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

July 19, 2026. 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: Wisdom 12:13,16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-30

 

The Bastard Wheat

There is a parable about Good and Evil. One day, Good and Evil met upon the shore of the sea. They said to each other, “Let us disrobe and bathe in the sea.” After they bathed in the sea for some time, Evil came to the shore, clothed itself with the Good’s garment, and walked away. Later, Good too came out and found that Evil had taken away its clothes. Feeling ashamed to go naked, Good garmented itself with the Evil’s clothes. To this day, both Good and Evil walk around in their disguised clothes. Only those who know the face of Good and Evil can identify their true nature despite the garments.

 

Today’s readings demonstrate the problem of evil in the world. We know of its presence. We see it every day. We read about it, not just in history books, but witness it in our streets, at home, in church, in our neighborhood, and in the nations of the world. How do we explain the manifestation of evil all around us? A young man went into the grocery store, spat into bottles of iced tea, and laughed about it. A young woman spits on food items in another grocery store, licks butter, and scoops ice cream into her mouth. Many other atrocities abound in social media. What about the man who sets a dog’s tail on fire and delights himself as the dog writhes in pain? Or those who tell lies about their neighbors or shoot and kill human beings just for the fun of it. Or taking the lives of unborn children in the womb; setting a house on fire and watching with glee as the occupants suffocate and die; or intentionally manipulating figures to look good after mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. We sometimes feel like Bob Marley and the Wailers, who in 1973 sang, “Stop that train, I’m leaving.” No wonder the rich want to get out of the world and move to Mars. It makes us question the effectiveness of the Gospel and the labors of missionaries and religious leaders in our country and beyond. Has Christianity failed? G.K. Chesterton would say, "No, Christianity hasn’t failed; it just has never been tried. For if enough people lived the Gospel message in its fullness, the difference would be clear.

 

The parable of the Weed and the Wheat teaches us that saints and sinners must coexist in the world. After all, they were both created by God, out of love. The weed, or darnel, was so indistinguishable from wheat in its early stages of growth that it was called bastard wheat. One may uproot the wheat in an attempt to uproot the weed. The farmer must therefore wait patiently till harvest time. The wheat and the weed must be allowed to grow together till the end. According to the first reading from the book of Wisdom, “You (God) taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.” No matter how bad the world may be, there is still hope for those who have faith. And so, St. Paul, in the second reading, enjoins us to ask the Spirit for assistance in prayers. We are weak; on our own, we can do nothing good. But “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. And the one who searches hearts knows what the intention of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.”

 

Today’s readings teach us that there is a hostile power in the world competing with the power to do good. The power of evil always seeks to destroy the good in us. Evil can disguise and fool us like darnel weed and the wheat. They looked exactly alike in their shape and size. There was only a slight color variation. But when eaten, the darnel was poisonous. This can make us mistake evil for good. St. Paul exclaimed, “For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.” (Rom. 7:19). But trusting in the mercy of God, Paul overcame his weaknesses. Therefore, we must be on our guard so that evil may not overpower us. We are also reminded that it is not always easy to distinguish between those who wish us well and those who seek to destroy us. It’s not written on our faces the intentions of our hearts.

 

This is why we should be on our guard. When the servants, in the parable, asked the Master, “Did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy had done this.” Who is your enemy, who is ready to plant bad seed in your farm? They are those who laugh with and eat with you, who you confide in, but who tell your business to the whole world. They will block your promotion and make up stories about you. They are your trusted friends who tell you how much they care for you. But they are just waiting for you to fall asleep, so that they will plant weed among your wheat. They intend to destroy you. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside are ravenous wolves. They hate because they are jealous of your achievements, your children, and everything you are and own. They come to you as friends so that they may have easy access to your life and know just where to hit and destroy you. They are in the church, in your office, and in your neighborhood. Beware of them! Someone may appear to be good to you but is in fact the devil incarnate, and those you think are evil may indeed be good.

 

Today’s parable also teaches us that judgment belongs to God, and yet he is slow to anger but rich in mercy. Hence, the first reading says, “But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you.” At the end, evil will be overcome, because there is a seed of destruction in every demon. It has a day of reckoning and will sooner or later destroy itself. On the Day of Judgment, a day of harvest, it will be gathered and burnt. It doesn’t matter how long evil will triumph in the world; one day it will meet its end, and the children of light will shine like the stars of heaven. So, this parable warns us against judging people. It is wrong to be quick to judge and condemn people without knowing the facts about them. Do not judge someone by one single act or stage in life. People must be given the benefit of the doubt. Judgment cannot come until the end of our lives. In the end, the judgment of God will come on all sinners. Hence, swift and jungle justice are not the solution for a composite being like man. A man can have a change of mind and heart at any time. All judgments must be left in God’s domain, for if you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord who can stand? May the Holy Spirit aid us as we pursue a life of holiness and justice and recognize the hidden enemies of our lives.  Amen.

 

                            Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

July 12, 2026. 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23

The Power of the Word

1.     Today, Jesus tells a parable of a Sower who went out to sow his seed and the four types of soil that received the seed. The Sower is God, who created us out of love and planted the seed of faith in our hearts. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will endure.” (Jn. 15:16). God’s gift is bestowed on us gratuitously. It is a free gift – a blessing and grace completely unmerited. If we cooperate with God’s gift of faith, God will change and transform us. The soil stands for the different hearts that receive God’s word. Each person must accept or reject God’s offer of grace.

 

2.     In the first reading, Isaiah the prophet pleads with the captives in Babylon. He assured them that God would bring them out of bondage, after years in captivity, to their homeland in God’s own time. Many of them doubted. They gave in to despondency and despair, turning their backs on God. So, Isaiah compared the word of God to rain and snow that have the power to keep the world green and alive. God’s promises will come true in their time. “Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:2-4). God’s word came true indeed. After roughly 50 years in exile, the children of Israel were liberated by the Persians, who destroyed the Babylonian Empire and allowed them to return home. Like Isaiah compared the word of God to rain and snow, Jesus compares God’s word today to the seed planted by the Sower.

 

3.      How we react to God’s word is sometimes determined by our socio-cultural environments. At times, the situations we find ourselves in may affect our response to God’s grace. According to St Paul, in the second reading, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” Being aware of human suffering, Paul tells us to imagine the human and created world as being involved in one giant act of giving birth: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains.” Then he added, “We ourselves…grown inwardly while we wait for… the redemption of our bodies.” Paul believed redemption would take place in the kingdom of God on a day when all people would see themselves as adopted children of God.  The word of God will help us to achieve this goal. For “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17). Therefore, we must be disposed and willing to put his word into practice. Hence, the story of the Sower.

4.     The parable presents four responses to the generosity of the Sower. Note that in only one case was the word rejected outright. In the other three cases, it was received with joy. The problem is not in receiving the word, but in treasuring and putting it into practice. Thus, there are different ways of accepting God’s word, and the fruit that it produces depends on the heart of the one who accepts it. The fate of any spoken word depends on the hearer. (a) The seed on the path is those who lack the moral disposition necessary for true conversion. They hear the word without understanding. They ask no questions and have no time to study what they do not understand. As soon as they received the word, they cast it by the wayside. They allow pride and prejudice to shut the word from their hearts. They are unteachable and blind to the fact that they do not know. They harden their hearts, close their eyes to the truth, and turn their backs on the word. As birds feast on seed, so does the devil feast on their weak faith and snatch the word from their fickle hearts. (b) The second seed falls on rocky ground that has little soil. Here, one may profess faith in the Lord, but such spirituality is shallow and superficial. These people are emotional and are swept off their feet as soon as they hear the word. They fail to think things out and through. They are at the mercy of every new and crazy idea. Their lives are littered with things they began and never finished. When this attitude is applied to the word of God, one faces disaster in one’s spiritual life. They mistake emotional attraction for deep faith. No one lives on emotion. We have minds, and it is a moral obligation to have an intelligent faith. Christianity has its demands, and these must be faced before it can be accepted. The Christian offer is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. A sudden enthusiasm can always so quickly become a dying fire.

 

5.     (c) The third seed fails to grow because thorns choke it to death. Here is someone who cannot let go and let God rule his life. In his order of priorities, God does not rank very high. Prestige, power, possession, and pride take precedence. This person has so many interests in life that they skewed their priorities completely. He is too busy to pray, too preoccupied with material things, with family life, work, business, and other social activities in the community. Reading the bible or finding time for spiritual things becomes a distraction. And going to Mass is an interruption or, at best, a disturbance to his Sunday schedule. He may be so involved in committees and good works of charitable services that it leaves him no time for himself or for God. He is so involved in the work of the Lord that he forgets the Lord of the work. We must be careful not to block God out of our busy lives. (d) The fourth seed sprouts and produces a rich harvest. The word of God penetrates a person’s entire being and permeates his whole existence. The yield is bountiful in love and compassion, in honesty and a simple lifestyle, and concern for the dejected and the downtrodden. This person has an open mind; he is willing to learn and prepared to listen. He is never too proud or too busy to listen and to learn. He understands the importance of taking advice and counsel from wise friends and knows the value of good spiritual reading. He translates what he hears into action and produces the good fruit of the good seed! Four seeds, one Sower. The real hearers are those who listen, who understand, and who obey. They yield a harvest through their perseverance.

6.     Today’s readings call us to action. They remind us that God’s word will bear fruit abundantly regardless of how it is received. His word has power and can help us live better lives. “Indeed, 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. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” (Heb. 4:12-13). Let us pray that we may “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

 

July 5, 2026. 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9,11-13; Matthew 11:25-30

 

Come to me all who Labor!

1.    In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to learn from him so that we may have rest for our souls. He speaks of the mutual knowledge of wisdom between Him and God and invites the weary to come to him for refreshment. Jesus urges us to learn humility from him. This is reechoed in today’s first reading. “See, your king shall come to you; a just Savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.” The vision of Zechariah the prophet was such that God would raise a ruler in the Davidic line, anointing him to carry out a universal mission of peace and reconciliation. According to him, this mighty king would be poor and committed to peace (humble and riding on a donkey) rather than to war (riding on a horse). And yet this king of peace was doubted and rejected, even by his closest associates. John the Baptist wondered whether Jesus was the one “Who is to come” whom he proclaimed. (Matt. 11:1-15).

 

2.    Despite his rejection, Jesus is full of praise to God, because the proud and the haughty, the Rabbis and the wise rejected him, but the poor, the humble, the meek and the gentle, even children, embraced and clung to his words. Christ rejoiced at the revelation that his apostles chose to follow him. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of everlasting life. Christ rejected intellectual pride, which made it difficult for his simple teaching of love and mercy to be accepted. To follow Christ in his simplicity, we must do so with our hearts, not our heads. William Barclay observed that “It is not cleverness which shuts out; it is pride. It is not stupidity that admits; it is humility. A man may be as wise as Solomon, but if he has not the simplicity, the trust, the innocence of the childlike heart, he shuts himself out.” The simple, the humble, the poor, and children are closer to the heart of God; they will inherit the earth. Our prayer should bring us closer to God. The more we pray, the humbler we should become. When we learn humility and compassion, we must demonstrate them in our relationships with people around us.

 

3.    Christ invites us to “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Is the burden you bear too heavy for you? It is not from God. Christ knows our life’s burden may seem insurmountable. We are weary, indeed. We worry about political and economic uncertainties; we may be concerned about our jobs, or sickness in the family, and the burden of caring for elderly parents. It may be the difficulty of scoring high grades in school or peer pressure at work. Our weariness may be the responsibility of directing others as parents, teachers, or supervisors. It may be loneliness or caring for others. No matter the weariness we may feel or the burden we bear, Jesus invites us, “Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28).

 

4.    The fact that the poor and the lowly are God’s blessed ones does not mean they are free from the weariness and burdens of human life. In fact, they often suffer more than the rich and the powerful. But all of us, rich or poor, strong or weak, have our share of weariness and burdens. We all feel fatigue from hard work. We feel boredom, which comes from vague dissatisfaction with life, and we, at one point or another, have moments of depression. Christ invites us all, regardless of our situation. He doesn’t expect us to carry the burden of life alone. Do not be afraid, he tells us. Like the yoke that two animals carry, Christ will carry our burdens with us. He assures us, I am with you always till the end of time. “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. See, upon the palms of my hands I have written your name.” (Is. 49:15-16). He tells us, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33).

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

June 28, 2026. 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Readings: 2 Kings 4:8-12, 14-16; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42

 

The Difficulty of Discipleship.

1.     Last Sunday, we listened to Jesus as he gave his apostles instructions before they were sent out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He made it clear that their journey would be anything but easy. They were to expect the worst but hoped for the best. He told them not to fear those who could only kill the body but had no power to cast the soul into hell. God controlled their lives and knew even the number of hairs on their heads. Today, as Jesus concludes his address, he warned, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” These are hard words! Christ stressed, in no small way, the difficulty of discipleship. Our call to discipleship means a clean break from family ties, blood relationships, and encumbrances with worldly things. We must die to ourselves so that we may live for Christ. Therefore, our mission responsibility should be our number one priority. Our priority should be the cross of our Lord, while depending entirely on the generosity of the people we are sent to.

 

2.     As I read these instructions, I think of my work in the Banjul Diocese of the Gambia. It was tough. I had to learn a new language and struggled with a different culture. But that was nothing compared to what the St. Patrick Fathers (SPS) from Ireland, who brought Christianity to my region in Nigeria, endured. They survived hardships of a magnitude proportion in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There were no roads, pipe-borne water, electricity, hospitals, schools, churches, or rectories. They fought to stay alive against malaria, influenza, and cholera; many died a few weeks after arrival. They struggled with the language, the tribal people, the elements, and the harsh environments and weather conditions. Gradually, however, they built rectories, churches, schools, and hospitals. They taught the children not just religion but also provided them with the best education at that time. They died to themselves to give us a new life. Thanks to them, many are priests today, following in their footsteps to give others what they received. They proved that the best life is the life lived for others. In sacrificing for others, we give a meaningful life of peace and tranquility. 

 

3.     Today’s Gospel clearly states that missionary work cannot be undertaken by everyone in the same way. But all are called to be missionaries, regardless. Some people support the mission work financially, spiritually, and morally, while others give of themselves. Missionaries respond to the call to leave homes and families to bring the Gospel to people in foreign lands. Without the sending and the receiving Church, mission work would be impossible. A disciple is one sent; therefore, churches must be open to receive and support missionary disciples. In receiving them, they receive Jesus and the Father who sent him. Christ reiterates: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” Those who show hospitality to missionaries will be rewarded. These are Jesus’ words: “Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of a righteous person.” 

 

4.     Every Christian must take an active part in responding to the mission of the church.  We must respond to the divine mandate of Christ to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 28:19). The story of Elisha’s meeting with the wealthy, though childless, woman of Shunem, in the first reading, illustrated how God has always rewarded generosity to those engaged in divine mission. She and her husband were promised a child because of their generosity to Elisha, the man of God. ‘One good turn deserves another,’ indeed! We can change the world through our generosity. We may not know what acts of kindness will change the lives of people we meet daily, but God knows. Our sporadic acts of kindness are all we need to bring transformation to the people we encounter.

 

5.      Our Lord promised a reward for our kindness to those who answered the call to be missionaries: his disciples, his eyes, and ears in the world. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap.” (Lk. 6:38). Human generosity will always be rewarded with divine superabundance. Open your hearts to God’s children who need your help. Whatever you give, be it water, food, words of prayer, words of encouragement, a listening ear, a ride to the doctor, or assistance to missionaries anywhere in the world, is a good deed done to God. Your reward may not be today, but it will certainly come one day. Though you may undergo suffering and deprivation in the process, let it be your participation in the cross of Christ. 

 

6.     Let us pray with St. Francis: “O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; in dying that we are born to eternal life.” Amen 

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.