Homily Blog

23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: LOVE, A DEBT THAT IS NEVER PAID OFF An interesting episode in Grey’s Anatomy. Dr. Teddy Altman encounters a seriously ill patient who desperately needs surgery, but his insurance will not cover the treatment. She pleads with the hospital to make an exception, but her efforts fail. The young man is left with the possibility of going home without treatment and eventually dying. Then Dr. Altman thinks of something radical. She tells him, “You know I have good...

An interesting episode in Grey’s Anatomy. Dr. Teddy Altman encounters a seriously ill patient who desperately needs surgery, but his insurance will not cover the treatment. She pleads with the hospital to make an exception, but her efforts fail. The young man is left with the possibility of going home without treatment and eventually dying. Then Dr. Altman thinks of something radical. She tells him, “You know I have good insurance.” He does not immediately understand. Then she tells him that...

REMAIN IN MY LOVE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER | VOLUME 1 REMAIN IN MY LOVE NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2026 | VOLUME 1 Posted by Vincent Arisukwu, 2 Welcome to September 2026, Volume 1 of the Remain In My Love Newsletter. This edition brings together two powerful reflections from our recent conversations, both centered on one of the most important parts of our human experience: connection. Why do we need people, and how do our stories shape the way we love? And what determines the psycho-spiritual side of...

Welcome to September 2026, Volume 1 of the Remain In My Love Newsletter. This edition brings together two powerful reflections from our recent conversations, both centered on one of the most important parts of our human experience: connection. Why do we need people, and how do our stories shape the way we love? And what determines the psycho-spiritual side of relationships — particularly how our upbringing, experiences, and attachment patterns influence the way we connect with others? This...

The prophet Jeremiah’s lamentation seems to open this track when he exclaims: “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me” (Jer. 20:7). This resembles the cry of failure, of someone who faces disappointment, as if an investment has taken the wrong turn. Jeremiah’s belief is that he is not ready for the mission. His response to the invitation explains this lack of motivation: “Ah, ah,...

In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus initially poses a question to His disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” This inquiry seeks straightforward information about public perception. The disciples quickly reply, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” It’s clear that many have opinions about Jesus. However, when Jesus rephrases the question as, “But who do you say that I am?” it becomes a profound challenge. He shifts from asking about...

Happy birthday to my niece, Muna. Grow in faith and blessings. The prophet Isaiah begins the theme of prayer by reminding his audience that God’s house is a house of prayer for all people. This sets the tone for what happens in the gospel when elements of prayer and inclusivity are present through the encounter with the Canaanite woman. Prayers can try our faith, yet faith pushes us to the finish line. The gospel of Matthew shows Jesus deliberately leaving Galilee. He is traveling to the...

Our August Vol. 1 of the Remain In My Love newsletter is here. Meet our Zambian community. In a world filled with challenges, deadlines, social distractions, and changing routines, connection often fades slowly through neglect of the small moments that once brought people together, long before love itself fades. This edition invites us to return to those simple but powerful practices that strengthen homes and renew relationships. Using the example of Boaz, who honors Ruth's dignity in the...

Fear has an interesting way of changing what we see. A child wakes up in the middle of the night, looks into a dark corner, and sees a monster. An anxious patient interprets every pain as a serious illness. Someone who has been betrayed begins to suspect everyone. An accident victim imagines a terrible car behind that wrecks him. A persecuted priest imagines incarceration for preaching truth. Fear distorts perception. The irony is that the greatest storms are often not around us but within...

Today's (July 29th) celebration of Saints Mary, Martha, and Lazarus invites us into one of the most beautiful homes in the Gospels. Bethany was more than a place where Jesus occasionally visited. It was a home where He was welcomed as family, an encounter with his great friends. Yet, like every family, theirs was not without struggles. The Gospel readings (John 11:19–27 and Luke 10:38–42) reveal not a perfect family, but a family learning to grow in faith by welcoming Christ into the middle...

Today's Gospel asks each of us a simple but unsettling question: What is the greatest treasure in your life? Our answer reveals what we value most. Some people treasure wealth. Others treasure success, health, reputation, or security. The message is that whatever occupies our hearts most deeply eventually shapes the decisions we make and how we pursue them. Jesus tells us two short but powerful parables: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field... Again, the kingdom of...

In today’s gospel, Jesus offers three parables that describe the kingdom of heaven: the parable of the good seed versus the weeds, the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of the yeast. Each of these parables uses cosmic materials to teach lessons of growth amidst challenges in spiritual life. Whereas the parables offer profound messages, I will focus on the parable of the seeds and the weeds. I will explain this parable through the lens of Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s Rules. The...