Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 24 September 2023 Homily for 24 September 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Isaiah 55: 6-9

The Redeemed!

⁶ Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;

We hear God’s voice in different ways, yet we tend to run away from him like Jonah. Let us turn our ears to the Lord, each time he whispers. We know that he is near the brokenhearted; so in our deepest disappointments, we can find him near! Call upon him and He will answer.

We also thank the Lord that his ways and thoughts are much above ours! Therefore in the little glimpses and whispers that we are blessed to experience, let us absorb and grow through them.

Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18

³ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Alleluia, Amen!

Second Reading: Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a

The Disciplined Athletes!

²⁷ Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.

St. Paul encourages the Philippians here to remain strong in their faith. He ensures them of his prayers and blessings in the previous verses. Then he also asks them to continue to live their lives in a gospel-worthy manner, whether he can visit them or not.

In applying these principles to our lives today, we too are encouraged by St. Paul to continue our journey. We too are then assured of his prayers and blessings on us! Therefore we ought to lead a life “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”! We must strive to do this! In a world that is in opposition to God and His Spirit, we must not be surprised to see the weaknesses, weeds, worries, and more spring upon us. Being humans we carry inherent flaws. But we must acutely be aware of the flaws or else the enemy may seep into unguarded territory and wage war on us spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, and in any way he can.

Hence, as disciplined athlete who perseveres in training, we too must persevere each day. (1 Cor 9: 27) “I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.” Here St. Paul cautions us about our lack of self-control. Let us remain alert in every moment and defend the fortresses of our souls, spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. The gadgets, devices, apps, and gossip; envy, anger, hate, pride, sloth, and cowardice could potentially be used by the evil one to slither in with his nefarious agenda. We must rely on the Goliath-killing stones given to us by the Holy Spirit, (i.e.) the Word of God! We can memorize and repeat the life-saving verses from the Bible. (eg): Luke 10:19. As we mouth those words aloud, we will miraculously find it in us to move about in Christ-like manner. We know of many people in today’s world; who can operate in this fashion. Let us strive to do the same because Faith is what Faith does!

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 20: 1-16a

The 5 O’clock Batch!

⁶ And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’

Do not be envious of others because of God’s generosity to them! Many before us have been martyred for their faith, many saints have borne suffering and pain, much more than we could ever imagine! We could very well be the ones on the 5 O’clock batch! Yet we too have been promised the same redemption in Christ Jesus! We have been blessed! Let us not grudge the salvation Christ has promised to all who will believe in the future! Praise God! Let us rejoice for our salvation and theirs is near!

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 17 September 2023 Homily for 17 September 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Sirach 27: 30 – 28: 7

27:30 Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, yet a sinner holds on to them.

28:6 Remember the end of your life, and set enmity aside; remember corruption and death, and be true to the commandments.

Anger and wrath! Being angry for a reason and at a specific time is not condemned here, but holding on to anger is being called an abomination! By the dictionary definition, abomination means abhorrence, loathing, detestation, or a state of mind of disgust! Imagine God the Almighty who is slow to anger and abounding in mercy would carry a mind of disgust for only one sin: anger and wrath! Yet in today’s world anger is sometimes construed as being powerful! It is rightful to be angry at injustice, immorality, or hate- (check Matthew 21, Mark 11, John 2) where Christ exemplifies this! But being angry for no reason and creating chaos and confusion because one is angry is not acceptable. “In your anger do not sin.” Says the Lord!

While wrath refers to the exhibition of rage and deep resentment! How foolish of a person to willfully display these emotions! A sure way to regulate our anger is to remember the end days as stated above in Sirach 28:6. What angers us can be addressed in a composed manner. We do need to vent our emotions but we must strive to do it in as godly manner as we can! In the gap between the stimulus and our response lies our freedom of choice. We must be prayerful and careful about this. It is our free choice after all! Let us not give up control to the enemy lurking in the corners of our weaknesses! – We know he prowls about seeking our ruin,

Amen, Alleluia!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 103: 1-4, 9-12

¹ Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

⁹ He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. ¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

Alleluia! Amen!

Second Reading: Romans 14: 7-9

 ⁸ If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

If we believe we are the Lord’s, we must live and die to him. May the Holy Spirit remind us each moment, every day about this great mystery of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 18: 21-35

³⁵ So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

A Christian is asked to forgive their brethren, every time they truly repent and turn away from their sin. Yet we are to discern whether it is through genuine repentance that they ask pardon. We can also spiritually forgive those who do not even ask for forgiveness – because we are then liberated of the task! We can then walk in peace.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 10 September 2023 Homily for 10 September 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Ezekiel 33: 7-9

⁷ So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.

The house of Israel today comprises of all those who believe in the one holy Catholic Church. While the sentinels are those who have been entrusted with proclaiming God’s Word, it includes those who read, study, and seek to understand it through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we all are expected to fulfill this task in our own constituencies! If we fail in accomplishing this mission by our own little daily actions; we stand charged for those whom we could have saved! Just by an act of omission or failure to listen to his prompting of speaking up or taking action, we stand judged!

Let us realize the gravity of our words and actions, as we speak and do the bidding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-9

O that today you would listen to his voice! ⁸ Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, ⁹ when your ancestors tested me, and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

Permit me to listen and obey, O Lord! Amen, Alleluia!

Second Reading: Romans 13: 8-10

¹⁰ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

If we love our neighbor and wish them no harm, we will fulfill the law? Well yes, it is that simple! But is it really simple? Beginning with love for the neighbor, first, we must have that love within us so that we can share of it. If we know ourselves as God knows us, we will begin to truly love ourselves. But it is quite the opposite most of the time – because we entertain the deceit of the devil, we stop loving ourselves! When our cup is full and overflowing only can we share the love for neighbor. When our hearts are full of the love that Jesus provides, we are composed with quiet strength. It is only from this stance, that we will love our neighbor.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 18: 15-20

¹⁸ Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

In speaking to his disciples, Christ speaks to us today as his present-day sentinels! We cannot ignore his call now or we will be judged! Taking up from the first reading where we are called to alert others, here Christ further lays down the steps for reconciliation. But having followed all of the steps, if one still refuses to listen; Christ clearly states how we are to deal with them. Alert, Love, take measures to reconcile, and if they still persist in their ways; we are to treat them like the Gentiles and the tax-collectors of old! Now we take a look at how Jesus treated tax collectors: today’s Gospel author was one of them! Another example was Zacchaeus from the sycamore tree! (Luke 19:1-10) Jesus went and dined in their homes, called them, and converted them!

But we are not Jesus! It is very difficult to treat those stubborn ones like Jesus would! Yet, we ought to try! “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) The question is whether we are willing to try! We must remember that the daily bread we pray for in the “Our Father” includes the bread of spiritual strength. At the end of the day, the Lord knows our hearts and our intentions! The ‘Zacchaeus’ or the ‘Matthew’ response may not occur at our bidding, but when we do it in the name of Jesus we must believe it will materialize!

He preached to the Gentiles too and those who believed in Him, humbly asking for healing; He healed! Eg: (Matt 15:28) the Canaanite woman, was rejected at first but her perseverant and humble faith; earned her the miracle. Other examples are the Centurion (Matt 8:5-13), the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-42), one of the ten lepers who were healed (Luke 17:11-18), and more. But the common response seen in all the above examples is the humility, repentance, and reparation expressed by the ones who received their healing and/or conversion! In the absence of repentance and reparation, even God does not heal/save anyone! Therefore, we ought to stay humble and repentant!

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Also Read: Mass Readings for 03 September 2023 Homily for 03 September 2023 – Sunday

First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 7-9

9 If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

In a world that is rapidly communicating and not necessarily about facts; we may find ourselves in a lonely position when we voice the truth. Nevertheless, we must stand our ground. Being disciples of Christ, we must always stand for him and the values he has entrusted us with.  

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 63: 2-6, 8-9

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

Amen!

Second Reading: Romans 12: 1-2

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We may live here on the earth but we are not to be of this world. It is a challenging time for us right now but we must persevere in our path. Through Jesus, we have the victory.

Amen!

Gospel: Matthew 16: 21-27

26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

Christ tells us that living as a disciple is not an easy task. We are to live in vigilant preparedness as we wage an ongoing battle in our minds, hearts, souls, and spirit. There is an expected opposition to our way of functioning but we are not to lose heart. We can be encouraged through the Holy Eucharist, the Word of God, and prayer. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen!