Sunday, October 18, 2026

 

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, October 18, 2026

(Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21)

Just as the year is drawing to a close, our reading of the Gospel according to St. Matthew is ending. Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem where he will be executed in a few days. He has criticized the leadership of the Jewish people for their failure to lead the people to holiness. In fact, he has told three parables accusing the leadership of exploiting their offices for wealth and power. We witnessed all of this in the Gospels of the last three Sundays.

In today's Gospel, the leaders want revenge. They not only seek to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the people but also to have him crucified by the Roman government. They send the Pharisees and the Herodians to catch him in a treasonous slip of the tongue. His enemies disguise their intentions when they encounter him with flattering words: “Teacher, we know that you are sincere and teach truthfully… you don’t seek anyone’s favor.” In the Gospel of Matthew, anyone who calls Jesus “teacher” is his enemy. Judas will do so twice; the Pharisees and Herodians do it here.

His opponents pose to Jesus the now-famous question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” Jesus is caught between a rock and a hard place. If he answers that they shouldn’t pay the tax, the Herodians—collaborators with the Romans—will report that he is inciting sedition. After all, paying taxes is a Roman law. But if he says they should pay it, the Pharisees will inform the people that Jesus supports the Romans. This would cause the people to abandon him since Rome’s presence in Israel is deeply resented. With keen insight, Jesus uncovers their plan. He doesn’t answer the question directly. Rather, he frustrates his opponents by stating the obvious: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” In fact, he puts them on the defensive when he asks for a coin. They carry the coin with Caesar’s image, indicating that they, not Jesus, willingly cooperate with the emperor.

Nevertheless, we are left with the questions: What do we owe to the state? And, what do we owe God? The state requires the virtue of patriotism from us. This is to say, we owe obedience to the state’s laws, informed participation in its elections, and military service in defense of peace. To God, our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer, we owe everything. We owe Him even patriotism because, according to St. Paul, God establishes governments to maintain order among the people. We can express our debt to God in three phrases. We owe Him truth in all that we say, service in all that we do, and love in all that we desire.

Very well. We should pay taxes, fight in wars, and obey the laws. But what if the taxes are exorbitant, the war is declared rashly, and the laws are patently unjust? To what extent are we obligated to serve the state? We pray every day, “…  lead us not into temptation,” to avoid such difficult situations. But if they befall us, we hope that we can act with prudence and fortitude. We want to give glory to God as we show ourselves opposed to injustice.

Friday, October 16, 2026

 

Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ephesians 1:11-14; Luke 12:1-7)

Once, not too many years ago, Christians were urged to ask themselves, “If it were a crime to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence around to convict me?”  The presupposition was that for some people religion is a matter as private as their age.  They will not reveal their transcendent beliefs to anyone outside the circle of their most intimate friends.  Jesus would have his followers do more in today’s gospel.

He tells his disciples not to be afraid when others learn of their devotion to him.  As a matter of fact, he says, their allegiance to him will inevitably be revealed.  It may cost them their lives but will also bring them inestimable glory.  They will become true children of the Father and inhabitants of his Kingdom.

For a similar reason Jesus warns us to fear opposing the will of his Father.  Doing so, we will be ejected from His kingdom and left alone in a cold, dark place.  God’s love for us is immeasurable, and He wants us to be with Him.  However, God also respects our choices in life.

Thursday, October 15, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

(Ephesians 1:1-10; Luke 11:47-54)

St. Paul certainly knew Ephesus.  He founded the Christian community there and returned to serve it for almost three years.  But did Paul write the Letter to the Ephesians?  Most scholars today say “no.”  The letter indicates a milieu of twenty years or so after the apostle’s martyrdom.  Its references to the Church speak of a universal ministry, not a local community.  Nevertheless, the letter touches on a few themes like Christian ministry that Paul treated in his undisputed letters.

Today’s passage opens the letter.  The writer blesses God for having sent the world Jesus Christ.  He gives special thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice bringing redemption to those who believe.  He further claims that Christ revealed God’s mysterious plan to save the world through the Church. Toward its end the letter advises Christians on how to live as God’s adopted children. 

The letter’s origin as an epistle from Paul of Tarsus may be spurious, but not its value or truth.  Contemplating its contents and living its instructions, we will reach the salvation it heralds.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

 

Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 5:18-25; Luke 11:42-46)

Children used to be told not to walk over graves in cemeteries.  It was considered an insult to the dead person. Those who violated the custom were taken to be careless and disrespectful.  Evidently the prohibition went back thousands of years.  It is understood in Jesus’ calling the Pharisees “unseen graves” in today’s gospel.  The Lord is telling the Pharisees that they unwittingly make anyone who comes close to them seem crass and uncaring.

Jesus’ basic criticism of the Pharisees and the legal scholars is that they are blind to what is truly important.  He is trying to open their eyes to see how their concern over the niceties of customs offends not only innocent people but also God.  His remarks are strong but necessary.  As Flannery O’Connor wrote, “… to the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind you draw large and startling figures".

Religiously inclined persons should check themselves regularly to see if they are like the Pharisees.  We may like to be seen as sinless and much better than average human beings.  It would be wrong, of course, to heedlessly violate manners and customs.  But we should openly recognize that we too struggle at times to do what is right.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

(Ephesians 2:12-22; Luke 12:35-38)

An article in the newspaper caught Sr. Gerard Fernandes’ eye.  The report told of a criminal court assigning the death penalty to three Satanists who kidnapped and killed two children.  Sr. Gerard recognized one of the three as a former student, Tan Mooy Choo.  She went to the prison to meet with Mooy Choo, but the criminal refused to meet with her, not just once but many times.  Finally, after six months the prisoner consented to a meeting.  The first question Mooy Choo asked her visitor was, “How can you still love me after I have done such a cruel thing?” Sr. Gerard responded by saying how Jesus has mercy toward all sinners.  Gradually Mooy Choo repented and received the sacraments.  The night before her execution, she told Sr. Gerard: “Tomorrow morning I will see the face of my God.  When I get there, the first thing I will talk about will be you, Sister.”

As the Letter to the Ephesians tells us today, Christ is our peace.  He brings together those who are far off and those who are near.  As we face those who are distant from us through an offense or through prejudice, we can turn to him for help.  He is the olive branch, the white flag of truce, and the sacrament of reconciliation who brings us peace with the Father and with one another. 

 

Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 5:1-6; Luke 11:37-41)

In the homes of pious Mexican families, an altar is often present.  It will typically have images of Jesus and Mary along with pictures of deceased loved ones.  The altar is a way of extending the life of prayer in church to the home.  In Jesus’ time Pharisees would wash before meals for a similar reason.  Washing oneself before eating imitates the ablutions of animals before being sacrificed in the Temple.  It reminds house members and guests of their offering of self to God.  For good reason, then, the Pharisee in today’s gospel is surprised when Jesus does not wash as he goes to eat.

Because the washing is not required in the Law, Jesus is not bound to do it.  However, he uses the look of surprise on the Pharisee’s face to give a lesson on spiritual cleanliness.  He says that inner purification through almsgiving forgives more sin than washing of hands and feet.  He wants his disciples to practice charity, not to worry about popular ritualistic practices.

This doesn’t mean that we should go to church with dirty hands unless, perhaps, it was in helping a homeless person that we dirtied them.  In any case, we should try to keep in mind the needs of others and much as our own needs.

Monday, October 12, 2026

 

Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 4:22-24.26-27.32-5:1; Luke 11:29-32)

What is the freedom that St. Paul writes of in today’s first reading?  Is it merely the absence of shackles?  Paul has something greater in mind than that since he says that Christ has freed us.  The freedom here is to be the ability to fulfill the Christian destiny of eternal life.  Christ won the possibility of achieving it by his incarnation and paschal experience.  Nevertheless, humans must choose to run the course of freedom -- which is to say living justly -- every day. 

Some say that Christians are not free if out of necessity they live justly.  These people, however, miss the point.  When Christians live justly, they know that they will achieve what is most valuable in life.  They are at least as free as the super gymnast who willingly trains six hours a day so that she can win a medal at the Olympics.

Paul mentions the possibility of slipping back into slavery.  We could do this by abandoning the challenge of righteous living.  If we slack off on our efforts to follow Christ, we will not fulfill our destiny.  We will lose the possibility of eternal life like the athlete who suspends training forfeits her chance for a medal.  But the task is not as hard as it sometimes feels.  Christ remains with us to help.

Sunday, October 11, 2026

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Isaiah 25:6-10; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14)

We see another parable in today's Gospel. Perhaps it's better to say we see two parables. The first is the story of the banquet a king held for his son's wedding. The second takes place during the banquet when a man arrives without a wedding garment. It seems separate from the main story because it has a different purpose. Before we look closely at these stories, let's review our knowledge of parables.

The word parable means comparison. To understand something unknown, the parable teller compares it to something well known. For example, to discover the greatness of the Kingdom of God, Jesus says it is like a pearl of great price. Parables can be as short as a phrase or even a word or as long as the story of the prodigal son. Jesus was a genius at telling parables, whether short or long. His parables captured people's attention. But more importantly, they moved people to reconsider their approach to life. Take the parable of the Good Samaritan. A teacher of the Law asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus tells the parable of the Samaritan who saved the life of the man attacked by robbers. Jesus asks the teacher who the man's neighbor was. The teacher, who undoubtedly hated Samaritans, had to admit that the neighbor was a member of the hated people. Upon hearing this parable, we must rethink our approach to the peoples we resent.

In today's Gospel, the parable of the king's banquet is a very similar allegory to last Sunday's parable. The king is God. The wedding banquet is the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven where Jesus accepts the Church as his bride. The first servants are the prophets, and the second are the apostles. The invited guests are the Jews who refuse to accept Jesus as God’s Messiah. Finally, the people on the roads are the non-Jews, the Gentiles, who accept Jesus and are baptized. The purpose of the parable is to say that for the most part, it will be only the Gentiles, and not the Jews, who will enjoy the banquet of the Kingdom.

The second parable tells of what happens during the banquet. The man who enters the banquet without wedding clothes is thrown out. “That’s not fair,” we might think. “He was probably so poor he didn’t have a wedding garment.” However, the excuse is invalid because wedding clothes were readily available. The wedding garment represents the good works that are required to have a place at the banquet in heaven. Even if a person is baptized, a place at the heavenly banquet is not guaranteed. They must feed the hungry and visit the sick, et cetera to enjoy eternal life.

Those who want to watch football or soap operas seven nights a week should pay attention to this parable. Yes, rest and recreation are necessary for our natural life. However, it is also necessary to help those in need to have eternal life. Yes, marriage is necessary to satisfy our carnal desires. However, it is also necessary for married couples to support each other emotionally and spiritually. Likewise, both must cooperate in raising their children.

Life is complex. We often want to navigate it by doing what most people do. Unfortunately, most people do what is comfortable and convenient, not what has eternal value. Jesus told parables to shake us out of this complacency. They show us God's ways that lead us to the heavenly banquet. They are not as difficult to live as we think, because we have Jesus as our guide's companion.

Friday, October 9, 2026

 

Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 3:7-14; Luke 11:15-26)

In today’s first reading St. Paul warns the Galatians about “works of the Law.”  He is not talking about good deeds done to benefit others.  Rather he has in mind the physical rites of Judaism like circumcision and continual ablutions.  He says that these are unnecessary and even counterproductive in light of Christ.  What saves people – he implores -- is faith.  He will expand that remedy later in the letter -- “faith working through love.”

In the gospel Jesus preaches along the same line. He tells the crowd gathered as he drove out a demon the story of a similar expulsion.  He says that when an evil spirit is driven out, it looks for an opportunity to reenter the poor soul along with companions.  When the victim tidies up his soul with physical trappings but no works of charity for God’s sake, the demons attack.  They march in like locusts in a wheat field to cause more harm than before.

Physical trappings for us may be wearing a rosary around our necks and continual genuflections in front of the altar.  These actions are not bad in themselves, but they lack the power to save.  Only as much as they foster “faith working through love” can they lead us to God’s Kingdom.

Thursday, October 8, 2026

 

Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 3:1-5; Luke 11:5-13)

People often wonder why God does not seem to answer their prayers.  After all, Jesus promises in today’s gospel that the one who asks, will receive.  To illustrate what he means, he adds that one has only to knock, and the door will be opened to her.

Jesus has also just told a parable indicating that the prayer must be persistent.  The neighbor asking bread is not assisted until he repeatedly makes the request.  Persistence indicates the person’s need that a request be granted.  More importantly, it shows the faith of the petitioner in the goodwill of the one asked.

Persistence is not always required.  God often grants a request that is sincerely made.  We should not hesitate to ask for anything that is truly beneficial and needed.  As Jesus indicates, our Father in heaven is anxious to help us.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

 Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

(Galatians 2:1-2.7-14; Luke 11:1-4)

In his wartime memoir, Flight to Arras, Antione de Saint-Exupéry compares the concentration of a Dominican friar at prayer to the intensity of Louis Pasteur looking through a microscope.  Saint-Exupéry wants to emphasize that although both postures seem to be passive, in truth neither is.  Both contemplative and scientist are fully alive although neither makes any outward movement.  In today’s gospel Jesus exhibits the same fullness of purpose as he prays to the Father.

As he does often in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is seen praying.  His prayer attracts the attention of one of his disciples.  The understudy asks Jesus to teach him and his cohort how to pray.  Jesus then relates a shortened version of what is known as the “Our Father” or “The Lord’s Prayer.”

When we are at prayer, it is all too likely that what Jesus says with intensity, we pass over without much thought.  We must make more effort to take Jesus’ own words to heart.  “Our Father” – God loves us as much as any father has loved his child. “Hallowed be they name” – we love you in turn so much that we want his fame spread throughout the world.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

 

Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 1:13-24; Luke 10:38-42)

As much as people look for God, God is finding them.  Both readings today testify to God calling on people.  In the first reading St. Paul tells how he was persecuting Christians when the resurrected Christ appeared to him.  Since it is the personal testimony of someone who saw the risen Lord, the account is of significant apologetical value.  However, Paul does not elaborate about what happened beyond saying that it led to his proclamation of Christ to Gentiles.

In the gospel Jesus visits Martha and Mary in their home.  They are evidently friends as Martha does not hesitate to complain to him.  Indeed, they seem to be such good friends that Jesus can correct Martha’s crankiness without reservations.  Meanwhile, Mary knows that when the Lord comes, people should drop everything to listen.  No matter if dinner is ready on the stove or if the dryer buzzer has just rung, Jesus deserves full attention.

Jesus comes to us especially in the Eucharist.  But he also arrives throughout the day at unexpected moments.  He may say something important to us through the friendly mail carrier.  Or perhaps when we face a setback, he will console us if we offer a prayer instead of a curse.  He is always near and will make himself apparent if we open ourselves to him.

Monday, October 5, 2026

 

Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Galatians 1:6-12; Luke 10:25-37)

A few years ago, the distinguished New York Times columnist, David Brooks, startled his readers with a confession.  Raised a Jew, Brooks wrote that he has come to believe in Jesus Christ as the way of life.  His Jewish friends told him that he must choose between Judaism and Christianity.  They were presenting Brooks with a similar option that St. Paul makes to the Galatians in today’s first reading.

Although Paul taught the Galatians that salvation comes through Christ, some have accepted an added requirement.  Other Christian preachers have insisted that circumcision is necessary.  They likely preached that since Jesus was a Jew, to follow him means to become a Jew as well.  In terms as blunt as a hammer, Paul refutes this idea.  All that is necessary – he says toward the end of the letter -- is “faith working through love.”

No Christian preacher today recommends circumcision as necessary for salvation.  However, people ceaselessly promote other extraneous practices.  The rosaries and other devotions serve good purposes, but none is necessarily a prerequisite for salvation.  It will always be “faith working through love,” sacramentalized in Baptism, that saves us.

Sunday, October 4, 2026

 

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43)

We see another parable in today’s gospel.  It may seem as forgettable as last week’s story of the man with two sons.  However, both are helpful when understood for all their worth.  The two parables are directed to the same audience. Jesus is debating with the religious leaders of Jerusalem.  He is telling them that God is replacing their regime because they have not guided the people to justice.  In the words of today’s gospel, they have not given to the Lord his produce.

Today’s parable of the landowner and the tenants is an allegory.  Allegories are stories in which every character and object stands for some a person and object in real life. When Nathan the prophet told King David the story of the rich man who had the poor man’s only ewe slaughtered, he was making an allegory.  David, of course, was the rich man; the soldier Uriah was the poor man; and the ewe was Uriah’s beautiful wife, Bethsheba. 

The allegory of the tenants is more complicated.  The vineyard is the Kingdom of God given to tenants, the Jewish leaders, so that they might produce fruit, a righteous people.  However, the Jewish leaders have failed in this task.  Instead of living justly themselves, they have killed the landowner’s servants, the prophets, and will have His son, Jesus himself, crucified.  Now the kingdom is being taken from the Jews and given to new tenants, the gentiles.  It is hoped that these non-Jews will produce true righteousness. 

The gentiles of the story are our ancestors. They are the non-Jewish peoples who received the gospel from missionaries like St. Paul. Therefore, we might ask ourselves if we are producing justice. Perhaps it would be best if each of us asked himself or herself individually.  Using the edifying words of St. Paul in today’s second reading, am I doing “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious … (and) worthy of praise”?

It can be assumed that we receive at Sunday Mass the help we need to live according to St. Paul’s high standards. Do we keep them in mind the Word of God and the commentary by the priest and live their lessons seven days a week? I fear that many of us will often fail this test.

We come to church on Sunday to visit God in his holy temple. But, during the week, do we visit the sick and imprisoned? At the very least, do we telephone them?  We put five or ten dollars in the collection for parish needs?  But do we set aside any money for the poor and distressed?  We may read or perform other services at Mass, but what service do we offer for the benefit of our community during the week?

Indeed, there are thousands of needs we can address. To fulfill Paul's norms, we should accomplish at least one. But perhaps we don't have time to do much. We may be busy with studies or must work two jobs. Then let us at least fulfill our primary responsibilities diligently. Let us not distance ourselves from our families but rather give them as much attention and support as possible. Let us be honest at our jobs by giving an hour of work for every hour we are paid.  One thing more, to live honorably we must be respectful and truthful with everyone.

Lastly, of course, we pray on Sunday at church.  Do we also pray during the week?  We don't mean just grace before dinner or the rosary at night. Rather do we communicate with God as our friend throughout the day.  We can ask His help to be faithful Christians. Regular conversation with Him will make us, as St. Paul advises, “true and “honorable” in everything. God is always present to us so that we may be righteous in all we say and do.

Friday, October 2, 2026

 

Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

(Job 28:12-21.40:3-5; Matthew 18:1-5.10)

St. Augustine famously said to his people: "I am fearful of what I am for you, but I draw strength from what I am with you. For you I am a bishop, and with you I am a Christian. The former designates an office received, the latter the foundation of salvation." Obviously, Augustine did not take his office of a bishop as merely a privilege.  Rather, he also saw it as an onerous responsibility placed upon him.  It meant correcting people when they were thinking erroneously and providing basic resources when they experienced material need.  It would not be unfair to call Augustine’s duties like being a Guardian Angel to his congregation.

Guardian Angels specify God’s love.  He takes care of humans by setting their hearts on the supreme good, which is Himself.  He also provides them with physical sustenance.  In the gospel Jesus speaks of children having angels in heaven charged with these tasks. But that does not exclude the possibility of God extending such personal care to everyone.  After all, all humans are God’s children.

Today we give thanks to God for His constant and unsurpassable love personalized in the Guardian Angels.  The graciousness of God’s watching over us with angels should prompt us to take similar care of one another.

Thursday, October 1, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

(Job 19:21-27; Luke 10:1-12)

The sending in today’s gospel is so similar to other apostolic sendings that its uniqueness may be overlooked.  Not only are “seventy-two other disciples” being missioned to towns and villages, but also they go there ahead of Jesus.  The Lord will soon arrive in these places which his disciples are to visit.  He will bring the Kingdom of God to all who welcome him.

Perhaps the meaning of Jesus’ ominous statement, “’…it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day …’”, pertains to missing Jesus.  It may seem as if Jesus were referring to a punishment worse than Sodom’s being pelted by fiery sulfur.  But it could mean that intentionally missing the experience of knowing Jesus will cause more misery than that suffered by the people in Sodom’s burning.  After all, Jesus is the fullness of joy and peace that every heart desires.  Deliberately missing him should make one despair.

We should not want to miss any opportunity to know him.  He comes to us in the breaking of the bread at Mass.  He comes in sharing a cup of coffee with the besieged.  He comes to us in dying after having lived unselfish love for everyone.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

(Job 9:1-12.14-16; Luke 9:57-62)

Today’s remarkable reading from the Book of Job speaks of God’s transcendence.  God is beyond the human mind’s capacity to know.  Job says that humans cannot see God and indicates that they are even less able to converse with Him.  He is surely right to suggest that no one is justified before God. But Job speaks of God as a non-Jew and a non-Christian.  God has given privileges to the peoples whom He calls His own.

Israel learned to call on God for help in Egypt.  The psalms express the full range of feelings and concerns of the people of God.  Christ has brought his followers an even closer relationship with God.  He taught his disciples to call God “Father” and to ask Him for anything with assurance of a hearing.

The Book of Job does not end with its protagonist in the dark about God.  Through both reverence and insistence, Job also will receive a hearing from God.  Even better, he will witness God’s self-revelation.  Knowing of Job’s experience and Jesus’ teaching we can approach God with our humble love and pressing needs.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

 

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

(Daniel 7:9-10.13-14; John 1:47-51)

Scripture does not speak much of angels.  However, it does reveal that there are many.  Today’s reading from the prophet speaks of “myriads” attending God on high.  Jesus indicates the presence of many angels in today’s gospel as well. He says that the heavens will be opened and the angels will ascend and descend in what sounds like a long, long procession.

There is a story that tells how human beings are served by the presence of so many angels.  Once a novice monk was having difficulty resisting sexual temptation.  He became so discouraged that he went to his spiritual advisor, an elderly monk, to say that he decided to leave the monastery.  The spiritual advisor asked the young monk why and was told about the temptations.  The elderly monk then took him outside and told him to look at the western sky and tell him what he saw.  The young monk looked up and saw a band of devils whooping and dancing in preparation for battle.  Then the elder told his protégé to look at the eastern sky.  When he did, he saw legions and legions of angels armed and fitted for war.  The old monk explained that the angels were there to protect the novice from sin if the young man would just ask for help.  This the novice did.  When he returned to his cell, he changed his mind about leaving the monastery.  He was confident that with the help of all those angels, he could fulfill his vocation as a monk.

Angels attend to the God who loves us.  When we feel overwhelmed by spiritual or worldly cares, we just have to call to God for help.  He will send his angels to our aid.

Monday, September 28, 2026

 

Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(Job 1:6-22; Luke 9:46-50)

Spiritual directors will challenge seekers to accept life’s setbacks as trials.  They may tell a woman whose husband has left her or a family man who has lost his job that God isn’t indifferent to their needs.  Much less, of course, would they allow seekers to think that God doesn’t exist.  Today’s first reading shows how a man of faith copes with the tremendous hardships that suddenly oppress him.

Job is presented as the consummate seeker.  His strong faith in God’s goodness enables him to accept a series of enormous losses.  As the story progresses, Job will continue to suffer.  Although he does not acknowledge it, the story forthrightly says that God is testing Job.  Job knows that he is innocent of wrongdoing that might bring on such suffering.  He will only ask to speak with God so that he might understand his predicament.

Job, ever faithful to the Lord, will not be disappointed.  God will grant him a colloquy in which He will explain His ways.  Beyond informing us of God’s divine majesty, the story assures us of God’s individual care.  He will answer the cries of those who call to him in faith.

Sunday, September 27, 2026

 

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

(Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32)

Johnny is confused. His mother told him to take pride in everything he does. But the nun in his religion class says that pride is a sin and that he should always be humble. Is it possible that they are both right?

The wise would explain that Johnny's mother has a different sense of pride than the nun. Although she may not know it, his mother expresses the sense of pride of Aristotle, the great philosopher. On the other hand, the nun teaches the concept of pride of Saint Paul, whom we meet in today's second reading.

For Aristotle, pride is what we know as magnanimity. It is the virtue of recognizing one's own greatness, being aware that one deserves honors, and claiming them. Meanwhile, St. Paul knows that pride (that is, the notion that the self is as great as God) caused the downfall of the first humans. Paul also realizes that it is only through Christ's humility that humanity is not condemned forever.

According to Aristotle, God does not know humans personally, much less care about them. Paul, on the contrary, knows from the Scriptures that God loves all his creatures. Moreover, from his own experience on the road to Damascus, he could write: “…I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39).

Paul asks the Philippians to be humble for several reasons. First and foremost, Jesus was humble. As Paul himself says in the second reading, although Jesus is God, he humbled himself by becoming human. Not only that, but he also sacrificed both his life and dignity when he surrendered himself to be crucified. This is why, when the Philippians conduct themselves with humility, they imitate their Savior. Moreover, humility acts as a catalyst that gives rise to other benefits. It makes the life of the community more serene. And for that reason, it draws the world's attention to Christ. For, deep down, everyone admires communities that show little rivalry and much mutual support.

The gospel tells of two sons of the same father. One son pleases his father by doing his will even though at first he said he wouldn't. The other does the opposite. Thus, we can also speak of different kinds of humility. One kind pleases God, and others do not. Humility that leads to self-hatred cannot please God. After all, we are God's creation worthy of love. Another problematic kind of humility draws attention to the self by repeating self-criticisms. The person who constantly says, "stupid me" and "what do I know?" probably thinks of himself as more astute than his interlocutors.

We might ask, “How can we consider everyone better than ourselves, as Paul wants us to in the reading?” With some people with serious shortcomings, it would seem like we are participating in a charade. However, we don't know the hearts of others. Only God knows that. Therefore, so that we don't underestimate anyone, it's best to think of them as better knowing that in the end the truth will be revealed.

Saint Augustine wrote that the three most important rules for following Christ are, first, humility; second, humility; and third, humility. For through humility we overcome pride, the source of all sin. Furthermore, through humility we become more like Christ and his mother, Mary. Finally, through humility we show that our purpose in life is not to glorify ourselves but God.