August 03, 2025; 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Eccl. 1:2; 2:21-23; Col 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk 12:13-21

In His Riches Man Lacks Wisdom!

Today’s readings address the rich and those who pursue wealth as their only reason to exist on earth. Vanity of vanities, all things are vanity. Vain persons are excessively proud in their admiration of their appearances or achievements, often to the point of being conceited. They have an inflated sense of self-importance and tend to exhibit feelings of superiority. Vanity refers to the quality of being worthless or futile. The Preacher in the first reading urges us to reflect on the futility, uselessness, pointlessness, and fruitlessness of life when the sole aim is to amass wealth. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mk. 8:36). No matter how rich we may be and how contented our achievements may make us feel, a day will come when we leave it all to others.

The second reading offers us a solution to a life of vanity. It exhorts us to set our hearts on the next life, where we hope to behold the face of God. “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-4). We may be whatever we want and achieve whatever we dream, but we must not lose sight of the reason for our existence. The Penny Catechism reminds us that we were created to know, love, and serve God in this world so that we may be happy with Him in the next. Therefore, we must put to death immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. We must stop lying and be sincere and honest in our dealings with one another. (Cf. Col. 3:5-17).

In the Gospel, Jesus warns against inordinate greed and lust for material things that have blinded many people, turning them into narcissistic, arrogant, selfish, conceited, self-important, opinionated, egotistic, and superior individuals. They appear admirable to themselves and their close associates, but they are often viewed as despicable and intolerable by others. Their focus is entirely on themselves, and everything centers around their interests. “I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods, and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!” (Lk. 12:18-19). Yet Christ warns: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Lk. 12:15). How much is enough for the rich of this world? Why can’t they heed the wisdom of Job: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there.” (Job 1:21). How have you used your wealth to store up riches for yourselves so that you may be rich in what matters to God? Christ admonishes: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” (Mt. 6:19-21). To do this properly, you must share what you have with those in need. Remember, you are merely a steward of your wealth. In giving to others, you give to God, and your treasures are stored up for you in heaven.

These readings affirm that we brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out of it.  “Those who trust in their wealth and boast of the vastness of their riches should know that no man buys his own ransom or pays a price to God for his life. He cannot buy life without end, nor avoid coming to the grave. He knows that wise men and fools must both perish and must leave their wealth to others” (Ps. 49).

A story that captures the essence of today’s readings is that of Alexander the Great. As emperor of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, he led numerous military campaigns and established one of the largest empires in history, spanning from Greece to India, all before the age of 30. On his deathbed, he reflected on the vast empire he had built and the spoils of war he had accumulated. He descended into depression, realizing that nothing was worth it; even after a life filled with success, he could not avoid death. He wished for one last meeting with his mother, but understood that this was not possible. Therefore, he summoned his loyal generals and made three last wishes before he died. “I have three last wishes; please carry them out, for I will soon depart. My first wish is that my doctors should carry my coffin alone. My second wish is that the path to my grave should be strewn with gold, silver, and all the precious possessions in my treasury as my body is brought for burial. My third and final wish is that both my hands should be left hanging out of my coffin.”

The Generals, who were startled by the three wishes, asked Alexander about the strange wishes. Alexander told them, “I want my doctors to carry my coffin to let all know that no doctor can cure anybody. They are powerless and cannot save a person from death. The strewn gold, silver, and other precious stones on the way to the graveyard, to let the people know that though I spent all my life accumulating riches, not even a grain of gold will come with me when I leave this world. It is a sheer waste of time, energy, and peace of mind when one yearns to be rich. Having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I want people to know that I came empty-handed into this world and likewise will go empty-handed from this world.

Alexander wanted to teach the rest of the world that earthly possessions are not worth it, and one must not crave them. We came empty-handed and will die empty-handed. What else can I say! In his riches, man lacks wisdom; he is like the beasts that are destroyed. “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” May we be wise with how we use material things so that God may welcome us into his dwelling to join Him in glory! Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

July 20, 2025; 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Gen 18:1-10; Col 1:24-28; Lk 10:38-42

Prayer and Hospitality are not mutually exclusive!

  Last Sunday, we reflected on the story of the Good Samaritan. The parable was prompted by a question by the teacher of the law to Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” The lawyer’s answer was “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus told him, “Do this and you will live”. Since the parable of the Good Samaritan emphasizes love of neighbor, today’s readings highlight the love of “the Lord, your God”. God must always be first in our lives, and we owe God adoration, loyalty, and worship. Prayer in all its ramifications is a must for all Christians, and nothing should take the place of giving God his due, our time, our talent, our treasure, and our all.

In the first reading, Abraham showed hospitality to strangers. He offered them a place to rest and a meal to provide them with strength to continue their journey. His kindness and hospitality did not go unrewarded. God promised his wife a child: “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son” (Gen. 18:10). God revealed to Abraham that he was on his way to Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy them due to their iniquities. This allowed Abraham to intercede on behalf of Lot, his nephew, for the land. God comes to us in many ways every day as a beggar on the street corner, a stranger in need of shelter, immigrants running away from starvation and oppressive and repressive government, the rich in need of a friend, or the lonely in need of consolation and love. Like Abraham, Mary, and Martha, we must reach out to them, for in helping them, we assist God himself. “So long as you did it for the least of my people, you did it for me” (Mt. 25:40). When we give God our time in prayer and respond in generosity and hospitality to Him, God takes us into confidence and provides for us beyond our wildest dreams. Spending time in prayer is not a waste of time, but a time well spent, freed to do things well with our power, strength, blessings, and integrity. Prayer, according to St. Therese of Lisieux, “Is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and love, embracing both trial and joy”. Do not ever say you are too busy to pray.

Jesus is not condemning Martha for taking care of his physical needs, but Martha’s attitude in doing so. She allowed herself to be anxious, worried, and distracted by her serving to the point of feeling that what she did was far more important than Mary’s. “Stop worrying, then, over questions like, ‘What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear’? The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given to you besides. Enough, then, of worrying about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Today has troubles enough of its own” (Mt. 6:31-34). Christ is telling us that we can be both Martha and Mary without sacrificing one for the other. Lydia made the right combination, responding like both Mary and Martha. First, she “listened” to the Gospel message preached by Paul and then offered hospitality to him and his companions (Acts 16:14-15).

To be truly hospitable, we must have clarity of action, and that clarity can only come through prayer. Prayer enables us to attune to the spirit of God, to contemplate his blessings, and to recognize that in giving to those in need, be it our time, our talent, or treasure, we reciprocate God’s hospitality and kindness to us. In practicing hospitality, we recognize that we are only stewards of what we have been gifted. Praying like Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to Him, helps us recognize first in our hearts the Jesus that we must serve in the poor. Yes, we are urged to be both Mary and Martha, for it is in praying like Mary and serving like Martha that our life will truly be complete.

Today’s Gospel also reminds us, according to John Rose, that “Substitution of our daily duties and responsibilities with religious activities is not commendable. A father of a family, who instead of working and earning for the family, spends needless time in the church, is to be discouraged”. Similarly, a mother who spends all her time in church praying to the detriment of her family should be reprimanded. Prayer, religious and social activities are good and highly encouraged on their own, but the family and the good of the children should not be sacrificed on their altars. There is always time for Mary and time for Martha. We can be both, and we should strive to be both. Prayer and work must be combined in a healthy way to strike a balance in our lives. We must learn to discharge our social responsibility with equanimity, and at the same time, we must make the time to sit at the feet of Jesus to learn from him how to be meek and gentle of heart. May Christ, the good teacher, teach us to find peace and balance in our lives, free from anxiety, worries, and distraction. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

July 13, 2025; 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readings: Deut. 30:10-14; Col. 1:15-20; Lk. 10: 25-37.

Be a Good Samaritan!

The command “Go and do likewise” was given by Christ at the end of this morning’s Gospel reading. It was directed at the teacher of the law and means ‘go and love, even your enemies, and be kind to those you encounter on the journey of life.’ Christ used the story of the Good Samaritan, who showed kindness to someone he did not know, as an example in His parable.

This raises questions: Why did Christ refer to the man from Samaria as ‘good’? What was the nature of the acrimonious, rancorous, and malicious relationship that spurred so much animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans? The Jews felt very uncomfortable mentioning the Samaritans, and the feeling was mutual. Why? A brief history helps clarify these questions. The Samaritans descended from the Israelites of the northern tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, two of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was also known as Israel. Jacob’s twelve sons were Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim, and Manasseh, which formed the twelve tribes of Israel. According to Pablo T. Gadenz in his commentary on ‘The Gospel of Luke,’ Jews regarded the Samaritans as having doubtful lineage due to intermarriage with Gentile peoples who the Assyrians brought in after they conquered the northern kingdom in 721 B.C. and sent some Israelites into exile (2 Kings 17:6-24; 2 Chron 30:6-11).

In addition to these ethnic tensions, a long-standing religious divide existed because the Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim rather than at the Jerusalem Temple (John 4:20). Around 111 B.C., the Hasmonean Jewish ruler John Hyrcanus destroyed the Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim. Later, under the Roman Prefect Coponius (A.D. 6-9), some Samaritans retaliated by scattering human bones in the Jerusalem temple during Passover, thus defiling it. Furthermore, during the tenure of Cumanus as Roman procurator (A.D. 48-52), Samaritans from the border village of Ginae killed a group of Galileans who were passing through Samaria on their way to Jerusalem for a feast. This then explains the animosity and hatred between these two groups, who were, in essence, brothers from the same family, yet unable to rise above their tribal sentiments.

In contrast, Jesus tirelessly sought to forge a truce between the two factions. To answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, who took care of a man, beaten and left half dead on a perilous road. The priest and the Levite could not help the man for fear of becoming defiled, whereas the Samaritan bravely approached, spent his time and money, and offered his donkey to transport the man. He even lodged him in an inn and promised to return to check on his well-being. The lawyer who recognized the Samaritan (as the one who showed mercy) as the man’s neighbor was instructed to “Go and do likewise.”

The first reading encourages us to follow this command by heeding the voice of the Lord, keeping His commandments and statutes as outlined in the book of the law. It reminds us that this commandment is inscribed in our hearts, readily accessible. We do not need a teacher to show us how to love, forgive, and be human. The second reading urges us to see in Jesus Christ the image of the invisible God. If God is our Father and Jesus Christ our brother, we must treat everyone as brothers and sisters. Everyone is our neighbor, regardless of ethnic background, creed, color, or language. No one should be considered a stranger on Mother Earth, as God’s blessings are abundant for all if we only cultivate love in our hearts.

A neighbor is anyone who shows concern, mercy, and compassion to those in need, regardless of their material, social, ethnic, or racial status. Such a person embodies universal love and acceptance; they may be uneducated or educated, an immigrant or a native-born citizen, a Republican or a Democrat, religious, agnostic, or atheist. By demonstrating love for all individuals, they reflect love for both God and humanity, serving as a model for all Christians.

The Good Samaritan showed mercy through his care for the wounded man. Catholic tradition emphasizes these corporal works of mercy, which include feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, and visiting the imprisoned (cf. Isa 58:6-7; Matt. 25:31-46). It also highlights spiritual works of mercy such as instructing others in the faith, practicing fraternal correction, providing advice or consolation to those in need, forgiving those who wrong us, and praying for the living and the dead.

As you consider your own actions, what works of mercy can you perform to love your neighbor?

There is a story by an unknown author about an old man who carried a small can of oil with him wherever he went. If he encountered a door that squeaked, he would apply a little oil to the hinges; if a gate was difficult to open, he would oil the latch. Thus, he journeyed through life, easing the burdens of those who came after him.

 

Many lives creak, squeak, and grate harshly day by day. They need to be lubricated with the oil of kindness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness. That can of oil is one of the predominant characteristics of a Christian life. Such a can of oil we are to carry around with us at all times. So, go and do likewise!   

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang