September 13, 2026. 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: Sirach 27:30-28:7; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35

 

Forgive that You may be Forgiven.

 

1.     Last Sunday’s readings encouraged us to correct one another in love. Today, Christ’s teaching in answer to Peter’s question is that we are not just to correct one another in love, but to go a step further and practice forgiveness for as long as it takes. Peter asked Christ: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Peter was very generous in offering to forgive his brother up to seven times. Because the Rabbinic teaching was that a man must forgive his brother three times before the offender is punished. “He who begs forgiveness from his neighbor must not do so more than three times.” Peter expected Christ to commend him for his generosity and for going beyond the Rabbinic teaching. Forgiving up to seven times was highly commendable; after all, he took the Rabbinic three times, multiplied it by two, for good measure, added one, and suggested, with eager self-satisfaction, that it would be enough if he forgave his offenders seven times. But Christ did not buy it! Christ’s answer to Peter was simple: the Christian must forgive seventy times seven. In other words, forgiveness has no reckonable limit.

 

2.     In the first reading, we see why we should forgive others. “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the Lord’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail.” The God who has the right to withhold forgiveness from us does not stop forgiving us. God forgives his children always and does not withhold his mercy and love from anyone who asks for forgiveness. But we find it difficult to accept God’s forgiveness. We know that we have accepted God’s forgiving love by forgiving others. The first reading asks, “Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the Lord? Sirach proposes several motives for forgiving others. Thinking of our own death is one. What good will hatred of others do after we have died? God’s commandment not to hate our neighbor is another. But the best of all is “the Most High’s covenant,” that is, the Lord’s own loving forgiveness of us.

 

3.     The best reason why we should forgive comes from the parable of Christ about the forgiving King. The huge amount of money the king writes off is contrasted with the tiny amount the official refuses to forgive. Jesus stated that the official did not truly understand or make his own the king’s great act of forgiveness. If he had, he would have readily forgiven his fellow servant. Because he did not, his own debt remains. As noted in the Our Father prayer, we learn that a man must forgive to be forgiven. He who will not forgive his fellow-men cannot hope that God will forgive him. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6: 14,15). Therefore, Love, kindness, compassion, and magnanimity are aspects of forgiveness. The true sign of Christianity is love, and the power of love is forgiveness. Forgiveness should be permanent, not occasional. The quality of love is sweet, and that of mercy and kindness is sweeter. One feels more enriched when one forgives than when one is forgiven.

 

4.     It is easy to talk about forgiving others. We can handle that and work towards it. But forgiving oneself could be a problem. We may have done things in the past that make it difficult to forgive ourselves. This may harden us and make us see others through the lens of our past behaviors. Because we have not forgiven ourselves, it may make it difficult to forgive others. So let us learn to forgive ourselves first; then it will be easy to forgive others.

 

5.     In the world that considers revenge, cruelty and callousness as necessary ingredients for success in life, Christians should be living examples of forgiveness, tenderness and kindness. We should also say, like Paul, “If we live, we are the Lord’s. The decision to live and die for the Lord will enable us to assimilate Jesus’ forgiveness, kindness, and compassion. St. Augustine reminds us that “If you are suffering from a bad man’s injustice, forgive him lest there be two bad men.”

 

6.     The best place to experience the forgiving love of God concretely is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And when we receive God’s forgiveness, we should be willing to forgive others as we have been forgiven.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

September 06, 2026. 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20

 

I am Waiting For Judas!

1.    Today’s readings stress the need to correct one another in love. The world is so polarized, and we tend to build walls of separation rather than bridges of love and unity. Fr. John Pichapilly relates a story in his book, ‘Kindle Your Spirit,’ that captures the substance of these readings.  Once, there were two brothers. Their father had a large farm, and when he became too old to work, he called his sons to him and said, “I am too old to work anymore. I will divide my farm in half and give each of you one half. I know that you will always work together and will be good friends.” When the brothers first started farming on their adjoining farms, they were best friends and shared everything. Then, one day, the brothers argued and stopped speaking to one another. For many years, they did not speak to each other.

 

2.    One day, one of the brothers was at his house when a carpenter came to his door and said, “I would like to do some work. Do you have any work that I can do?” The brother thought for a moment and then replied, “I would like for you to build a fence on my property. Build it down near the stream there that separates my farm from my brother’s. I don’t want to see my brother anymore, and I would like you to build a high fence there, please. I’m going into town, and I’ll be back this evening.

 

3.     When he came back that evening, he was shocked to see that the carpenter had not followed his instructions. Instead of building a high fence there, he had built a bridge over the stream. The man walked down to look at the bridge, and as he did, his brother walked towards him from the other side. His brother said, “After all the terrible things I’ve done to you over the years, I cannot believe that you would build a bridge and welcome me back.” He reached out to his brother and gave him a tight hug. The brother then walked back up to his farmhouse to talk to the carpenter. “Can you stay?” he asked. “I have more work for you to do.” The carpenter answered, “I’m sorry, but I can’t stay. I have to go, because I have many other bridges to build.

 

4.    Now and then, we are confronted with conflicts in our families, in places of work, in our church, and in our community. Our strength is not in falling, but in getting up each time we fall. When faced with conflicts, we often build a fence between ourselves and see others as enemies. We would stop talking to our presumed enemies, avoid them, and close in on ourselves. We cannot run away from people who hurt us. We must do what we can to achieve peace and correct each other in love. This is what Christ wants us to do. Instead of a wall, we must build a bridge of love between us.

 

5.     Jesus does not give up on anyone. And so, we must not give up on anyone.  We must look for ways for reconciliation with everyone we relate to. Christ did not give up on Peter, nor did he give up on Judas, as this story demonstrates. The saved were partying in heaven. Missing was Jesus. Peter found Him at Heaven’s gate and asked: “Master, why are you standing outside?” He replied, “Peter, I’m waiting for Judas.” If Christ won’t give up on Judas, should we give up on people? We should extend our kindness even to those who hurt us. When we forgive people, we do not do them a favor, but we set ourselves free to love. Hence St. Paul tells us in the second reading to “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen observed that “While it is possible to win the argument, your anger may lose the war.”

 

6.    Let us pray, dear friends, that instead of building fences of hatred, we may build bridges of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. May the Holy Spirit guide and direct us so that we may learn to correct each other in love. Remember the admonitions of Christ: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:3-5). God bless you!

 

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

August 30. 2026. 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A), August 30, 2026

Readings: Jer. 20:7-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27

The Burden of Preachers!

1.     In the first reading, Jeremiah used the language of a betrayed lover to describe his relationship with God. According to him, God seduced, enticed, and manipulated him with promises of fidelity and commitment into a relationship. The Lord told him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicated you, and a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (Jer.1:5). When Jeremiah protested, “Ah, Lord God! I know not how to speak; I am too young.” God told him, “Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you” (Jer. 1:7-8) The Lord then touched his mouth, saying, “See, I place my words in your mouth! This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.” (Jer. 1:9-10). Jeremiah was further assured: “But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land: Against Judah’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord” (Jer. 1:17-19).

 

2.     So why is Jeremiah so mad in today’s reading? Hear him: “Violence and outrage is my message.” God’s Word brought him “Derision and reproach.” Jeremiah thought God’s promises at the time of his call meant people would love him and be receptive to his prophetic messages. Instead, those he preached to hated, ridiculed, and suspended him in a pit of mud; they threw him into jail, threatening to kill him. And so, in the first reading, he cried, “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.” (Jer. 20:7). Jeremiah’s plight is the burden of every preacher who preaches God’s word, not what people want to hear, but what would bring them salvation.

 

3.     Jeremiah’s burden came from his mission. He was to point out rottenness and corruption in high places, in sacred sanctuaries, among people who were supposed to be shining examples of virtue and champions of justice. He called on the priests to reform their lives and confronted kings and rulers to render justice to the poor. When he prophesied violence and destruction, he was mocked and ridiculed by the powerful and the priests. And so, he resolved not to speak of God’s Words anymore. But he confessed his complete inability to remain silent. Instead, he cried out that the word of God was like fire burning in his heart, imprisoned by his bones: “I grow weary holding it in, and I cannot endure it.” God would not let him be. Jeremiah, gripped by the power of unrelenting love, must keep on preaching.

 

4.     Jeremiah had to deal with the burden of his mission, just as Christ had his as well, dealing with his disciples who did not quite know what his mission was all about. Last week he confronted his apostles with the question: “Who do you say I am?” Peter had an A+ with his answer that Christ was the anointed one of God. Christ gave him an exalted position and called him the Rock on which he would build his church. Peter was given the keys of the kingdom, to bind and to loose. Yes, Peter had his five minutes of fame. But in today’s reading, Jesus called Peter Satan. “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”  So, how deep was Peter’s knowledge of Christ? By saying Christ was the anointed one, he thought that, as the anointed one, Christ would rescue God’s people from the Romans and establish a kingdom where there shall be no more poor, sick, blind, or lame. In that kingdom, as we read in the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matthew 5-7), there will be peace, love, and justice. Sinners would be converted to the Lord; “There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord as water covers the sea” (Is. 9:15)

 

5.     The Anointed One was expected to be a high priest or a judge; he was to be a warrior or a great prophet like Elijah. He was to be so great, prosperous, and powerful that suffering and pain would have no place in his life. The Apostles, on the other hand, saw themselves as sharing in the master’s greatness. They were destined to have high and influential positions in that kingdom. How could Christ be talking about suffering, the cross, or even dying? Peter had to prevent Christ from talking like that. But Christ saw in Peter’s reaction another temptation trying to derail him from his mission. He called him Satan, tempter, a barrier, an adversary, and a stumbling block. Just like Jeremiah, no one wants to suffer, no one wants the cross, and no one wants pains of any kind. We want an easy way out, so we cut corners, peddle the truth, and compromise our principles and follow the crowd. No, Lord, this must not happen to you. So, Jesus rebuked Peter and reminded him that he does not give instructions to Jesus but should learn from the master.

     

6.     Jesus lived a sacrificial life. His love went above and beyond his call of duty, because his aim was always to bring us to a life of union with God. And so, Christ constantly calls us to take up our cross and follow him daily. He said that we must deny ourselves for his sake. This means saying ‘Yes’ to God and ‘no’ to self and self-inclinations. He calls on us to dethrone ourselves and enthrone God in all spheres of our lives. We must seek to please God in everything. Secondly, Christ invites us to take up our crosses as he did his and live a life of sacrificial service. We must abandon our personal ambition to serve Christ and those entrusted to our care. By so doing, we learn the meaning of true happiness, which lies in following Jesus, obeying his command, and walking in his footsteps. We do this through prayer, our sacramental life, and by living a life of service. Let us pray that we may offer ourselves, as St. Paul reminds us in the second reading, “As a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

August 23, 2026. 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20

 

Six years ago, as I was reflecting on the above question, I got a call that my 91-year-old dad had passed away. There and then, the question took on a different dimension for me. Who do I say Jesus is for me at a time like this? When faced with difficult situations in life, who is Jesus for you? Sometimes it feels like we don’t know who Jesus is. This reminds me of a story by Mark Link in his Sunday Homilies. A little girl went to CCD class for the first time. After class, her mother asked her, “Amy, how did you like CCD today?” The little girl said, “I didn’t like it at all.” Her mother said, “It was your first time. Just wait a few weeks. You’ll come to like it.” Three weeks later, the little girl came home from CCD with big tears in her eyes. “What’s the matter?” her mother asked. “It’s CCD,” the little girl said. “Must I keep going?” “Why?” asked her mother. “What’s wrong?” “Well,” said the little girl, “everybody talks about somebody named Jesus. And I don’t know who he is. I’ve never even met him.”

 

2.    I’m sure Christ will resonate with this girl’s feelings. Everybody is talking about Christ; do they know who Christ is? Was he ever understood? Was Christ recognized for who and what he was? After his ascension, is there anyone who will carry on his work and labor for his kingdom? Do we know what his mission really is? Is Christ only a miracle worker, a healer, a provider, or the one who raised the dead? This question was crucial to Christ.

 

3.    So, to the question “Who do you people say I am?”, many people have different opinions about Jesus and who they thought he was. But Christ was not interested in what others said about him, but rather in an individual experience of him. And so, when Peter made his profession of faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, Christ knew that there was at least someone who knew and understood his mission. He knew that with Peter at the helm, his work was safe, and his mission would go on even without him. And so, Christ appointed Peter to the leadership role and gave him the keys of the kingdom. But how did Peter come to this sublime knowledge of Christ? This type of knowledge can only come from God, as St. Paul opines in the second reading: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgements and how unsearchable his ways! For from him and through him and for him are all things.”

 

4.    Peter came to this knowledge through his personal encounter with the person of Jesus. Peter encountered Jesus when he was directed to catch a great number of fish to the point that his nets were tearing. He had to signal to his partners in the other boat to come to help him. When Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” (Lk. 5:1-11). How could Peter have forgotten that experience? He saw firsthand how Jesus healed the sick, beginning with his mother-in-law. (Lk. 4:38-39). He heard Jesus’s teaching many times. He knew that Jesus taught with authority, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees. (Matt. 7:29). He was rescued from drowning in the Sea of Galilee. (Matt. 14:22-33). He saw Jesus doing the kind of work reserved for slaves, like washing feet. (Jn. 13:1-17). He saw Jesus feed the multitude with just five loaves and two fish. (Matt. 14:13-21). He, of course, witnessed Jesus as he spent hours in prayer, sometimes even throughout the night. (Lk 3:21; 11:1-13). Jesus lived with his apostles, and so they saw how simple his life was. No ordinary human being could do all these, except the anointed one of God! Yes, I know who you are: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

 

5.    With Peter’s confession, he was given the keys. Christ entrusted him with the responsibility of leading his church because Peter understood what true power meant. It is service above all; it is suffering, and, at times, it entails sacrifice. It means being responsible for others in love. Jesus knew that Peter would always fall back on him for support. He knew that he would not arrogate power to himself, as Shebna did in the first reading. Shebna used his power and authority to enrich himself. He forgot the one who put him there and the reason he was placed in that exalted position. Corrupt leaders often feel that they have absolute power and forget that he who gave power can also take it back. And Shebna’s power was transferred to Eliakim.

 

6.    A true leader will always look for the source of his power. And this comes from the knowledge of God. We know a person’s worth by the power they wield. Our knowledge of Christ will assure our humility in the exercise of power. That is why power in the Church is service, and to exercise this power appropriately, one must have a deeper relationship with Christ. So, in your position of authority, who do you say Jesus is? In your family, who do you say he is? When faced with temptation and sickness that defiles all cures, who is Jesus for you? In your free time alone and in your confusion, who is Jesus for you? When entrusted with a position of leadership, who do you say Jesus is?

 

7.    Let us pray for a true understanding of power and authority. May we get to know Jesus personally and intimately so that he may use us for his kingdom. Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

August 16, 2026. 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (YearA)

Readings: Isaiah 56:1,6-7; Romans 11:13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28

Children’s Food and House Dogs!

1.     Jesus was naturally compassionate and kind to women, children, the poor, and the sick? Why then was he unkind to the Canaanite woman, a Gentile, a non-Jew who begged him to heal her daughter?  She was an outsider. She did not belong to the family of God’s chosen people. She must have heard about Jesus’ healing power, and so she came to him, crying desperately for help. After ignoring her for some time, Jesus told her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Yes, Jesus was sent to his Jewish people. This passage describes the first time Jesus was outside Jewish territory. It foreshadowed the taking of the gospel to the whole world.

 

2.     How do we treat outsiders in our midst? How do we relate with those who are different from us, speak different languages, have accents, or do not belong to our class? They are the immigrants and the marginalized. We often put people into categories like Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. We are not comfortable when people hold political views different from ours. We are either with or against them. They are not one of us: they are Outsiders. The outsiders are freeloaders, we reason. We often ignore their academic background or their professions. According to an African proverb, “He who sees a person in the bush forgets that they came from a home.” So, this woman, an outsider, goes to Jesus for mercy and healing for her daughter. The disciples saw her as an embarrassment or a nuisance. They demanded, “Give her what she wants and get rid of her.” Just the way we see and treat the outsiders in our communities. They are an embarrassment in our streets; we are tired of them because they are taking all our jobs; we are spending too much money on their welfare. The disciples’ reaction was not compassion and love, but an unchristian response to human needs. It was shameful and reprehensible. But just like all the outsiders in our midst, no insult would prevent her from getting what she wanted for her daughter. Yes, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table. But she was a foreigner, a non-Jew, an outsider! Where did her faith come from?

 

3.     Her faith came from her love for her daughter. It was love that made her approach this stranger. It was love that made her accept rebuff and insult. She saw compassion in the seeming words of insult from Jesus. There is nothing stronger and nothing nearer God than our love for others. We live better when we live for others. This woman’s faith grew stronger when confronted by Jesus. She looked into Jesus’ face, discovered something divine in her heart, and ended up calling him Lord. “Lord, help me.” When faced with sickness and deprivation, the outsiders fall back on God, and their faith grows ever stronger. God is truly close to the brokenhearted. She came crying out for help and ended up on her knees in prayer of adoration. She humbled herself and acknowledged the God of her salvation. She was not discouraged because the prayer of a contrite heart always wins the Lord’s favor.

 

4.     Christ’s mission was to the Jews first, but this woman was a Gentile crying for mercy; He had to awaken true faith in her heart. “It is not right to take the children’s bread and to throw it to the dogs.” Her answer, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters”, shows that her faith was strong enough for her miracle to be granted. The true meaning of this story is not in the healing of her daughter but in her audacity of faith that dares to trust in the face of silence, of delay, and exclusion. She did not argue for her right or demand what she believes she deserves but threw herself entirely upon the mercy of God and was convinced that his goodness is greater than every obstacle before her. Jesus, moved by such extraordinary faith, declares, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” The Canaanite woman teaches us that when we approach God, we must drop our sense of entitlement and pride and lean entirely on his absolute goodness. When we encounter obstacles, delays, or apparent silence, we must resist the temptation to surrender to discouragement. God’s silence is not always God’s absence. And his delays are not necessarily his denials. If you are standing before a closed door today or carrying a burden that seems impossible to bear, do not lose heart. Do not allow divine silence to harden you into resentment; instead, kneel in prayer and continue to trust, hold firm to God’s generosity, and remember that even the smallest touch of grace can transform your story because the crumbs that fall from the master’s table carry the power of heaven even for an outsider. Jesus reinforced the woman’s faith and showed it as an example to others.

 

5.     Because of her faith, being an outsider was no longer a barrier to approaching God for mercy. Peter recognized this after he visited Cornelius’ house, himself a Gentile, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35). John the apostle adds, “But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God.” (Jn. 1:12). And John Rose wrote, “The Jews were the chosen race. They had the right to receive the blessings of the Messiah. The non-Jewish people, the Syro-Phoenician woman, who did not belong to the Chosen race of the Jews, will still receive the same blessing because of their faith.”

 

6.     Our faith and the water of baptism are, indeed, stronger than the racial and tribal bond. In Jesus, it doesn’t matter whether you are an outsider or not; once you believe in God and commit yourself to him, “Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.” Those who join themselves to God, foreigners, outsiders and all, who minister to God and worship his name, will come to God’s holy mountain where they will pray freely to him, for his house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. May God who accepts us as we are, help us to accept others as they are. Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

August 09, 2026. 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9,11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

 

“Truly, you are the Son of God.”

1.      Today’s readings demonstrate the faith of two men: Elijah in the first reading and Peter in the Gospel. In the First Book of Kings, Elijah struggled to turn Israel away from the precipice of collapse and decadence and back to the worship of the true God. Zeal for God and righteous indignation led Elijah to put to death the 450 prophets of Baal. Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife and a passionate promoter of paganism and the worship of the Canaanite god Baal, was furious with Elijah and threatened to kill him. Elijah fled for his life, even begging God to take his life. God did not grant that plea; instead, he miraculously fed Elijah. Strengthened by nourishment from above, Elijah journeyed to the mountain of God at Horeb, where God revealed himself not in thunder, lightning, or earthquake, but in a gentle breeze. God is as effective and powerful in the gentle wind as he is in dramatic and earth-shaking signs. Elijah’s faith was tested, and he almost gave up, but God changed his fortune and renewed his faith as Elijah turned his gaze from himself to God and allowed God to direct his life. It is amazing what we hear when we pay attention to God’s word. Meditation and contemplation are forms of prayer that help us listen to God in a very special way.

 

2.     Last Sunday we read about the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and two fish and the feeding of five thousand men, not counting women and children. Today, after the banquet, Christ sent his disciples to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. He then went up the mountain to pray. Nothing would prevent him from keeping the appointment with God. If he couldn’t pray during the day, he could do it at night. Prayer gave him strength to do his father’s will and carry out his mission. When we listen to God in prayer, we come to know his will. We should not complain that we cannot find time to pray; we should not be too busy to pray. To be effective and productive in his mission, Christ needed to spend time with God. Prayer is the key to a successful life, to a productive ministry, and to a committed Christian life.

 

3.     While praying, Christ sensed that his disciples were in trouble at sea, struggling as their boat was buffeted by strong wind and waves. “It is I; do not be afraid”, he assured them. Peter retorted, “If it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” Christ invited him, and he stepped on the water, with his eyes fixed on Christ. As soon as he took his eyes off Jesus, he began to go down into the water. Then he cried out for help, “Lord, save me!”

 

4.     The raging waves of the sea can be compared to the storms of our lives. At times our lives are ravaged by turbulent waves of atrocities and adversities. No matter how much we fix our gaze on Jesus, he does not seem to notice. Our faith has been tested over and over again like Peter’s and Elijah’s. How do we handle the stormy weather of broken relationships and shattered dreams? Unfortunately, some of our storms are self-inflicted. We find it difficult to free ourselves from the shackles of misguided dreams and misplaced priorities. We are drowned by worldly desires each time we try to get out. How do we deal with the waves of problems that defile all logic in our families? Our Church is not spared the turbulent waves of sin, deceit, cover-up, and unaccountability. We face innumerable problems and unanswerable questions. At times like this, we cry like Peter, “Lord, save us; we are drowning.” Christ will hear and say, men and women of little faith, why did you doubt? It is I; do not be afraid.

 

5.     From these readings we learn that no matter the condition of our faith, Christ will meet us at the hour of our needs. He will come to us, as he went to the disciples, in the rough and turbulent sea. He knows us, and he is willing to assist us. No matter what our waves, be it bad marriage, struggle with temptation, dealing with depression, or grieving the loss of a loved one, we are not alone. Jesus tells us, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33). Just like the wind died down and there was calm when Jesus entered the boat, if we invite Jesus into our boats, he will calm our storm and grant us peace. Let us worship and acknowledge that, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

 

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

August 02, 2026. 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. (Year A)

Readings: Is. 55:1-3; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Matthew 14:13-21 

It Is in Giving That We Receive.

1.     The first reading shows God as preparing a banquet for his children. This banquet is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. The banquet is used here as an image to describe God’s care for humanity. This banquet is freely given, and humanity is invited to partake of it. God offers salvation as a free gift to all: “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” God alone offers free food: “Eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food.” God’s nourishing work calls for attentiveness and receptivity. Though God’s gift is free, it demands discipline. “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? God’s instruction will truly satisfy our hearts. “Listen, so that you may live.”

2.     The gospel describes how Jesus fed five thousand men, not counting women and children. The multiplication of the loaves itself can be interpreted in many ways. We may see the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves as a sacrament. Those present only received the smallest morsel of food, say just a bite, and were strengthened for their journey home.  This was not just a simple meal to feed their physical appetite, but a spiritual food of Christ. This miracle then is re-enacted daily during the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass. This is the food Jesus talked about when he said: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn. 6:51). This living bread, the viaticum, is the food for the journey. It will enable us to walk with firmer feet and greater strength on the way that leads us to God.

3.     Apart from these interpretations, I want to consider another dimension, if you may. At the beginning of this story, Jesus was told about the death of John the Baptist. On hearing this, he withdrew to a deserted place to be alone. As a human being, Jesus needed rest. He would never recklessly run into trouble; therefore, he withdrew, lest the bloodthirsty Herod seek his head as well. Of course, he knew that his own death on the cross was imminent; hence, he needed a peaceful and quiet environment to commune with God. It was in this context that hospitality embraced compassion, and one of the greatest miracles of love, kindness, healing, and mercy took place on the shore of the lake of Galilee. We are told, “When he had disembarked, he saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them to the depths of his being and healed their sick.” He did not see the people as a nuisance and too demanding. Instead, he was moved with compassion for them. How often do we complain that we are doing too much for our families or our church? How often do we resent our children or spouses for being too demanding? Jesus tells us today that we can achieve much more with compassion than with whining and complaining about everyone and everything. May we always demonstrate to everyone that God cares for them and that we are only instruments used by God to achieve his purpose in their lives.

4.      Now let us look at the disciples’ reaction to the compassion of Jesus. It seems that they were disappointed that the people had robbed them of the wonderful opportunity to spend quiet time with their master. So, having healed them, they felt it was time they left. They told Jesus: “The place is deserted, and the hour of the evening meal has already passed. Send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” Did they forget that they too were instruments of God’s care for the people? Did they come between the love of God and the people? Were they perhaps trying to separate the people from God’s love when they asked Jesus to dismiss the crowd? Did they think that Christ did not know what to do? Christ reminded them that there was no need for the crowd to go away. “Give them some food yourselves.”, he told them.

 

5.     Jesus knew what to do, but he wanted the disciples to be part of his compassionate mission. The disciple is helpless without the master, and the master needs the disciple for his mission. We cannot say that there is nothing we can do to help the suffering masses of our world. If we call on the Lord, he will show us the way. Jesus will use what we have to bring about a change and transformation in people’s lives. The disciples told Jesus they had only five loaves and two fish, and Jesus knew he had enough to feed the people. There were contributions, participation, cooperation, and partnership between the disciples and Jesus. With that, a miracle was possible. Christ does not request the impossible from us; he wants us to come to him with what we have, however ill-equipped; he wants us to give to him what we have, no matter how little, and he will use it greatly for his service. Little is always much in his hands. Never say, I have nothing to give; trust that God will use what you give, if you give with your whole heart.

 

6.     There is another way to consider this parable. Was it possible that the crowd did not bring food with them, as they embarked on the journey to meet Christ? That was most unlikely. Some may indeed have had food but were too selfish to share with others. Those who brought food would likely have to share with those who did not; hence, they pretended that they had nothing. It could be that when Jesus shared the five loaves and two fishes brought to him with a blessing, invitation, and a smile, it prompted others to do the same, and before long, everyone was sharing, until all had enough and more to go around. That will be a true miracle, indeed! This, therefore, was a miracle of changing selfish people into generous ones, at the touch of Christ. It was the miracle of the birth of love in grudging hearts. It was the miracle of changing men and women with something of Christ in them to banish their selfishness. They were able to give freely because they realized that all they had was a gift from God. Since nothing would separate them from the love of God, they trusted God and gave freely as Jesus gave them of his time, his rest, and his love. When we love others as God loves us, love goes around, but when we keep what we have to ourselves, we become truly impoverished. May God teach us to give of ourselves to others without counting the cost. Let us pray with St. Francis. “It is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” Amen. 

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

July 26, 2026. 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52 

What is your buried Treasure?

1.    Several years ago, a geologist named Dr. John T. Williamson was doing some work in Tanzania. One day, he found himself driving in a deserted area, slipping and sliding along a rain-soaked road. Suddenly, his four-wheel drive vehicle sank up to its axles in the mud and got stuck. Pulling out his shovel, Dr. Williamson began the unpleasant task of digging out of a mud hole. He had been at it for a while when his shovel uncovered something strange. It was a pink-like stone of some sort. Being a geologist and naturally curious about rock formations, he picked it up and wiped away the mud. The more mud he recovered, the more excited he became, and he could hardly believe what he saw. When the stone was finally clean, Dr. Williamson was beside himself with joy. He had discovered a diamond. Now, any diamond at all would be a surprise in that situation, but Dr. Williamson found what became known as the famous pink diamond of Tanzania. That stone today sits in the royal scepter of Great Britain, and Dr. Williamson is famous around the world for his find – as accidental as it may have been.

2.    This story illustrates the point Jesus raised in today’s Gospel. He likened the kingdom of heaven to a treasure buried in a field or a pearl of great price, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. These parables were perfectly natural and easily understood by the people of Palestine in the days of Jesus, and even by many people in the rural areas of the world. In those days, there were banks, but not banks for ordinary people. Ordinary people would rather use the ground as the safest place to keep their most cherished belongings. Recall the parable of the talent in Matthew 25:25. The man who received one talent buried it in the ground and later brought it out to the master when asked for it. It was common practice for people to hide their valuables in the ground before they took to flight during war, in the hope that the day would come when they could return and regain them. It was, therefore, easy for someone to stumble on a buried treasure in the field or find a pearl of great price buried in the field. A merchant would hide the pearl and sell all he had to buy it.

 

3.    We live in a world full of wants, needs, desires, and undue expectations. We are never satisfied with what we have, and so, we are in search of something better. We want a better house, a better car, a comfortable life, and the best for our children. Nothing seems to quench our desire for more. No matter what we own, it is never enough, so we pray for more – the more the merrier. If we do not get what we need on our own, we take it to the Lord in prayer and ask for divine intervention. In the first reading, Solomon appealed to the Lord for help. He had just succeeded his father, David, as king of Israel. To begin his reign, Solomon prayed for an understanding heart, so that he could reign well. Of all that Solomon could have asked for, he prayed for wisdom. With the wisdom that comes from God, he will lead the people according to God’s heart. God was pleased with his request, “Because you have asked for this – not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right – I do as you requested. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like” (1 Kings 3:11-13).

4.    What do we pray for? It is important to pray with the right intention at the right time. Sometimes we pray for too many intentions at a time.  We seem to forget that God, our Father, knows our every need. He will provide for us whether we ask for it or not. Jesus even tells us what to ask for in prayer. “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk. 11:13). He tells us how to pray: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt. 6:7-8). After all, “All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28). St. Paul reminds us that “The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groaning.” Our prayer should be well thought out, and our intentions few.  Think of what to do if your prayers are answered or not. Can you handle all that you ask for? Solomon did not pray for himself but for others. The gift of wisdom bestowed on him was to help him continue his task of governance and be an effective and good leader. He was enabled to rule wisely and to establish a kingdom of love, justice, and peace. What do you do with your gifts and blessings? Do you use them for the glory of God and for the good of others?

5.    What we need in life is simple: to be happy, to be at peace with God and others, to do right, to love justice, and to walk humbly before God. Seek the revelation of the truth, the knowledge of what is good, and abhor evil in all its ramifications. Work earnestly towards your life with God in his kingdom, where you hope, one day, to behold his face. This is the hidden treasure. This is the pearl of great price. Until you find these treasures, your hearts will be empty, and your needs will never be satisfied. How do we find these treasures? You were given the tools on the day of Baptism. You were clothed with white garments, given a lighted candle as your guide, and the word of God as your shield.  It is by going about the normal business that you find the treasure; it is when you trip and fall while doing your work that you find the gold of eternal life. The treasure is found by sheer luck. The one who finds it sells all that he has to purchase the field where it is buried. Symbolically, this implies that becoming a member of the kingdom of heaven is a sheer gift of the Lord. He decides who will receive the treasure. The treasure is not given for an individual’s benefit. The recipient has to share it with others so that the kingdom can grow. It is the same with the pearl of great price. The one who finds it goes and sells all he has to buy it. The kingdom of God is not a mere substitute for something else; it is the finest possession that gives life, and it is worth selling all that one has to purchase it. It is the real possession that will give us eternal life, joy, and peace.

6.    Finally, these parables describe different ways in which people find the kingdom. By chance, by diligent search, and by careful discernment. No matter which way one finds it, what is important and necessary is the wisdom to recognize the surpassing worth of the kingdom and be part of it. May the Eucharist we celebrate, our daily prayer, our sacrifices, and our witnessing to the gospel direct us to find the hidden treasure in our world.    

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP