March 2025

8th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME; Cycle – C; March 2nd 2025

Sirach 27:4-7; 1Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45

Good morning, everyone!

Let me ask you a simple but important question: Have you ever said something and immediately regretted it? Maybe you burst out something out in anger, and as soon as it left your mouth, you wished you could take it back. Or maybe you were caught saying something that revealed a side of you that you didn’t even realize was there.

Well, Jesus talks about this very thing in today's Gospel. He reminds us that what’s inside our hearts will eventually come out in our words and actions. Today, through powerful images—blind guides, splinters and beams in the eye, and trees bearing fruit—Jesus invites us to examine our hearts and ask, "What kind of fruit am I bearing?"

So, let’s reflect on three key messages from today’s readings that will help us become people who reflect Christ more fully in our lives.

1. You Can’t Help Others If You Can’t See Clearly (Luke 6:39-42)

Jesus asks, "Can a blind man lead a blind man?" The answer is obvious—No! If one blind person tries to guide another, they’ll both fall into a ditch. But what does this mean spiritually? We all have faults, struggles, and weaknesses. And yet, sometimes, we are quick to judge others without recognizing our own flaws. Jesus warns us against this hypocrisy when He says, "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?" (Luke 6:41).

Imagine this: If you had a huge log in your eye, you’d have a hard time seeing anything clearly. Jesus is telling us that before we correct others, we need to first examine ourselves. How can we help someone else grow in faith if we ourselves are struggling with the same or even greater issues? St. Augustine once said, "Before we can guide others, we must first allow God to heal our own blindness." This means looking inward, seeking conversion, and asking God to remove whatever is blocking our spiritual vision—whether it’s pride, selfishness, or a critical spirit.

2. Your Words Reveal Your Heart (Sirach 27:4-7 & Luke 6:45)

In our first reading from Sirach, we hear a simple but profound truth: "The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had; so too does a person's speech disclose the bent of the mind." In other words, what we say reveals what’s inside us. Jesus reinforces this in the Gospel, saying, "A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45).

Think about it: If you squeeze an orange, what comes out? Orange juice—because that’s what’s inside. If we are "squeezed" by stress, challenges, or difficult people, what comes out of us? Is it patience and kindness, or anger and negativity?

A priest was visiting a parishioner’s home when suddenly, the family’s parrot started shouting, “No! Stop that! Be kind! Don’t say that!” The priest was impressed and asked, “Does your parrot preach kindness?” The owner shook his head and said, “No, he just repeats what he hears in our house all the time!”

The truth is, our words reflect what is in our hearts. If our hearts are filled with love, patience, and gratitude, that’s what will come out. But if our hearts are filled with anger, jealousy, or negativity, that’s what we’ll spread. So, today, let’s ask ourselves: What kind of words am I speaking to my family, my friends, and even strangers? Are they words that bring life or words that wound?

3. What Kind of Fruit Are You Bearing? (Luke 6:43-45)

Jesus gives us another powerful image: "A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit." (Luke 6:43). This means that our actions and words are a reflection of what’s inside us—just like a tree's fruit reveals its true nature.

So, what does "good fruit" look like? St. Paul gives us an answer in Galatians 5:22-23: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." If these are present in our lives, then we are bearing good fruit! But if we find ourselves constantly impatient, harsh, or selfish, then maybe our tree needs some pruning.

Mark was a man who always seemed angry and bitter. He would snap at his coworkers, complain about everything, and rarely had a kind word for anyone. One day, his friend challenged him, "Mark, why are you always so negative?" That simple question hit him hard. He realized he had been so focused on problems that he had let his heart become poisoned with negativity. Mark decided to change. He started practicing gratitude, making an effort to be kind, and spending more time in prayer. Slowly, his words changed. His attitude shifted. He started bearing good fruit. One of his coworkers even said, "Mark, you’re a completely different person!"

Mark's story reminds us that we can all change. If we want to bear good fruit, we must let Christ transform our hearts.

A Call to Self-Examination

So, as we leave today, let’s ask ourselves three things:

1. Am I blind to my own faults while pointing out the faults of others?

2. Do my words reflect a heart filled with God’s love or something else?

3. Am I bearing good fruit in my life—fruits of kindness, patience, and faithfulness?

If we recognize that we need to change, that’s a good thing! It means God is working on us. The good news is, Jesus doesn’t just tell us to bear good fruit—He gives us the grace to do it.

So, let’s ask Him today: "Lord, help me see clearly, help me speak words that bring life, and help me bear fruit that glorifies You!"

And remember, if a parrot can repeat what it hears, so can we! Let’s fill our hearts with God’s goodness so that our words and actions reflect His love to the world.

Amen.

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT; Cycle – C; March 9th, 2025

Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

A wise old man once said to his grandson, “Inside each of us, there are two wolves. One is good, it represents love, kindness, and faith. The other is bad—it represents temptation, greed, and sin. And these wolves are always fighting.” The little boy thought for a moment and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?” The old man smiled and said, “The one you feed.”

Isn’t that true for all of us? Every day, we are faced with choices—temptations that try to pull us away from God and moments of grace that draw us closer to Him. This battle is as old as humanity itself. 

Today's readings show us this spiritual battle in action. In the Gospel (Luke 4:1-13), Jesus faces temptation in the desert and overcomes it. In the First Reading (Deuteronomy 26:4-10), Moses reminds the Israelites to recall God’s past faithfulness and respond in gratitude. And in the Second Reading (Romans 10:8-13), St. Paul tells us that salvation is close to us—all we need to do is trust in God’s word and call upon His name.  

Three things: Let’s Walk through these together.  

1. Temptation is a Test of Trust—Whom Do We Rely On?  

The first temptation Jesus faces is hunger. After fasting for forty days, the devil says, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” (Luke 4:3) This echoes the struggle of the Israelites. They often doubted God’s provision, complaining in the wilderness, “Where is our food? Where is our water?” But in Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Moses tells them to remember how God led them out of Egypt and provided for them. Jesus responds to the devil with Scripture:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Luke 4:4, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3)

Here’s the lesson: The Israelites forgot God’s provision and doubted. Jesus trusted that the Father would provide. How often do we put our physical or worldly needs above our spiritual needs? Jesus reminds us that our greatest hunger should be for God.

2. Temptation is a Battle of Truth—Whose Voice Do We Listen To?  

The devil then offers Jesus’ power, saying, “I will give You all the kingdoms of the world if You worship me.” (Luke 4:6-7) This is the same lie the Israelites faced. When they entered the Promised Land, they were tempted to worship the gods of other nations, thinking that power and security came from them. But Moses warned them: "Worship the Lord your God and Him alone." (Deuteronomy6:13) Jesus responds in the same way: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.” (Luke 4:8) We all face this temptation: To chase success at the cost of integrity. To seek approval from the world instead of from God. To compromise our faith to fit in.

But the truth is, nothing in this world can satisfy us like God can. True power is found in surrendering to God, not controlling everything ourselves.

3. Temptation is Won Through Faith—Do We Believe God is Enough for Us?

The devil’s last trick is to quote Scripture itself! He tells Jesus to throw Himself down from the temple, saying, “God will command His angels to save You.” (Luke 4:9-11) This is the temptation to force God’s hand. It’s the same challenge the Israelites faced when they tested God at Massah, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7) But Jesus refuses to put God to the test. He replies:
“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Luke 4:12)

There was once a young boy caught in a house fire. As the flames spread, he ran to the roof, terrified. His father stood below with outstretched arms, calling, “Jump! I will catch you!” The boy, blinded by the smoke, cried out, “Dad, I can’t see you!” His father replied, “But I can see you! And that’s all that matters. Jump!” The boy hesitated for a moment, then trusted his father’s voice—and jumped safely into his arms.

This is what faith is. We may not always see God’s plan, but He sees us. We may not understand why we suffer, but He is there. We must trust not in what we see, but in what God has promised. St. Paul tells us in the second reading (Romans 10:8-13), “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

Faith means trusting that God is enough, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Temptation is a test of trust—Whom do we rely on? Let’s trust that God is enough.  

Temptation is a battle of truth—Whose voice do we listen to? Let’s stay rooted in God’s Word.

Temptation is won through faith—Do we believe God will provide? Let’s live by faith, not by sight. 

Lent is a time to enter our own desert—not to be defeated, but to be strengthened. It’s not just about fasting from food; it’s about fasting from sin. It’s about learning to say “No” to the devil and “Yes” to God.  Pope Benedict XVI said, "Lent is like a long retreat, during which we turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, to overcome the temptations of the Evil One and to strengthen ourselves in the divine will." 

So this week, when you face temptation, remember Jesus in the desert. Stand firm, hold onto Scripture, and trust that God is more than enough.  And that, my friends, is how we win the battle.  

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT; Cycle – C; March 16th, 2025

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28-36

Dear Sisters & Brothers,

A little boy was flying a kite one windy afternoon. As it soared higher and higher, it disappeared into the clouds. A man passing by asked, “What are you doing?” The boy smiled and said, “Flying my kite!” The man looked up and said, “But I don’t see it.” The boy tugged the string and replied, “Neither do I, but I can feel it.” Faith is like that. We don’t always see God clearly, but we know He is there.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain—and for a brief moment, they see Him in all His glory. The Transfiguration is a moment of revelation, a reminder that beyond the struggles of life, God’s glory is real.

But what does this mean for us? Three things: God reveals His glory to strengthen our faith. We are called to listen to Jesus. The mountain leads to the cross—but the cross leads to glory. Let’s walk through these together.

1. God Reveals His Glory to Strengthen Our Faith

The disciples had been following Jesus, but they still didn’t fully understand who He was. Then, on the mountain, Jesus is transfigured—His face shines like the sun, His clothes become dazzling white. Why? Because they were about to face the hardest part of their journey—Jesus’ suffering and death. They needed this glimpse of His divine glory to prepare them.

Think about Abraham in today’s first reading (Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18). God makes a covenant with him, promising that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. But at that moment, Abraham and Sarah were childless. He couldn’t see how God’s promise would be fulfilled. Yet Abraham believed.

The same is true for us. There are moments when we wonder, “God, where are You? Why is life so hard?” But then God gives us glimpses of His presence—moments of peace, moments of grace. Like the disciples, we are not meant to stay on the mountain. We are meant to take what we see there and hold onto it when life gets difficult.

2. We Are Called to Listen to Jesus

As Jesus is transfigured, Moses and Elijah appear with Him. This is no accident—Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. But when Peter excitedly suggests building three tents, God’s voice thunders from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35) Why does God say this? Because Jesus is greater than Moses and Elijah. He is not just another teacher—He is the Son of God. In the second reading (Philippians 3:17—4:1), St. Paul warns us not to focus on earthly things but to remember that our citizenship is in heaven. Yet, how often do we listen to the world’s voice instead of Jesus?

• The world tells us, “Success is everything.” Jesus says, “What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

• The world says, “You must be strong.” Jesus says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

• The world says, “Follow your heart.” Jesus says, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

God tells us plainly: “Listen to Him.” Are we listening?

3. The Mountain Leads to the Cross—But the Cross Leads to Glory

The Transfiguration was a powerful moment, but it didn’t last forever. Jesus and the disciples had to come down the mountain. Ahead of them lay Jerusalem, where Jesus would be arrested, tortured, and crucified. Why did He show them His glory before His suffering? To teach them this: The cross is not the end of the story. The disciples didn’t understand it yet, but we do. We know that after the suffering of Good Friday came the glory of Easter Sunday. The Transfiguration reminds us that whatever cross we carry now is not the end—it is the path to glory.

There’s a story about a priest who was arrested for his faith. He was tortured, starved, and thrown into a dark prison cell. One night, he felt completely abandoned. He cried out, “God, where are You?” At that moment, he remembered a childhood memory—standing in a church, gazing at the stained-glass windows. By day, they were beautiful, filled with color. But at night, they looked like nothing but dark glass.

Then he realized: God’s presence is like that. Even when we don’t see the colors, He is still there. When he was finally released, he testified: “The darkest moments of my life were when God was closest.”

So, what is the message of today’s Gospel?

1. God reveals His glory to strengthen our faith. When we feel weak, God gives us glimpses of His presence.

2. We are called to listen to Jesus. Are we listening to the world or to God?

3. The mountain leads to the cross—but the cross leads to glory. Whatever suffering we face now is not the end. Easter is coming!

Lent is our time to climb the mountain with Jesus. It is our time to listen to Him, to trust in Him, and to prepare for the victory of Easter.

So, when life gets hard and you feel lost in the darkness, remember this: The same Jesus who was transfigured on the mountain is the same Jesus who walks with you in the valley.

And that, my friends, is Good News.

Amen.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT; Cycle – C; March 23rd, 2025

Exodus 3:1-8; 1Corinthians 10: 1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

A little boy was learning to ride a bike. His father ran beside him, holding onto the back of the seat. The boy pedaled, wobbled, and fell. He got up, dusted himself off, and tried again. Again, he fell. Frustrated, he cried, “I’ll never get it right!” But his father smiled and said, “Son, falling isn’t failing. Keep going—I’ve got you.” Isn’t that what God does with us? We stumble, we fall, we mess up—but He doesn’t give up on us. He is the God of second chances. In today’s Gospel (Luke 13:1-9), Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that isn’t bearing fruit. The owner wants to cut it down, but the gardener pleads, “Give it another chance.” God is that gardener. He sees our failures, our sins, our struggles—but instead of condemning us, He offers us time, mercy, and the grace to grow.

Let’s reflect on three messages from today’s readings:

1. God Calls Us to Repentance—Not to Condemn, but to Save

When we hear the word "repentance," many of us think of punishment, guilt, or fear. But in reality, repentance is not about condemnation—it’s about mercy. Jesus’ Wake-Up Call. In today’s Gospel (Luke 13:1-9), people come to Jesus, talking about two tragedies: Some Galileans were killed by Pilate while offering sacrifices. A tower in Siloam collapsed, killing 18 people. The people assumed that these victims must have been great sinners—that God had punished them. But Jesus corrects them: “Do you think they were more guilty than anyone else? No! But unless you repent, you will perish as well.” This is shocking. Jesus isn’t saying they were innocent, but He is redirecting the question. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to them?” we should ask, “What does this mean for me?”

Repentance is a Gift, not a Burden. Jesus’ words are not a threat—they are an invitation. He is not waiting to strike us down; He is calling us to return to Him. Sin separates us from God—repentance restores us. Sin damages the soul—repentance heals it. Sin leads to death—repentance leads to life.

This is why God appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-15). Moses had run away after killing a man in Egypt. But God did not come to punish him—He came to call him back, to give him a mission, to restore his purpose.

2. God Is Patient—But Time Is Not Unlimited

One of the greatest truths about God is His patience. He does not rush to punish us when we fail. Instead, He gives us time to repent and grow. But Jesus also makes it clear: this time is not unlimited. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6-9). A man plants a fig tree in his vineyard, expecting it to bear fruit. But for three years, it produces nothing. Frustrated, he tells the gardener: “Cut it down! Why should it take up space?” But the gardener pleads: “Sir, leave it for one more year. I will dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, good! If not, then cut it down.”

God’s Patience is Mercy, Not Permission to Delay. This parable teaches us two things about God’s patience:

God does not immediately punish us when we sin. Like the gardener, He nurtures us, gives us graces, and provides us with opportunities to change. 2. God’s patience is not an excuse to remain in sin. The tree is given “one more year,” not unlimited years. Eventually, a choice must be made.

Too often, we say: “I’ll turn back to God later.” “I’ll change when I have more time.” “I’ll fix my life when I’m older.” But Jesus is warning us: Time is a gift, not a guarantee.

In the second reading (1 Corinthians 10:1-12), St. Paul reminds us of how God led the Israelites through the desert. They saw miracles, ate manna, drank from the rock—but many still turned away from God. Paul warns: “Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” (1 Cor 10:12) In other words, don’t take God’s patience for granted. Many people assumed they were fine, but they failed to respond to God’s grace.

A priest once visited an elderly man in the hospital. The man had ignored God for years, but now, on his deathbed, the priest urged him: “Turn back to God while there is still time.” The man hesitated. “Maybe tomorrow,” he whispered. But the next day, he passed away. Tomorrow never came. This is not meant to frighten us—but to wake us up. God is patient, but we don’t know how much time we have.

3. When We Turn to Him, He Makes Us Fruitful

God doesn’t just call us to repentance and patiently wait for us—He also helps us grow and bear fruit. When we return to Him, He doesn’t just forgive us, He transforms us. Repentance is Not Just About Avoiding Sin—It’s About Growing in Holiness

Too often, we think repentance is just about stopping bad habits. But it’s more than that—it’s about becoming the person God created us to be. When we repent, we don’t just "avoid hell"—we become holy, joyful, and filled with God’s grace. God doesn’t just want to forgive us—He wants to use us for something greater.

The Choice Is Ours

So how do we allow God to make us fruitful?

1. Stay connected to Him. Like a tree needs water, we need prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments.

2. Remove what blocks our growth. Sin, laziness, and distractions choke our spiritual life.

3. Be patient with the process. Growth takes time, but God never gives up on us.

Lent is not just about avoiding sin—it’s about bearing fruit: holiness, love, mercy, and joy.

Imagine standing before God one day, and He asks: “What did you do with the time I gave you?” Will we say, “Lord, I wasted it”—or will we say, “Lord, I grew, I changed, I bore fruit for Your kingdom”? Today, God is digging around the soil of our hearts, fertilizing it with His grace. Will we let Him make us fruitful?

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT; Cycle – C; March 30th 2025

Joshua 5:9, 101-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

May the peace and love of our merciful Father be with you all! Today, as we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday—a day of joy in the midst of our Lenten journey—we are reminded of the incredible mercy of God. No matter how far we have strayed, the Father is always ready to welcome us home.

There’s a story of a father and son who had a falling out. The son, out of anger, left home and spent years away, wasting his money and his life. Eventually, he realized his mistake and decided to write his father a letter: "Dad, I know I don’t deserve anything, but if you are willing to take me back, just tie a white cloth on the big oak tree in front of our house. If I see it when I pass by on the train, I will know you’ve forgiven me." As the train neared his home, he couldn’t bear to look. He asked a fellow passenger to look for him. What the passenger saw made him gasp: the entire tree was covered with white clothes! The father had not just tied one cloth—he had filled the tree with them!

This story echoes today’s Gospel: The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). But I prefer to call it “The Parable of the Merciful Father”—because the father is the true hero. His love is extravagant, scandalous, and almost reckless! 

Our readings today are rich in meaning, but at their heart, they reveal a single truth: God never gives up on us. 

Let us reflect on three powerful messages from today’s Gospel:

1. Sin Takes Us Far from the Father, But Never Beyond His Love

In today’s Gospel (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32), Jesus tells the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son. A young man demands his inheritance from his father—essentially saying, "I wish you were dead, so I could have your money now." He takes it, goes to a distant land, and wastes it all in reckless living. When famine strikes, he is left hungry, broken, and lost.

This is what sin does. It promises us freedom, but leads us to slavery. It tells us we can do better on our own, but leaves us empty and alone. Yet even in his misery, the son was not beyond the Father’s love. The moment he turned back, the Father was already waiting for him. That is how God loves us. Even when we wander, He never stops watching over us, waiting for the moment we will turn back to Him. 

2. True Repentance Opens the Door to God’s Mercy

When the prodigal son finally realizes his mistake, he decides to return home—not because he feels worthy, but because he knows his father is good. He prepares his apology: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (Luke 15:21) He expected rejection or at best, to be treated as a servant. But what happens? The father runs to him.  He embraces him.  He restores him as his beloved son.

This is what happens every time we repent. No sin is too great for God’s mercy. The moment we turn back, He is already running toward us.

In the first reading (Joshua 5:9-12), we see another moment of restoration. After years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites finally reach the Promised Land. They celebrate the Passover, and for the first time in years, they eat the fruit of the land. Their time of suffering is over. Just like the prodigal son, they left behind the land of slavery and entered a new life. Lent is our time to do the same. When we confess our sins, when we return to the Father, we are restored.

3. God’s Love is Unconditional—Even When We Struggle to Accept It

Not everyone in the parable was happy about the son’s return. The older brother was furious. He had been faithful, yet he never received such a celebration. This part of the story speaks to many of us. Sometimes, we struggle with God’s mercy: We compare ourselves to others. We think some people don’t deserve forgiveness. We hold onto resentment instead of celebrating God's mercy.

But the father tells the older son: “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate, because your brother was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:31-32) God’s love is not based on merit—it is based on who He is.

The Father is Waiting—Will We Come Home?

The Gospel ends with a feast. The father kills the fattened calf because forgiveness leads to celebration. Every time we return to God, Heaven rejoices! Brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel is not just about a son who ran away. It is about us. Some of us are like the prodigal son—we have wandered far, and we need to come home. Some of us are like the older brother—we struggle with resentment, and we need to open our hearts. All of us are called to be like the Father—to welcome, forgive, and love as He does.

Lent is our time to return to God. The Father is waiting. Will we come home?

Amen.