peace and humility—the true hallmark of the king of peace. Notably, He rode a donkey that had never been sat upon, highlighting His royal status.

2.     As the Jews surrounded Him, they recalled the words of the Prophet Zechariah from 500 years earlier: “Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; a just Savior is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem” (Zechariah 9:9-10). Pope Benedict XVI interpreted these words to illustrate that Jesus is a king who embraces peace and simplicity—not one who incites violence or leads a military revolt against Rome (Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week, Ignatius Press, 2011, pp. 81-82). People came out to welcome King Jesus, proclaiming, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

3.     The passion narrative showcases various responses to Jesus. Judas Iscariot betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, and the other apostles fled in fear. The crowd expressed mixed feelings about Jesus, and false witnesses rose against Him. The scribes and Pharisees demanded His execution. Pilate condemned Him not only to a painful death on the cross but also subjected Him to humiliation by having Him flogged. While some women cried for Him, others despised and mocked Him. Holy Week was a time of great suffering for Jesus, who endured it for our sake. The joyous cry of “Hosanna to the Son of David” turned to shouts of “Away with Him, crucify Him.” Yet, Jesus rode into Jerusalem filled with love and forgiveness, even praying for His torturers. As St. Paul reminds us, “For our sake he (God) made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (second reading). Jesus reminds us, “Greater love than this no man has, that a man should lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

4.     Even among the hostility, there were acts of kindness shown to Jesus. Simon helped him carry the cross, Veronica wiped His face, and the women of Jerusalem wept for Him. One soldier offered Him wine—albeit vinegar—when He was thirsty. His mother and other women remained at the foot of the cross, and Joseph of Arimathea offered his new tomb for His burial. What would you have done for Him if you were there? You can still do something for Him now. Remember, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Which character reflects your relationship with Jesus? Are you with Him or against Him?

5.     Following His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Christ gathered His apostles for a farewell meal, the first Eucharist, instituting the sacred priesthood. This act embodied brotherly love and included the new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:13). This celebration occurs on Holy Thursday during the Mass of the Last Supper. On Good Friday, we venerate the Cross of our salvation. Jesus says, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw everyone to myself” (John 12:32). As the Lenten hymn reminds us, “O Cross of Christ, immortal tree, on which our Savior died, the world is sheltered by your arms that bore the Crucified.” On Holy Saturday, we await at the tomb of Jesus in anticipation of Easter Sunday, when we will celebrate His resurrection. “O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!” (Exultet).

6.     Are we ready to reciprocate Christ’s love by committing ourselves to this week of grace? Let us express our gratitude to Christ for His love. As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, we look forward with joy to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and our freedom from sin and death. Amen!

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

April 06, 2025, 5th Sunday of Lent (Year C)

                                                 Readings: Is. 43:16-12; Phil. 3:8-14; Jn. 8:1-11

License to Kill

1.    Once again, there is a confrontation between Jesus, the scribes, and the Pharisees—the self-righteous, law-abiding, faultfinding, know-it-all, holier-than-thou, pious, hypocritical, and moralizing scribes and Pharisees! In the Gospel, they brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, stones in hand, demanding permission to stone her to death. Interestingly, her accomplice was not mentioned; they had only captured the woman. Since she broke the law, they insisted she must pay for it with her life.

2.    Jesus, who always taught his disciples to forgive and show mercy, even to sinners, found himself caught between two extremes: the righteous bigots and a poor sinner. Should he go against his teaching on mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, or side with the law and condemn the woman to death? Siding with the law would deny her the chance to repent. But as God is a God of second chances, Jesus stands with the oppressed, the poor, the disenfranchised, sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors, the forgotten, the voiceless, the hopeless, and the nobodies. He reminded us, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Again, he said, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus came for the last, the least, and the lost. His middle name is mercy, and his mission is to preach compassion and forgiveness.

3.    We become a new creation each time we forgive others. “See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19). God brought the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through the desert, leading them to walk through the waters dry-shod into the promised land. He saved them because he loved them and was never tired of forgiving them. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare, not for woe—plans to give you a future full of hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

4.    Paul understood God’s immeasurable love for him, so he considered everything a loss compared to the supreme goodness of knowing Christ Jesus. Having been forgiven, Paul began to preach the message of reconciliation. We are forgiven to serve! The sinful woman who was forgiven in the Gospel dedicated her life to serving God. She became a disciple of Jesus from that day until the day of Christ’s burial. No wonder she was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection. When we are forgiven, we are liberated and sent on a mission as ambassadors of forgiveness. This is indeed something new! God has made something new of us; can we perceive it?

5.    Today’s liturgy encourages us to approach the throne of grace and seek forgiveness for our sins. We must be humble and go to confession to be part of the new thing that God is doing. Yes! Jesus granted permission to the men standing with their stones to execute the woman, but only if they were without sin. Were any of them worthy of casting the first stone? Not one! Why? Because they were sinners just like her.

6.    Do you think you have no sins? If you recognize yourself as a sinner, why not go to confession? When was the last time you went to confession? If it were two, five, or seven years ago, Jesus invites you: “Come back to me with all your heart; don’t let fear keep us apart. Trees do bend, though straight and tall; so must we to others’ call. Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new lives” (Song by John Michael Talbot).

7.    Come, taste, and see the goodness of the Lord. Come to Christ and drink deeply from the abundance of his love and mercy. His love conquers all your sins. His forgiveness will transform your selfishness into selflessness, your unforgiving heart into a humble and forgiving one, and your pride into humility. He will give you the joy of the Gospel and help you to perceive the new thing He is doing in your life. What are you waiting for? Come, He is waiting!!

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

March 30, 2025, 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Readings: Joshua 5:9, 10-12; 2Cor. 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

We are Ambassadors of Reconciliation

In today’s reading, St. Paul writes: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So, we are ambassadors for Christ.” An ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign nation. And so, St. Paul said “Our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is; and we are looking forward to his return from there” (Phil. 3:20). We are representatives of our homeland on a mission to represent God as ambassadors. As we live and interact with fellow travelers, we often stray from the statutes and ordinances of our homeland. We must return to the right path, and we do this through reconciliation. We will enjoy the goodness of the Lord (as expressed in the Psalm) if we live a reconciled life. When we embody reconciliation and forgiveness, God removes the shame and reproach from our lives, just as He did with the children of Israel when they returned from Egypt (First Reading) and restored their lost dignity.

Today’s Gospel celebrates reconciliation through the story of the merciful father restoring the prodigal son’s lost identity and destiny. The son may have squandered his inheritance but never lost his heritage. The father offered him unconditional love and forgiveness, focusing not on his sin but on their reunification. When the son came to his senses, he acknowledged his faults, accepted his mistakes, and resolved to change. To “come to our senses” means recognizing our errors and deciding to act differently. The father waited for his son’s return, filled only with love and without a grudge or anger. He did not condemn him but embraced him with love. Jesus instructs us to be like the merciful Father: “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48).

Forgiveness is a choice we make after hours of prayer and soul-searching. It is a choice against anger, hurt, pride, doubt, bitterness, cynicism, apathy, suspicion, self-righteousness, harboring grudges, and the irrational need for revenge. It is a decision to let go and let God, an option for liberation and freedom. True forgiveness cannot occur without prayer. Like the prodigal son, we have wandered away from God’s love and mercy and have often chosen to distance ourselves from Him. One way to demonstrate our reconciliation with God, the Church, and others is through the sacrament of reconciliation. “The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others. Through such an admission, man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible.” (CCC 1455). During Lent, we are encouraged to go to confession, do penance, and return to God and His Church. Confession is available here in the Church on Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent and on Saturdays from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm before Mass.

Many of us have left our Father’s house after demanding our share of the inheritance. Some came for baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or marriage. Once they received what they desired, they departed, like the prodigal son, and stopped attending Church. Some may only return when facing difficulties; as the saying goes, “The grass is greener on the other side of the mountain until you get there.” We must continually change our minds and return to the merciful Father, who is abundant in mercy and compassion.

At times, we resemble the righteous brother who refused to forgive his sibling and resented their father for doing so. He was envious and failed to understand that the father’s love was not earned; it was pure grace. Like him, we can notice the splinter in our brother’s eye while ignoring the beam in our own (Lk. 6:41). We often volunteer to point out the sins of others. Many faithful Catholics are filled with doubt and fear concerning God. We are insecure about ourselves and usually question our trust in Him, fearing His punishment rather than believing in His love.

Lacking experience of what others endure, we may judge and label them as sinners. We are worried about being discovered and having our own sins exposed. Hidden sins such as jealousy, pride, and self-centeredness may control our days and undermine our lives. We, too, must change our minds and embrace God’s love. Will the brother ever forgive the other, like their father, and join in celebrating his brother’s return? Our attitude toward those we perceive as enemies and our reluctance to forgive may reflect the mindset of the righteous brother. Today’s liturgy encourages us to be like the merciful father—slow to judge but quick to forgive. To err is human, but to forgive is divine. It is better to be lost than to remain unforgiving.                             

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

March 23, 2025; 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Readings: Ex. 3:1-8; 1Cor. 10:1-6; Lk 13:1-9

 

Lent is A Time To Change Our Minds

1.    There is a story about a man named Bill, a prominent contractor. Over time, the pressures of his business led him to turn to alcohol. Before long, he separated from his family, and his company went bankrupt. One day, while walking down the street, Bill happened to look down and saw a bent, rusty nail on the sidewalk. He thought to himself, “That nail is a perfect picture of me. I’m rusty and bent out of shape, too. I’m good for nothing but to be thrown away, just like that nail.” Bill stooped down, picked up the nail, and put it in his pocket.

 

2.    When he got home, he took a hammer and began to straighten the nail. Then he used sandpaper to remove the rust. Afterward, he placed the restored nail alongside a new one and could hardly tell the difference between the two. A thought flashed through Bill’s mind: his life could be straightened out and cleaned up just like the nail. But he knew it wouldn’t be easy. Could he endure the hard blows and sanding? He decided to try. Today, Bill is reunited with his family and has returned to the construction business. He owes everything to that old, rusty, bent nail he found on the sidewalk at just the right time. To this day, he keeps the restored nail in his wallet.

 

3.    Today’s liturgy reminds us that our God is a God who gives a second chance to His children. In revealing His name to Moses, He assured the children of Israel that He is the God of the living; He is always present and accessible to His people. He is “The Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity” (Ex. 34:5-7). In the first reading, God revealed His name as ‘Yahweh,’ translated as ‘I am who am.’ He said, “This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” According to the Psalmist, “The Lord is kind and merciful.” God, the great I Am, is a merciful God. He loves us so much that He doesn’t judge us as we deserve; instead, He gives us a second chance when we fail, allowing us to come back to our senses and return to Him. His mercy is not merely a concept but a transformative power that can straighten and cleanse our lives, just like the nail in Bill’s story.

 

4.    Jesus encourages us in the Gospel to take advantage of the many opportunities God has given us to change our minds. Those who died in tragic circumstances were not necessarily worse sinners. Their deaths should prompt us to repent and believe the Gospel. This is what we promised on the day of our Baptism: to reject Satan and all his works and to believe in God. Through the natural and political disasters of His time, Jesus illustrated the fragility of life and called for a life of repentance. He uses the story of the gardener to highlight God’s patience and offers us precious opportunities to be saved: “Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you can cut it down” (Lk. 13:8).

 

5.    The call to repentance is not solely an invitation to turn away from our sinful ways; it also calls us to produce the fruits of good living and holiness. God’s mercy is infinite, but we are finite beings. We do not have eternity to change our minds. “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps. 95:7-11). If we fail to bear fruit, we should heed the warning: “For three years now, I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?” (Lk. 13:7). This image of the unproductive fig tree illustrates how it drains resources and deprives other productive trees of nourishment. It must be cut down so that others can thrive and be nourished. This emphasizes our role in nurturing others; if we are not enriching the lives of those around us, we are taking away from them. We must be givers, nurturing and enriching the lives of others.

 

6.    Repentance means a change of heart, attitude, and mind. It is not just a suggestion but essential for our spiritual growth. We can change our minds in both small and big ways. We can shift from being inactive to active, from not praying to praying, from being uncharitable to charitable, from being sinful to sinless, from being unmerciful to merciful, from neglecting to attend Mass regularly to making it a priority, and from not bringing our children to church to ensuring they are with us. Lent is not just about receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday and palms on Palm Sunday. It is not only about fasting, abstaining from meat, and eating fish on Fridays. It encompasses all of this and more. It provides us a golden opportunity to change our minds, repent, and turn back to God.

 

7.    At various points in our lives, we have been like the fig tree, in danger of being ejected and rejected as useless. But God’s mercy, the Great ‘I Am,’ took pity on us and granted us a second chance. Like Bill, we must be grateful to God for His mercy and our second chance.  Let us receive God's mercy and stop complaining about the misfortunes of our lives, for Christ made it clear that accidents and sickness are not punishment for sins but a great opportunity to repent and change our minds. As God gives us a second chance, we must also give a second chance to others and help them grow in love, hope, and trust. May we see the bigger picture of God's plan in our lives and worship him in spirit and truth! Amen.

March 16, 2025; 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Readings: Gn. 15:5-12, 17-18; Phil 3:20-4:1; Lk 9:28-36

“This is my Chosen; Listen to Him.”

1.     In the first reading, God initiates a covenant with Abram, putting His life on the line and promising to make Abram’s descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Despite being old and seeing no immediate fulfillment of this promise, Abram places his faith in God, trusting that He will remain faithful to His word.

 

2.     In the Gospel, Jesus is transfigured on the mountain during prayer. Like God, He commits His life to saving His people. The transfiguration signifies the new life we can have with God. Just as God promised the children of Israel a land flowing with milk and honey, Jesus, the new Adam, will guide us to a life of everlasting happiness in heaven. At the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus about His impending death (his Exodus) and its purpose in saving humanity. ‘Exodus’ means to remind us of the Israelites’ flight from Egypt. Through His death and resurrection, our lives will be transformed; our pain will turn to joy, and death will give way to life, with Christ reigning in us forever. Jesus will lead a new exodus – liberating not only Israel but every race and people, not from bondage to Pharaoh but from slavery to sin and death. He will lead all mankind, not to the territory promised to Abraham in today’s first reading, but to the heavenly commonwealth that is described in today’s Epistle. Moses, the giver of God’s law, and the great prophet Elijah were the only Old Testament figures to hear the voice and see the glory of God on top of a mountain (Exodus 24:15-18;1 King 19:8-18).    

 

3.     However, we must first follow the example of Christ. His transfiguration was preceded by prayer. To pray is to change; to be transformed further requires sincere and frequent prayer. We connect with God in prayer by lifting our minds and hearts to Him, constantly praising and adoring Him. During prayer, we seek God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness for our sins. We pray because we desire to be in communion with God. Without communication with Him, we may find ourselves “running well but off the road.” Through prayer, God establishes a covenant of love with us, transforms our appearances, and clothes us in a dazzling white garment, preparing us for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

 

4.     When we pray, we listen to Jesus. “Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my chosen Son; listen to Him.’” God the Father invites us to heed Jesus. This is what He desires from us: “You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Jesus teaches us to forgive those who have wronged us, love our enemies, and do good to those who hate us. He encourages us to give to everyone who asks of us and to treat others as we would like to be treated. Christ urges us to stop judging and condemning others, to share what we have, and to treat everyone with the same unconditional love that God shows us (Luke 6:27-42). We can fulfill these teachings only through prayer, which brings us into the presence of God and effects change in our lives.

 

5.     When we pray, God transforms our appearances and our relationships, making it possible to forgive those who have hurt us. Prayer inspires holy thoughts, allowing us to echo Peter’s sentiment: “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” The “here” that Peter longed for was to be at home with God. Jesus will transform our lives, making them like His in glory. May it be so now and always! Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

March 09, 2025; First Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Readings: Dt. 26:4-10; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13

Temptation Builds Character

1.    Wole Soyinka, the Nigerian Nobel Laureate, was once asked about his New Year’s resolution. He stated that he planned to spend more time alone, taking long walks in the fields, appreciating nature, and spending less time with others. He expressed that the more time he spent with others, the less he felt like himself. This sentiment resonates with many people throughout history. We deeply desire to embark on an inward journey to discover our true selves. However, this journey can reveal unsettling truths about who we are, and temptations often arise. 

2.    Today, we begin Jesus’s inward journey with him as he seeks to understand himself and his mission. After his baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus was filled with the overwhelming love of his Father. The scripture states, “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened. He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:16-17).

3.    The first Sunday of Lent introduces us to the temptations of Jesus. Scripture tells us, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (Matt. 4:1). Life is filled with highs and lows; at times, we feel invincible, while at other moments, we may feel defeated. There are days when we find consolation in prayer and others when we experience profound desolation. The Christian Life is never static. Many saints encountered ‘the dark night of the soul’ in their relationship with God. In moments when we feel close to God, our possibilities seem limitless. Yet, during other times, God feels distant, and we may feel our efforts are in vain, our prayers empty, and our deserts parched. During these times of desolation, we are particularly vulnerable to temptation. 

4.    The devil tempted Jesus to use his power to turn stones into bread when hungry. He was also enticed to worship Satan in exchange for wealth (position) and urged to demonstrate his miraculous powers for the crowd’s applause (prestige). These temptations sought to make Jesus powerful and bring glory to himself. However, Jesus trusted his Father and rejected the devil’s offerings, demonstrating that all power belongs to God. His mission was to fulfill his Father’s will, not his desires.

5.    The devil often targets us at our weakest points: when we are sick, hungry, unemployed, impoverished, or longing for companionship. Jesus teaches us that we can only resist Satan by submitting to God. We must remain steadfast during both good and bad, for as St. Paul reminds us, “All things work for the good of those who love the Lord” (Rom 8:28, 31). In times of desolation, God holds our hand and guides us. Therefore, we must be prayerful, and reading the Bible will help us understand how to respond to temptation. Tough times do not last, but tough people do.

6.    Lent is founded on a three-legged prayer, fasting, and almsgiving stool. Fasting and almsgiving strengthen us spiritually to combat the devil. Christ went into the desert to fast and pray for the strength to confront the powers of this world. St. Paul reminds us, “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, powers, and rulers of this present darkness, and with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Eph. 6:12-13). Thus, we must join Jesus in the desert during the 40 days of Lent. Let us pray with him for the strength to stand against the devil. Just as Christ surrendered to God’s will and armed himself with God’s word, we must do the same. Armed with prayer and scripture, He countered Satan: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God,” and again, “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” Finally, He commanded, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship, and Him alone shall you serve” (Mt. 4:4, 7, 10).

7.    We often succumb to temptation because we fail to fortify ourselves. Lent gives us a golden opportunity to engage in this battle against temptation. We must give alms, fast, and pray if we wish to confront the challenges in our lives. Temptation builds character and makes us stronger. May we learn humility, forgiveness, compassion, and mercy. Let us earnestly approach this season of grace with commitment and a sincere desire for change. Please take a moment to read Psalm 51 as you pray for strength this week. Be blessed. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP