EIGHT SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

 Sirach 27:4-7; Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45

The first reading and the gospel bring to my mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:11, 18-19, “It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one … But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy.” This is why Psalm 51:12 prays, “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.” 

Chickens incubate their eggs by sitting on them to keep them warm and turning them regularly. This process is called brooding. After a period of time, the eggs hatch into chicks. This process happens to us concerning unresolved evil thoughts stored in our hearts. They are only brooding and will surely come out of our mouth or manifest in our attitude sometime, somewhere. Sometimes, they come out or manifest in a surprising or even embarrassing manner.

This is why the first reading warns us, “When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear, so do one’s fault when one speaks…. The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind” (Sirach 27:4 & 6). The heart is described as the center of vitality of our spiritual and physical body. What is stored in the heart pilots our spiritual and physical behaviors. Therefore, what we feed our hearts with and what we store in our hearts reflect not only in what our mouth speaks but also in our behaviors. Whereby a person feeds his or her heart with dirty, filthy, violent, fake, false, and ungodly materials, these vices do reflect in the person’s communication and behavior. That is why St. Paul instructs us to fill our hearts with whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Whatever is stored in the heart either sanctifies or defiles the soul and the body. It is what we have that we give. In today’s gospel, Jesus says, “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of the store of evil produces evil; from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Jesus says, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). What would Jesus say about the impure of heart?

Jesus invites us to another act of inward-looking. He says, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye, when you do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?’” This statement does not mean that we do not speak the truth, or do not correct one another, or do not encourage one another to do the right thing, rather, by this statement, Jesus invites us to look inward ourselves more than paying so much attention and being overly critical of other persons’ faults, wrongs, and sins. Jesus instructed us last Sunday to stop judging and to stop condemning (Luke 6:37). St. Paul adds, “For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things” (Romans 2:1). This is the sin of hypocrisy Jesus cautions us about. We often say, “When a person points one accusing finger at someone, the other fingers point at the accuser.” 

Socrates says, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” Self-knowledge helps us to recognize and acknowledge God’s grace in our life and be able to understand others more, show empathy, and be less judgmental to them. St. Paul advises us, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). A political prisoner, John Bradford, while witnessing a public execution in the Tower of London around 1553, is attributed to have said, “There but for the grace of God, go I.” Does this remark challenge us concerning how we perceive and judge others? 

Finally, instead of concentrating our attention on the faults, wrongs, and sins of others, St. Paul advises us in the second reading, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Yes, indeed, our fault finding and being critical of others neither help us nor anyone one. Rather, spending our time fully devoted to the work of the Lord can never be in vain.

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Like 6:27-38

God sent Saul, the king of Israel, on a mission “to put the sinful Amalekites under a ban of destruction; [to] fight against them until you have exterminated them.” But Saul disobeyed the Lord. He took the king captive and “pounced on the spoil.” When Samuel confronted Saul, he gave his excuse, “from the spoil the army took sheep and oxen, the best of what had been banned, to sacrifice to the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:14-20). This is an example of, “never accept responsibility,” “make excuses,” “find someone to blame.”

Samuel announced to Saul, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the Lord’s command? Obedience is better than sacrifice, to listen, better than the fat of rams. For a sin of divination is rebellion, and arrogance, the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord in turn has rejected you as king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

When Saul realized that God had chosen David to succeed him, he was very angry and made eleven attempts to kill David:

- Saul attempted to kill David with a spear (1 Sam. 18:11); - Saul planned to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines by giving David his daughter Michal in marriage  (1 Sam. 18:17, 21); - Saul ordered his servants to kill David (1 Sam. 19:1); - Saul attempted to kill David with a spear (1 Sam. 19:10); - Saul sent messengers to kill David (1 Sam. 19:11); - Saul sent messengers to bring David back so that he could kill David (1 Sam. 19:15); - Saul sent messengers to kill David (1 Sam. 19:20); - Saul sent messengers again to kill David (1 Sam. 19:21); - Saul went himself to kill David (1 Sam. 19:22); - Saul pursued David to kill him (1 Sam. 23:15); - Saul pursued David to kill him (1 Sam. 26:2).

The eleventh attempt is as we read in the first reading, “Saul went down to the desert of Ziph with three thousand men … to search for David.” We can see how desperate Saul was. Today’s first reading informs us how David had the opportunity to get revenge against Saul but chose to spare Saul’s life. At that time when the law was, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Exodus 21:24), David stood out in showing mercy and forgiveness to Saul who made eleven attempts on his life.

David is a perfect example of Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic…” (Luke 6:27-29). This is a very radical teaching since it is typical of human nature to do good to those who are good to us and to punish those who treat us badly. David and Jesus teach us today that this must not be so.

This teaching by Jesus is a difficult teaching to accept, especially for those who are in pain and grieving due to the wickedness of human beings and where the enemies are unrelenting. The teaching is, “Do not take revenge.” “Do not retaliate.” St. Paul writes, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”’ (Romans 12:17).  We pray for God’s grace, protection, healing, and intervention.

However, Christianity does not encourage cowardice and subservience. St. Paul writes, “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Christianity teaches legitimate defense of oneself and defense of life and property by legitimate authority. Jesus says, “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into” (Matthew 24:43). “… one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36). Legitimate defense of life and property can be seen in these statements. If Pope Urban II had not called the Crusade in 1095 against the Muslims, perhaps, Christianity would not have survived. It is in support for the defense and protection departments that Churches provide chaplains for the spiritual needs of their personnel.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in numbers 2265 and 2266, “Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm.” “For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.” We pray that legitimate authorities do not fail to carry out this divine giving responsibility. We pray that legitimate authorities do not, themselves, become wicked oppressors of the weak, the vulnerable, and the defenseless, as it is the case in many places and many countries.

May God continue to protect and save his own from their enemies as he protected and saved David from King Saul. God promises, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” This promise came true concerning David and King Saul. May we keep God’s word, blessing those who curse us and praying for those who hate us. And may God’s promises continue to be fulfilled. Amen.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME YEAR C, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 1:1-4, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26

It is a fact that every choice has its effect. Good choice brings good effect and bad choice brings bad effect. In the first reading, Jeremiah prophesied to the people of Judah what would happen to them if they continued in their sin of idolatry and trusting in human allies. He, also, prophesied the blessings they would receive from God if they trusted in God:

“Cursed is the one who trust in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth” (Jeremiah 17:5-6).

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters, that stretches out its roots to the stream. It fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

The people of Judah did not listen to Jeremiah. They continued their sin of idolatry. Their king, Zedekiah, and his officials allied with Egypt; thereby seeking “strength in flesh” and turning away from God. The result was that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and carried Judeans into exile. Good choice begets good result. Bad choice begets bad result.

There is no doubt that many things are beyond our choice or control; but someone says that largely, we are our choices. The times things are beyond our choice or control still provide opportunities for our choice. As people of faith, in all circumstances and in every choice, let us, prayerfully, be guided by the word of God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. There are, also, times we need to seek the counsel of the wise to guide us in the process of discerning the good choice to make, or the bad choice not to make (Tobit 4:18, Proverbs 19:20).

Today, we are invited to reflect on our lives to see the effects of the choices we have made or we are making. If the effects bring glory to God and love and peace to oneself and other human beings, that is the sure sign that the choices are good. We are encouraged to make such choices. But if the effects of the choices do not glorify God, nor bring peace and love to oneself and other human beings, that is the sure sign that the choices are bad. We are encouraged to desist from such choices.

Today’s gospel are Jesus’ words of blessings, consolation, and encouragement to the poor (those who are humble), to the hungry (those who desire and pursue righteousness); to the weeping (those who are deprived of justice); and to the hated, insulted, excluded, and denounced on account of the Son of Man (those who are persecuted for standing up for truth, and those persecuted for their faith in Jesus). “Blessed are you.” “You will be satisfied.” “You will laugh.” May these words of Jesus come to fulfilment in our lives. Amen.

On the other hand, Jesus denounces those who enrich themselves and live wasteful life on stolen money and property; the hypocrites, and oppressors of the poor, the oppressors of the weak, and the oppressors of just. Jesus pronounces curses on them: “Woe to you.” “You will be hungry.” “You will grieve and weep.” Prophet Isaiah says, “Happy the just, for it will go well with them, the fruit of their works they will eat. Woe to the wicked! It will go ill with them, with the work of their hands they will be repaid” (Isaiah 3:10-11).

The second reading was St. Paul’s caution to some Corinthians who did not believe in the resurrected Christ. In the same manner, nowadays, God’s word is mocked, rationalized, rejected, dismissed, not believed, and God’s messengers and believers of the word are persecuted.  Nowadays, in the face of the corrupt and violent world, it is difficult to convince many people to remain righteous. For us believers, the readings and reflection encourage us to keep making choices that bring glory to God and the well-being of humanity, and continue to persevere in our faith and in good work. “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C, 2025 BY FR. MARTIN EKE, MSP

Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 138:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11

The first reading is about the call of Isaiah, the second reading is about the call of Paul, and the gospel reading is about the call of Peter, James and John.

The first reading narrates Isaiah’s vision and encounter with the Lord: Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord and his angels. He acknowledged his sinfulness, “Woe to me … For I am a man with unclean lips.” To cleanse Isaiah of his sin, one of the angels took an ember from the altar fire and touched Isaiah’s lips saying, “your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” The Lord said, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here I am, … send me.”

Like Isaiah, Paul acknowledged his sinfulness. Paul said, “For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am, what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective” (1 Corinthians 15:9). We recall Paul’s encounter with the Lord on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians, “a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.” He fell to the ground and was blind for three days. When Ananias prayed for him, “Immediately, things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight.” Thereafter, he became a chosen instrument of evangelization (Acts 9:1-19).

Peter, like Isaiah and Paul acknowledged his sinfulness. The gospel narrates Peter’s experience: “[Jesus] said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.’ Simon said in reply, ‘Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.’ … When Simon Peter saw the massive catch, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.’” …  Jesus said to [him], ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’”

God called Isaiah, Paul, Peter, James and John despite their sinfulness and unworthiness. God may be calling someone to priesthood, or to religious life or to serve in any of the ministries of the Church. The person may have all kinds of excuses why he/she is unable to respond positively to God’s call. Someone can even go to the extent of wanting God to depart, and leave him/her alone. Sometimes, we forget that when God calls, and we respond positively, he gives the grace. St. Paul says, “by the grace of God I am, what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). God tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God’s call is not only to serve in the Church, he also calls us to married vocation. Our various assignments, responsibilities, and professions are God’s call to serve him and humanity. We are to accept these calls with faith. He wants to make us his chosen instruments and fishers of men and women. All we need to do is to put out into deep with faith and lower our nets for a catch. God does the rest. He is God of surprises to those who have faith.

There are several reasons why some people do not answer God’s call. There are people who have feelings of inadequacy. Their feelings and expressions are always “I can’t.” They do not put out into deep. They put out only into shallow water. There are people who are afraid of failure. Putting out into deep is too much of a risk. There are people who settle for less. They are unable to put out into deep because they lack aspiration. There are people who are very comfortable with the low bar they set for themselves. Putting out into deep will disturb their comfort. There are people who are lazy. They lack energy to put out into deep. There are people who are easily frustrated and discouraged. They are unable to persevere through the hitches and difficulties that go with putting out into deep. There are people who lack the will power to pursue their vision. They remain at the level of dreams. They are unable to put out into deep. There are people who are unable to put out into deep because they live in the world of their ugly past. They must transcend their past in order to move forward. Then, they are able to put out into deep.

Peter says, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing” (Luke 5:5). We pray for those who work hard but with little or no fulfilling result. We pray with Psalm 90:17, “May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!” May the angel of the Lord touch us with God’s ember of fire and keep our flame burning without going out.  Amen.