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

March 02, 2025; 8th Sunday in the Ordinary Time (Year C)

                                 Readings: Sirach 27: 4-7; 1 Cor. 15:54-58; Lk 6:39-45

A Tree is Known by Its Fruit!

Have you ever followed someone expecting to be directed to a destination, but the person stopped and said, “Don’t follow me; I am lost?” This would be embarrassing and unfortunate indeed! Today’s Gospel exhorts us not to follow people who do not know where they are going. “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit.” Yet Jesus invites us to follow him. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt. 11:29). In another place, he says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn. 14:6).

We have often deviated from the path to eternal life by our actions and yet take it upon ourselves to be a guide, a yardstick, and a standard of moral rectitude to others. Why don’t we correct the ills in ourselves first? We have sometimes ignored the plank in our eyes while attempting to remove a splinter in our neighbor’s eyes. Haven’t we pointed accusing fingers at others while forgetting that some of those fingers are accusingly pointing directly at us?

Last Sunday’s readings encouraged us to exercise restraint in our dealings with others as we saw David with Saul, who was out to kill him (1 Sam. 26:2-23). Today, we are urged to exercise restraint in the way we use our tongues. Do not be eager to speak, correct, and condemn others while ignoring the same ills in yourself. None of us is so perfect and without fault that we should hurry to correct others. We are not without fault hence we should be patient and not be hasty in condemning or criticizing others. Check your intentions before pointing out the faults of others. Is my correction done out of love and to build up my neighbor, or is it to tear them down and humiliate them in the process?

Christ reminds us that a good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit; what is the effect of your words of correction on others? Has it improved their character or caused anger and humiliation? As we look forward to the season of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, let us be prepared to take stock of our lives as we enter the desert of prayer, fasting, and penance with Christ.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, Son of the living God, you who did not open your mouth before Pilate, do not allow me to open my mouth when I do not know what to say and how to say it. Amen.

                                                Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

February 23, 2025; 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Year C)

Readings: 1 Sam. 26:2, 7-9; 1 Cor. 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38

How Do You Treat Those Who Hate You?

Today’s readings deal with forgiveness, hatred, revenge, rancor, hurt, and stressful relationships. It is very easy to love those who love us, our friends, and those we are well disposed towards. But does that make us Christians? We would not be different from the pagans, sinners, heathens, and those who do not know God. Christianity calls us to be different, to stand out, and to act in ways that are opposite to the norm and the expected. By doing things differently, we can show the world that we are followers of Christ. In the first reading, David demonstrated this Christ-like attitude in the way he treated Saul, who was out to kill him. David had Saul, his archenemy, at his fingertip and would have killed him without anyone knowing: Saul’s guards were all asleep. But David would not do it. He respected the image of God in Saul and spared his life. In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorts the crowd to love their enemies and pray for those persecuting them. He gave us a reason why we should behave this way: “…that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Mt 5:44-48.

Soren Kierkegaard admonished, “Never cease loving a person, and never give up hope for him, for even the prodigal son, who had fallen most low, could still be saved. The bitterest enemy and he who was your friend could again be your friend; love that has grown cold can kindle again.” We know that we have been hurt many times, but do not forget that you have hurt people many times too. If we ask God for forgiveness and mercy, the more reason we should extend the same to others. Christ was quick to remind us, “So will my heavenly Father do to you unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart,” Mt. 18:35. Thomas Fuller was right when he observed: “He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself: for every man has need to be forgiven.”

To forgive and do good to those who hate us is very difficult indeed if we were to do it on our own. But we have the Christ who prayed for those who killed him on the cross as our leader and guide. If we go to him for help, he will surely assist us. God will always be with us if we trust him and go to him for help to forgive those who hurt us. And you will truly be rewarded with happiness and peace each time you dare to forgive those who hurt you and pray for them.

Let our prayer this week be: Lord Jesus, you who treated your enemies with love, and prayed for those who nailed you to the cross, teach me to forgive those who hate me and speak ill of me behind my back. Give me the courage and strength I need to love and pray for them. May I never be mean to people who are mean to me but let me treat them with love and respect today and always. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.