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In a world still fractured by walls of enmity and distracted by the urgent noise of the present hour, Christ our peace calls us to keep our lamps burning and our hearts ready. Today is Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time. It is also the optional memorial of St. Paul of the Cross, the eighteenth-century Italian priest and founder of the Passionists, whose life was spent keeping the memory of the Cross alive as the true source of reconciliation and peace. The first reading from Ephesians 2:12-22 reminds us who we once were and who we have become. Once “far off,” strangers to the covenants and “without hope and without God in the world,” we have been brought near “by the blood of Christ.” He is our peace: in His flesh He broke down the dividing wall of hostility, abolished the enmity, and created “one new person” in place of the two, reconciling both to God in one body through the cross. We are no longer strangers but “fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of ...

“In a world of expanding barns, we are invited to become rich toward God.” Today is Monday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church also offers the optional memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests, and their companions, the North American Martyrs, or of Saint Paul of the Cross, priest and founder of the Passionists. The readings remain those of the weekday, yet the lives of these saints illuminate the Gospel’s call to radical detachment. The First Reading from Ephesians 2:1-10 proclaims the sheer gift of grace. Once we were dead in our transgressions, following the ruler of the power of the air and the desires of the flesh. But God, rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ, raised us up, and seated us with him in the heavenly places. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, lest anyone boast. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand. The Responsorial Psalm answers with joyful recognitio...

Mateo 22, 15-21 — Feast is usually 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time — "Ibigay kay Cesar ang kay Cesar, at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos." Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21 Noon, umalis ang mga Pariseo at nag-usap kung paano huhulihin si Jesus sa Kanyang salita. Sinugo nila ang kanilang mga alagad kasama ng mga Herodiano at sinabi: "Guro, alam naming tapat Ka... Ano sa palagay Mo? Matuwid bang magbuwis kay Cesar o hindi?" Alam ni Jesus ang kanilang masamang hangarin kaya sinabi Niya: "Bakit ninyo Ako sinusubok, mga mapagkunwari? Ipakita ninyo sa Akin ang salaping pambuwis." Nagpakita sila ng denario. Tinanong Niya: "Kaninong larawan at pangalan ito?" "Kay Cesar po." Sinabi Niya: "Kung gayon, ibigay ninyo kay Cesar ang kay Cesar, at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos." HOMILY: The Trap That Became a Teaching 1. The Most Dangerous Alliance: Pharisees + Herodians This is unholy team-up. Pharisees hate Romans. Herodians love Romans — they work for Herod, pro-Rom...

Lucas 12, 1-7 — First day after the "Woes." Jesus now turns from Pharisees to His disciples. Private coaching after public confrontation. Gospel: Luke 12:1-7 Meanwhile a crowd of many thousands gathered... Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will show you whom to fear: fear Him who after killing has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear Him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows." HOMILY: Three Fears, One Freedom Yesterday Jesus said ...