November 03, 2024; 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                     Readings: Dt. 6:2-6; Heb. 7:23-28; Mk. 12:28-34

My Love for God is seen in my Love for others!

1.     Fr. George Anderson served as a chaplain at the maximum-security prison at Riker’s Island, New York. He started a prayer discussion group among some of the prisoners. The group would read a passage from Scripture, like the parable of the prodigal son. Then, they would ponder the passage in silence and end by discussing how it applied to their everyday lives. One evening, a prisoner named Richard, from a section for the mentally disturbed, was with the group for the first time. Fr. Anderson describes the episode this way: “It was a windy evening in March. There was little heat in the room. An inmate sitting opposite Richard, having come with his T-shirt and trousers, was shivering. Richard had come with his shoulders wrapped in two blankets. Then, while we were discussing the idea of helping each other, Richard suddenly got up, walked to the other inmate, and put one of his blankets around him.”

 

2.     What Richard did is called practical spirituality. Richard, ‘the good prisoner,’ preached a sermon by his action, a living testament to the interconnectedness of our love for God and our love for others. He put the answer Jesus gave to the question: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” into action. The scribe wanted to be justified by the keeping of the commandments. But Jesus wanted him to see the commandments in practical terms. Jesus reduced the Ten Commandments to just one with two prongs – the love of God and the love of neighbor. We cannot be so in love with God while out of love with our neighbor. Hence, St. John opined, “If someone says he loves God but hates his brother, he is a liar, for he cannot love God, whom he has not seen if he does not love his brother, whom he has seen. The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20). Vima Dasan, SJ put it better: “Without the love of God, our love of neighbor would become shallow and formalistic; but without the love of neighbor, our love of God can become self-centered and individualistic, thus separating religion from life. Hence, however hard it may be, we must be constantly moving our religion from our throats to our muscles.” If we profess to love God but at the same time be always critical and spiteful of others, there is something wrong with that type of love. God cannot be loved in isolation.

 

3.     It is impossible to love anyone else if I am not in love with myself. If I do not love my family, I doubt if I will be capable of loving my neighbor. Loving God is very easy and simple if I don’t have to love anyone else. Like the husband who told his wife, I love God with all my heart; I have no problem with God. But I have issues with you asking for money to buy stuff, asking for school fees for the kids, and talking back at me. You disturb me while watching football on Sunday, make noise while I listen to the news, and you talk about others all the time. God doesn’t do any of that. Oh, I love God dearly, but not human beings. We must remember that self-love is not selfishness, but a necessary foundation for loving others.

 

4.     We have often done harmful things to ourselves. We destroy our bodies by turning them into canvas for the arts. We eat, drink, and smoke things that ruin our internal organs. We abuse ourselves with the company we keep. We despise our tongues by what we say and how we use them to destroy others. We fill our minds and hearts with all sorts of things that make it impossible to concentrate on God during prayers or on items that impact our lives positively. We often transfer these attitudes to the way we treat others. We abuse people behind their backs and curse them if they make us unhappy. Our children are usually not spared. There is so much hatred and disregard for our brothers and sisters in the same family that it makes it hard to see eye to eye with them. Often, siblings do not talk to each other due to past hurts and transgressions. Reconciliation is easier in the United Nations conflict resolution meetings than in our families. How can we love God so entirely in isolation from those around us? Yes, our family members may be a pain in the rear end, but Christ instructs us to love them as we love ourselves. Isn’t it true that we love God in the same measure that we can love one another? That is what Christ tells us in today’s gospel. We must love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as we love ourselves.

 

5.     Spending time in prayer, going to confession, receiving Jesus Christ faithfully in the Eucharist, keeping the commandments of God and the Church, contributing to supporting the Church, and being active in ministries are essential and wonderfully significant, but they are not enough. We must do these and more. Our Christianity must be practical, not just a set of rituals, but a way of life that we live every day. We are to be the homily seen as rooted in the homily we heard. Let us plan to go to heaven, not as individuals, though we will go as individuals, but with all those dear to us, by being the gospel they see since so many of them will not be able to read any other bible given to them.

 

6.     Today’s readings invite us to ask ourselves some profound and meaningful questions. Have I identified my love for God with the love I have for my family? Have I expressed my love for God in the way I love those who do not belong to my group? Let us pray for an understanding of God’s love and so love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

October 27, 2024; 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                     Readings: Jer. 31:7-9; Heb. 5:1-6; Mk. 10:46-52 

Be not Intimidated, but Be Courageous!

1.     Today’s Gospel presents us with Bartimaeus, the blind beggar. As he sat by the roadside begging, he couldn’t see what was going on but could feel the pulse around him; he sensed the changes in people’s behavior as they passed by. He was blind but not hopeless; blind but not deaf. He may have been in need and somewhat handicapped, but he was not helpless. Bartimaeus may have heard about Jesus and the many miracles he performed. He heard that Jesus was a good man who cared for the poor, the sick, the oppressed, the marginalized, and the forgotten. Bartimaeus believed that he would be fortunate to meet Jesus one day, so he anxiously awaited the movements that would signal the presence of Jesus. No one would stop him from asking Jesus to have his sight back. He waited! And God answered his prayers. He knew from the crowd and the commotion that Christ was around. He must strike while the iron was hot. He cried out, Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me. 

2.     This story has many nuances. First, Bartimaeus was not an ordinary beggar. He was a beggar with a purpose. He did not want to be defined by his blindness. He had expectations, faith, and hope that were unwavering. He knew he would improve his life once he got in touch with Christ. Bartimaeus knew that when Jesus heard his voice in distress, he would never turn his back on him. He made the words of the Psalm his own: “In my misfortune, I called, the Lord heard and saved me from all distress. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirit is crushed.” (Psalm 34:7, 19).

3.     His cry for help was his prayer, through which he directed his concerns to God and God alone. Though the crowd tried to stop him, telling him to be silent, he kept calling out the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” According to Fr. John Pichappily, “Everybody has some type of obstacle, some type of disadvantage, some type of hindrance that stands in their way (physical and spiritual). God does not always remove the handicap, whether spiritual or physical; He does, however, give us the ability to overcome them. He gives us the ability to rise above our handicaps!” But we must learn to overcome the negative influences, especially those discouraging us from reaching our goals. Public opinion will always try to put us down. Still, we must be courageous enough to stand up to it by tapping into our inner strength and convictions, believing that we are stronger and more resilient than whatever anyone thinks about us. When the crowd rebuked Bartimaeus, they defined him by his blindness. They felt that he was good for nothing, that no good could ever come from him. They put him down and counted him out as unworthy of Jesus’s time. But they were truly blind, blind to his potential, capability, faith, strength, and trust in God. God would never count him out. He came to his rescue, put a new song into his mouth, and changed his mourning into rejoicing. When the Lord stopped and said, “Call him.” They told him, “Take courage, get up; Jesus is calling you.” Jesus will turn those against you to begin to praise your names. Yes, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” (Rom. 8:31). 

4.     For Bartimaeus, that was the time he was waiting for. He jumped and went to Jesus. He wanted to see again, and the Lord gave him his sight. Instead of going back to beg, he followed Jesus. Today’s Psalm captured Bartimaeus’s feelings. “When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.” The Lord’s marvelous work in reversing his people’s misfortune is proclaimed in the first reading. “I will gather them from the ends of the world with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child; they shall return as an immense throng.” The first reading finds its fulfillment in Jesus in the Gospel. Jesus is the “High Priest who is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness, and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.” (Heb. 5:1-6). The opening of the eyes of the blind is the fulfillment of the mission of Christ: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Lk. 4:18-19).

5.     The story of Bartimaeus teaches us to put our trust in the Lord, knowing that he will never forget us. It encourages us to wait patiently for the Lord’s visitation and to strike the iron while it is hot. Do not miss the opportunity given to you no matter what. The blind man did not allow the crowd to intimidate and stop him from calling on the Lord for help. If you need help from the Lord, pray and do not give up. Like Bartimaeus, be sure of what you need from God. Asking God for too many things can be confusing, even to yourself. The Blind man wanted only one thing: to see, and he got his sight back. He knew what to do with his sight: follow the Lord and be a blessing to others. What do you do when your request is granted? Do not behave like the crowd. When you see someone in need do whatever you can to help and not put anyone down.  Even if you do not know how to help someone succeed, it is sufficient to wish him well. Like Jesus, we are called to open the eyes of the blind, counter public opinions, and be missionary disciples in our world. 

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

October 20, 2024; 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                 Readings: Is. 53:10-11; Heb. 4:14-16; Mk. 10:35-45 

Love conquers all things!

The first reading concerns the suffering servant who took the people’s sins upon himself. St. Paul says of Christ, “For our sake, God made him to be sin, and who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21). “Christ died to gather into one the dispersed children of God.” (Jn. 11:52). Christ is the suffering servant who came not to condemn the world but so that the world might be saved through him. He did not conquer the world by might, power, or authority but by serving others with love. “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Napoleon once said: “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love, and millions of men would die for him at this hour. He has won the hearts of men, a task a conqueror cannot do.” Love conquers all things!

Christ’s love for us was not without pain, suffering, and death. “The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.” (Is. 53:10). Chastisement, punishment, and suffering are part of life. No one enjoys suffering and pain. Christ cried out to his Father on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1-2). The purpose of suffering is always discovered at the end. It was after his crucifixion that Christ enjoyed his resurrection. Mark Link reminds us, “The crucifixion is a dramatic sign of Jesus’ love for us.” It is in suffering that we gain eternal life. As humans, we aspire to a life of greatness while doing everything we can to avoid suffering. But Christ’s suffering shows us that there is hope and transformation even in the darkest moments.

In the gospel, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, are demanding high positions in the kingdom of God. “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask of you for us. Grant that in your glory, we may sit at your right hand and the other at your left.” What would you call these two brothers? Selfish, inconsiderate, ambitious, and egocentric? And you would be correct, but are we different from them? There is something of James and John in all of us. We do not always consider what others think or how they feel so long as we satisfy our ego. We want to lead the parade, be in charge, and give instructions to others. Though we don’t always like to serve, we don’t mind being served. As I have said before, authority in the church means service. We must be available to serve others because we are called to be servant leaders. This struggle with ego is a universal human experience, and it’s important to recognize it in ourselves and others.

Christ exhorted them to be different in answer to James, John, and the apostles. “You know, among the pagans, their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt; this is not to happen among you. Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk. 10:43-45). As disciples of Jesus, we must follow Christ in his love for all God’s children and shun the ways of the world. We must love and serve even the unapproachable managers, the angry teachers, the authoritarian principals, and the power-hungry politicians. Let us learn the true meaning of power and authority - to serve in love and charity.

The followers of Christ are called to avoid the disordered path to greatness. Christ invited the brothers to think of greatness in terms of suffering. “Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” Christ referred them to his imminent death. If they want to be leaders, they must be prepared to suffer martyrdom. The reward of greatness is given by God alone, and the disciples must work hard to deserve it. The James and John in us push us to be lords and kings, while Jesus calls us to be servant leaders. We pray that we may not shy away from suffering that comes from God in our service of love. “For the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Prov. 3:11-12). Let us remember our call to be servant leaders, and let it empower and motivate us in our daily lives. 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

From the Pastor’s Desk 

“Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet.”

Today is World Mission Sunday, a yearly commemoration that underscores the vital role of missionary organizations and mission-oriented individuals in sharing the Good News of God’s kingdom. Our missionary mandate calls us to cooperate with God to make his kingdom more visible in our world today. We remember and support the work of the mission worldwide, enshrined in the Code of Canon Law that supports the Church’s outreach in over 1,150 mission territories. The theme of this year’s celebration, chosen by Pope Francis, is: “Go and invite everyone to the banquet,” inspired by the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:9. This theme calls us to reach out and welcome all to the feast of God’s love, echoing the inclusivity and urgency of the king’s invitation. Our mission is to reflect this divine hospitality, bringing joy, compassion, and hope to everyone we encounter, especially in territories where the Gospel has not yet been received, has been only recently embraced, or is courageously upheld in the face of persecution.

A Catholic can assist the missionary effort in three ways, and missionaries constantly remind us of them. This is within everyone’s capacity.

Prayer is a powerful tool in supporting missionary work. We pray that God may grant the missions His merciful aid, knowing that this kind of prayer cannot fail, especially in this cause. For no cause is dearer or more pleasing to God than this one. Just as Moses implored God’s aid for his people while they fought their battle with Amalek, we, too, must support the teachers of the Gospel in the Lord’s vineyard with our prayers. It is our duty as the faithful to follow the example of Moses and grant them the support of our prayers.

Fostering vocations is a crucial aspect of supporting missionary work. As Jesus reminds us, “The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). This is not a task to be delayed or taken lightly. It is a responsibility that we all share, and we must pray for an increase of vocation in the Church with a sense of urgency and commitment. The mission is now, and we are all called to act.

Economic Help. Every Catholic must give to support mission work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

October 13, 2024; 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Readings: Wis. 7:7-11; Heb. 4:12-13; Mk. 10:17-30 

Go, Sell What You Have, and Give to the Poor!

1.    Solomon encountered the Lord in the first book of Kings, who said, “Ask something of me, and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered and said give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to govern this vast people of yours.” (1 Kings 3:5-10). Solomon asked for the gift of wisdom. He recognized that he was a mere youth, not knowing how to act.  He wanted to learn how to govern the people of God, ruling them with equity, justice, and love. He wanted to know the difference between good and evil and what mattered in life. He desired the greater good rather than scanty victories with no proper judgment. His answer pleased God, who then said to him, “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. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you, there will come no one to equal you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that there is not your like among kings.” (1 Kings 3:10-14).

2.    Today’s first reading praises the significance of wisdom, a transformative force everyone should strive for. It’s not just a gift but a catalyst for spiritual growth. It’s the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit, the perfection of faith, enabling us to correctly value what we believe in through faith. “Wisdom is a spiritual gift which enables one to know the purpose and plan of God.” (CCC 1831).

3.    Christ is the wisdom of God, the hidden treasure a man finds and sells everything to buy. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He knows the way to the kingdom of God. St James tells us that “Wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.” (3:17). Christ, therefore, is what the rich young man in today’s gospel wanted; he is the answer to his yearning and the aspiration of his life. The rich young man is poor indeed, without Christ. He lacks one thing and, therefore, must go, sell “What you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.” This detachment is not a loss but a liberation, freeing us from the shackles of materialism and self-centeredness.

4.    But the rich young man was too blind to see that the answer to his prayer was right before him. His story serves as a cautionary tale for us all. He asked Eternal Life what he was to do to get eternal life. All he needed was to open his eyes and be detached from the clutches and shackles that hindered him. But the young man was comfortably hiding under the cloak of the law. “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” He did nothing wrong by keeping the law; he did not hurt anyone, but what else did he do? Nothing! Apart from keeping the law, Christ wanted him to dirty his hands by helping others. Go and sell what you have and give it to the poor. Christ invited him to be detached from the law to be free to love. But no, he would rather die than seek the wisdom he so badly needed. His love for wealth and riches robbed him of heaven. He loved the law more than people. He did nothing wrong, but he did nothing more. He offended no one, but he sinned against Lady Charity. Give to the poor to gain heaven and eternal life. He would instead go to hell than allow a penny of his to fall into the hands of those immigrants, those poor people, those beggars, those sick people, the displaced and homeless people. After all, he was not responsible for their condition. He worked hard for his money, so why should he help them? So, better die and go to hell than help those people. Better hold on to the law and doctrines than bend down to see the needs of others.

5.    Christianity must be practical, not just a set of rules we follow. We must be Christians in word and in deed, with charity being the cornerstone of our actions. A Christian who is rich in keeping the law but lacking in charity is a dead Christian.  We must listen to the Word and allow ourselves to be affected by it. The second reading reminds us that “The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”  We often leave the church sad because the pastor said something we do not like or agree with. Remember the rich young man? He went away sad because he did not like what Christ asked him to do. The Word and the Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus himself, invites us to dig deep and throw our nets into the deep water for a catch; are we ready to listen to him? You may say you are not rich; you have no wealth or money. You may even say Christ was not talking about you because you do not have those things. But wait a minute. What about your attachment to things, anger, hurt, aggression, and your way of life? If we do not detach from what hinders us from seeing Christ, our way to the Father, we will be sad and miss the kingdom. Let us pray for the gift of wisdom and, most importantly, for the wisdom of God. May we see in our poor the pathway to eternal life. If today, you listen to his voice harden, not your heart! Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

 

October 06, 2024; 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

                                 Readings: Gen. 2:18-24; Heb. 2:9-11; Mk. 10:2-16

Only a Human Being can Solve a Human Problem.

1.    Vima Dasan, SJ, in his book ‘His Word Lives,’ writes, “Questioning the children before Confirmation, the Bishop asked one nervous little girl, “What is matrimony?” She answered, “A place where souls suffer for a time for their sins!” “No, no,” said the parish priest, “that is purgatory.” “Let her alone,” said the Bishop, “She might be right; what do you and I know about it?” It is obvious that priests, apart from what they read and hear during counseling and marriage preparation, do not know much about the actual life of married couples. Some may have some idea, good or bad, based on the married lives of their parents. That is about all they know. Today’s readings present us with, first, the intention of God concerning man and woman, and second, the causes for divorce.

2.    The first reading tells us how God felt about man after creation. God felt pity for man’s loneliness. “It is not good for the man to be alone.” God then worked hard to fix that problem. “I will make a suitable partner for him.” Animals and things could not fix man’s loneliness. Only a human being can solve a human problem. When a woman was brought to a man, his problem was solved. “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called ‘woman’ for out of ‘her man,’ this one has been taken.” Case closed! Right? Not so fast. A woman was taken from a man’s side not to lord it over him but to be his friend, partner, companion, helper, and wife. On the other hand, the man is not to lord it over his wife or be her master. He, too, is to be a friend, a helper, a companion, and a partner to his wife. The marriage bond between a man and a woman will endure if these conditions are met.

3.    The Church sees marriage as “a covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of their whole life and which of its own very nature is ordered to the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children” (Cannon 1055). Therefore, any person who wants to enter into a marital covenant must be free to consent to a life-long commitment to the other. “If their free consent is missing or seriously flawed, there is no marriage. In such cases, marriage tribunals may issue a declaration of nullity (an annulment). An annulment does not make a marriage invalid; it simply declares that it always was invalid, despite appearances to the contrary.” (Archbishop Terrence Prendergast SJ, ‘Living God’s Word’). Therefore, any marriage validly entered into with consent freely given and accepted cannot be dissolved. It is in perpetuity till death. It is binding and enduring and remains so for the good of the spouses and the well-being of children. Compatibility and communication, finances, trust, commitment, fidelity, patience, and endurance should be painstakingly discussed and stressed during marriage preparation. When these issues are not adequately treated before the celebration of the sacrament of matrimony, spouses may look for an easy way out by way of divorce, with the excuse that they were not well informed before they gave their consent. 

4.    Jesus addresses the question of divorce in today’s gospel. They asked him, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” He asked them, “What did Moses command you?” They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts, he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.” Married life is not a bed of roses. It is a covenant between two individuals, with their personalities intact, who try to live a life of happiness and bliss together. It can only be possible through tolerance and endurance. St. Paul tells us how marital bliss can be achieved. “Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and handed himself over to her to sanctify her. So husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the Church.” (Eph. 4:21-32).

5.    If husbands and wives must live together in love, peace, and harmony and avoid divorce and the resultant harm and hardships on the children, they must create a conducive environment for love and peace to reign in their family. Since marriage is a sacrament, God will always supply the graces needed for them to thrive. But they must ask for it. Only God will make couples feel hopeful and supported in their marriage. Prayer, the sacrament of reconciliation, and the faithful reception of the Eucharist at Mass must be cultivated. The family that prays together stays together. Selfishness must be avoided by all means, and the ‘I’ and ‘me’ must be substituted for ‘us’ and ‘we.’ Husbands and wives must respect themselves and approach their challenges with calmness, trust, and an abiding love for each other. They must avoid external influences that may corrupt peace and harmony in their homes. They must take their problems to God first before their neighbors. This will ensure a lasting and peaceful coexistence between them. St. Peter has a few words for husbands and wives: “Be of one mind, sympathetic, loving towards one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because of this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.” (1Peter 3:8-9).

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP