Pip: The end of the liturgical year is approaching, and the church has some thoughts about what you’ve been doing with your talents — and not the musical kind.

Mara: This episode comes from canicecnjoku’s site, and today we’re sitting with the Sunday homily for the 33rd Week of Ordinary Time — faithfulness, readiness, and what it means to be a trustworthy servant. Let’s start with the reflections themselves.

Mara: The homily for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time holds three readings together around a single question: what does it look like to be faithful to Christ as the liturgical year draws to a close?

Pip: The English homily puts the stakes plainly. Here’s the line from Paul’s second reading as the text frames it: “It is when people are saying, ‘how quiet and peaceful it is that the worst suddenly happens.'”

Mara: That’s the sudden arrival of the Lord’s Day — Paul’s point is that readiness can’t be deferred. The homily reaches for a Greek word to sharpen this: “Gregoreuo,” describing a sleeping man who is always mentally alert, the opposite of someone dead or unconsciously asleep.

Pip: So the call isn’t to anxious vigilance — it’s to a kind of active, living attention. Wide awake while the world assumes it has more time.

Mara: The first reading grounds that call in a figure: the virtuous woman of Proverbs. The homily reads her as a symbol of the Church itself — “she prepares us through her constant teachings and charitable works.” Strength of character and devotion, not just piety.

Pip: There’s something worth sitting with there. The virtuous woman isn’t passive. She holds out her hand to the needy. The homily is asking listeners to emulate that, not just admire it.

Mara: The parable of the talents in the gospel ties it together. God has endowed each person differently, and the expectation is productivity proportional to what was received. The homily names what gets in the way directly: “indifference, apathy, licentiousness, sloth, and complacency toward our mission.”

Pip: The reward at the end of that faithfulness is equally direct — “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That’s the line the whole homily is building toward.

Mara: The Spanish-language version of the same homily, “Homilia del Trigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario,” covers the same arc for a different readership — the Dorado congregation and beyond — carrying that same closing promise into both languages.

Pip: Two languages, one call — readiness isn’t a translation problem.

Mara: Faithfulness, active readiness, and the productive use of what we’ve been given — those themes don’t really close, they carry forward.

Pip: Next time, we’ll see what the site brings as the liturgical year actually ends. There’s always one more Sunday.

Fidelidad a Cristo Nuestra Cabeza

Lecturas: 1^ra: Prov 31:10-13.19-20; Sal: 127:1-5; 2^da: 1Thess 5:1-6; Ev: Mt 25:14-30

Esta breve reflexión fue escrita por el Padre Canice Chukwuemeka Njoku, C.S.Sp., DMin., un sacerdote católico y miembro de la Congregación del Espíritu Santo (Espirítanos), Circunscripción de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. Es director del Santuario del Espíritu Santo, Dorado. El padre Canice es miembro de la Academia de Homilética (The Academy of Homiletics). Para más detalles y comentarios, se puede contactarlo al: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Encuentra otros libros en: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/904854

(Donar @ATH Móvil: Canice Njoku – 7873146309)

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

A medida que nos acercamos al final de este año litúrgico la Iglesia nos alienta a permanecer fieles y dedicados a Cristo nuestra cabeza. Como buenos siervos, debemos estar dedicados a él. Además, debemos estar listos para rendir cuentas completas de nuestros talentos a él. 

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Nuestra primera lectura para este domingo es de Proverbios. La virtuosa mujer de Proverbios irradia como una estrella brillante. El término “virtuoso” se refiere simplemente a la fuerza, la eficiencia o la capacidad. Aquí, se refiere a la fuerza espiritual y moral, así como a la firmeza del carácter (Ruth 3:11). Por lo tanto, ella es virtuosa por la fuerza de su carácter y devoción.

La mujer virtuosa está bien, fiel, y sabe que hacer para guardar a su familia juntos. Además, “sostiene su mano al necesitado”. Hoy, la mujer virtuosa es el símbolo de la iglesia de la Madre Santa, que nos prepara suficientemente para encontrar a Cristo nuestra Cabeza. Nos prepara a través de sus enseñanzas constantes y trabajos caritativos. De ahí, esto es piden que nosotros emulemos las calidades de la mujer virtuosa. Debemos ser tan fieles y fieles como es a nuestra llamada y a la misión de Dios.

En la segunda lectura, Pablo nos presenta una descripción de la conducta esperada de un niño de la luz. Nos recuerda lo inevitable: el día del Señor. Según él, una de las características más significativas de este “día” es que sería repentino: “es cuando la gente está diciendo, ‘ cuán silencioso y Pacífico es que lo peor sucede de repente.”

En palabras de orden, Pablo simplemente nos alienta a estar atentos y activos en nuestra preparación para este día del Señor. “Gregoreuo” es una palabra griega que Pablo empleó para expresar la idea de un hombre durmiente que siempre está mentalmente alerta. Este estado de ánimo es opuesto al de una persona que está muerta o inconscientemente dormida. Es la posición que debemos adoptar como cristianos mientras esperamos a Cristo.

El llamado de Pablo, es un llamado a la disposición y a vivir con los valores de la eternidad en mente. Si lo hacemos, sin duda disfrutaremos de una vida mejor que los que se comprometen con el mundo. Por tanto, vivimos como soldados en servicio activo (2 Tito 2.4), y como la mujer virtuosa que trabaja para complacer a su marido y a sus hijos.

En el Evangelio, Jesús usa la parábola del talento para recordarnos igualmente que debemos estar preparados para rendir una buena cuenta de nuestros talentos. Dios nos ha dotado a cada uno de nosotros con diferentes talentos. Cada uno, según nuestras diversas capacidades. Así que, como sirvientes fieles, espera dar una buena cuenta de los “talentos” que hemos recibido.

Jesús nos desafía a ser prudentes y productivos con nuestros talentos. Lo más importante es que nos amonesta a vivir en previsión de su inevitable regreso. No debemos esperar a que este retorno en la ociosidad. Más bien, debemos ser activos y diligentes con los talentos que hemos recibido. Por lo tanto, debemos usar nuestros talentos para la gloria de Dios.

Como siervos dignos de confianza, debemos evitar la indiferencia, la apatía, el libertinaje, la pereza, la complacencia hacia nuestra misión. Estos no nos van a traer ninguna recompensa de Cristo. Si somos fieles y productivos con los talentos que hemos recibido, Cristo nuestra cabeza nos dirá también: “bien hecho, siervo bueno y fiel”.

¡La paz sea con ustedes!

¡Maranatha!

Faithfulness to Christ our Head

Readings: 1^st: Prov 31, 10-13.19-20; Ps:127; 2^nd: 1Thess 5:1-6; Gos: Mt 25:14-30

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp., DMin, a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He is Director of Santuario del Espiritu Santo, Dorado Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments, contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Find other books @: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/893122

(Donate @ATH Mobil: Canice Njoku-7873146309)

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

As we come closer to the end of this liturgical year A, the church encourages us to remain faithful and dedicated to Christ our head. As good servants, we must be devoted to Him. Also, we must be ready to give Him a complete account of our talents.

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Our first reading is from the book of Proverbs. In this reading, the virtuous woman radiates as a bright star. The term “virtuous” refers to strength, efficiency, or ability. Here, it refers to both spiritual and moral strength and the firmness of character (Ruth 3:11). So, she is virtuous because of the strength of her character and devotion.

The virtuous woman is good, faithful, and knows what to do to keep her family together. In addition, “she holds out her hand to the needy.” Today, the virtuous woman symbolizes the Holy Mother Church, which prepares us adequately to meet Christ our Head. She prepares us through her constant teachings and charitable works. Hence, this is a call for us to emulate the qualities of a virtuous woman. We must be as faithful and devoted as she is to our callings and God’s mission.

In the second reading, Paul presents to us a description of the conduct expected from a child of the light. He reminds us of the inevitable – The Lord’s Day. According to him, one of the most significant characteristics of this “Day” is that it would be sudden: “It is when people are saying, ‘how quiet and peaceful it is that the worst suddenly happens.”

In order words, Paul is simply encouraging us to be vigilant and active in our preparation for this day of the Lord. “Gregoreuo” is a Greek word that Paul employed to express the idea of a sleeping man that is always mentally alert. This state of mind is opposite to that of a person who is dead or unconsciously asleep. It is the position we should adopt as Christians while waiting for Christ.

Paul’s call is a call to readiness and to live with eternity’s values in mind. If we do, we will certainly enjoy a better life than those who compromise with the world. Therefore, we live like soldiers in active service (2 Ti 2. 4) and like the virtuous woman working to please her husband and children.

In the gospel, Jesus uses the parable of talent to remind us that we must be ready to render a good account of our talents. God has endowed each one of us with different talents. Each, according to our various capacities. So, as faithful servants, he expects us to render a good account of the “talents” we have received.

Jesus challenges us to be prudent and productive with our talents. Most importantly, he admonishes us to live in anticipation of His inevitable return. We must not wait for this return in idleness. Instead, we must be active and industrious with the talents we have received. So, we must use our talents to the glory of God.

As trustworthy servants, we should avoid indifference, apathy, licentiousness, sloth, and complacency toward our mission. These will not fetch us any reward from Christ. If we are faithful and productive with the talents we have received, Christ, our head, will also say to us: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

Pip: Wisdom, vigilance, the parable of the ten virgins — canicecnjoku is not easing anyone into the liturgical season gently.

Mara: Both homilies this week come from the same Sunday readings — the thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A — and they work through the same territory: what it means to seek wisdom, and what it costs to wait unprepared.

Pip: Let’s start with that question of wisdom and vigilance.

Mara: The central claim across both homilies is that wisdom and preparedness are not separate virtues — they are the same posture, applied to the same problem: how do you wait for something you cannot schedule?

Pip: And the first reading from Wisdom sets the frame immediately. The English homily quotes it directly: “wisdom is found by only those who look for her.” Wisdom is personified as a woman, and the search is active, patient, and non-negotiable.

Mara: The consequence the homily draws from that is stark. Without wisdom, the text says, “our spirituality remains shallow and unbalanced; our religious life would be mere fanaticism.” Wisdom is not a bonus feature of faith — it is the structural load-bearing element.

Pip: Which makes the second reading’s pivot to grief and the Parousia feel less like a detour and more like the same argument in a different register.

Mara: Exactly. Paul tells the Thessalonians not to grieve the dead as people without hope — and the homily quotes him directly: “Do not grieve about them like other people who have no hope. God will bring them with him.” The upshot is that the wise response to loss is not despair but reorientation toward readiness.

Pip: There is a moment in the homily where someone jokes that a broken promise is “like that of Jesus’ Parousia” — and rather than flinching, the text absorbs it. The delay is real. The cynicism is understandable. And the answer is still: only the wise wait.

Mara: That tension carries straight into the parable of the ten virgins in the Gospel, which both the English and Spanish homilies treat as the week’s sharpest illustration. Five virgins prepared, five did not. The Spanish homily names the dividing line plainly — it is “la misma delgada línea que separa la sabiduría y la necedad, el cielo y el infierno.”

Pip: The same thin line. The Spanish homily covers the same ground with the same readings, offering the reflection to a different community — same urgency, different tongue.

Mara: And both versions close on the same image: the soul thirsting for God “like a dry, weary land without water.” Preparation is not anxious stockpiling — it is sustained longing.

Pip: The delay, then, is not a problem to solve. It is the condition under which readiness is built.

Mara: What stays with me is that both homilies treat waiting as active work — not passive endurance, but a posture that requires wisdom to sustain.

Pip: The thin line between wisdom and foolishness, heaven and hell — same Sunday next year, that image will still be doing its work.

Buscan y Esperan al Señor Sabiamente

Lecturas: 1ra: Sb 6, 12-16; Sal: 62, 2-8; 2da: 1 Tes 1, 13-18; Ev: Mt 25, 1-13

Esta breve reflexión fue escrita por el Padre Canice Chukwuemeka Njoku, C.S.Sp., DMin., un sacerdote católico y miembro de la Congregación del Espíritu Santo (Espirítanos), Circunscripción de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. Es director del Santuario del Espíritu Santo, Dorado. El padre Canice es miembro de la Academia de Homilética (The Academy of Homiletics). Para más detalles y comentarios, se puede contactarlo al: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Encuentra otros libros en: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/904854

(Donar @ATH Móvil: Canice Njoku – 7873146309)

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

Hoy, el trigésimo segundo domingo del tiempo ordinario, año A, la Iglesia nos alienta a buscar al Señor y siempre estar dispuesto a acogerlo. Dios mismo es Sabiduría. El que lo encuentre y lo reciba, tendrá la plenitud de la vida en Cristo Jesús. Por lo tanto, debemos pedirle a Dios que nos conceda parte de su sabiduría para saber lo que hacer en todo momento.

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En la primera lectura, se nos recuerda que “la sabiduría es encontrada por sólo aquellos que la buscan”. Aquí, la sabiduría es personificada como mujer. Por lo tanto, sólo se necesita un “hombre sabio” para salir en busca de ella. El hombre sabio hace esto con paciencia y esperanza, y así, nunca se rinde hasta que ha encontrado la sabiduría. Con sabiduría, somos mejores cristianos y más equipados para enfrentar los desafíos de esta vida.

Por desgracia, descuidamos el hecho de que Dios nos concedió sabiduría para saber cómo buscar y adorarle. Sin sabiduría, nuestra espiritualidad sigue siendo superficial y desequilibrada. Sin sabiduría, nuestra vida religiosa sería mero fanatismo. Sin sabiduría, somos perdedores en todos los aspectos de la vida. Con sabiduría, buscamos, encontramos y adoramos a Dios que es sabiduría. Encontrar la sabiduría es encontrar a Dios.

En la segunda lectura, Pablo alienta a los Tesalonicenses, así como a nosotros, a no molestarse o afligirse demasiado por a los que han muerto antes de la segunda venida de Cristo. Es decir, antes de la parusía. “No te preocupes por ellos como otras personas que no tienen esperanza. “Dios los traerá con El”.

Esto se basa en la esperanza que tenemos en la resurrección de los muertos. Así que, en lugar de preocuparse tanto por ellos, lo más sensato es preocuparse por nosotros mismos. Lo que debería molestarnos debería ser cuán preparados somos para recibir al Señor. Es importante notar que no hay tiempo especificado para la segunda venida de Cristo. Pablo sólo nos dice que: “lo veremos cuando aparezca en el cielo.” Esto significa que debemos estar preparados en todo momento.

Una vez, escuché a alguien decir a otro: “Espero que tu promesa no sea como la de la parusía de Jesús”. Se rieron sobre ello. Esto es porque, para ellos, la promesa de Cristo está ahora vacía. Han esperado demasiado tiempo. Cristo también ha retrasado demasiado tiempo. Así que, ya no hay necesidad de confiar en El. Sin embargo, sólo los sabios, esperan pacientemente. Ya sea que estemos vivos o muertos, la promesa de Cristo se cumplirá. ¡seguro que vendrá!

En el Evangelio de este domingo, Jesús usó la parábola de las diez vírgenes para enseñarnos cómo debemos estar preparados y alertas para la parusía. Cinco de las vírgenes que esperaban el tren nupcial eran prudentes, mientras que cinco eran tontos. Lo que separa estas dos categorías de vírgenes es la misma delgada línea que separa la sabiduría y la necedad, el cielo y el infierno, o el bien y el mal.

Es el deber del siervo esperar pacientemente a que su amo regrese. Por lo tanto, el momento de la espera no debe ser un momento cansado para nosotros. Más bien, debe ser un momento de gracia para estar bien preparado. No debemos ser víctimas de la undécima hora.

¿Por qué las otras vírgenes no eran caritativas? La respuesta es simple. Eso habría sido lo más estúpido en ese momento. Esto es porque, a la mitad de la fiesta, todo el aceite terminará y todos estarán en tinieblas. En segundo lugar, no hay excusa para que las vírgenes tontas no tengan suficiente aceite en sus lámparas porque tuvieron tiempo de prepararse.

¡Jesús está en camino! Su “demora” no debe ser una excusa para que no estemos listos. Más bien, debería ser una oportunidad para estar preparado y esperar por El. Por lo tanto, nuestra canción cada momento y tiempo debe ser: “Mi alma está sedienta de ti, oh Señor, Dios mío. “¡Mi cuerpo pino para usted como una tierra cansada seco sin agua!”

¡La paz sea con ustedes!

¡Maranatha!

Seek, And Wait Wisely For The Lord

Readings: Readings: 1st: Wis 6, 12-16; Ps 62, 2-8; 2nd: 1 Thes 1, 13-18; Gos: Mt 25, 1-13

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp., DMin, a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He is Director of Santuario del Espiritu Santo, Dorado Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments, contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Find other books @: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/893122

(Donate @ATH Mobil: Canice Njoku-7873146309)

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

Today, the thirty-second Sunday of ordinary time, year A, the church encourages us to seek the Lord and always be ready to welcome him. God Himself is Wisdom. He who finds and receives Him will have the fullness of life in Christ Jesus. Therefore, we must ask God to grant us a share in His wisdom to know what to always do.

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Today’s first reading reminds us that “wisdom is found by only those who look for her.” Here, Wisdom is personified as a woman. Hence, only a “wise person” searches for her. The wise person does this with patience and hope and never gives up until he/she finds wisdom. With Wisdom, we are better Christians and more equipped to face life’s challenges.

Unfortunately, we neglect the fact that God granted us wisdom to know how to seek and worship Him. Without wisdom, our spirituality remains shallow and unbalanced; our religious life would be mere fanaticism. Without wisdom, we are losers in every aspect of life. With wisdom, we seek, find, and worship God, who Himself is Wisdom. To find Wisdom is to find God.

In today’s second reading, Paul encourages us not to bother or grieve too much about those who have died before the second coming of Christ. That is, before the Parousia. “Do not grieve about them like other people who have no hope. God will bring them with him.”

This advice is based on our hope in the resurrection of the dead. So, the wise thing to do is to worry about us instead of worrying so much about them. How prepared we are to receive the Lord should bother us. It is important to note that there is no specified time for the second coming of Christ. Paul only tells us: “We shall see him when he appears in the sky.” This means we are to be always prepared.

Once, I heard someone say to another, “I hope your promise will not be like that of Jesus’ Parousia?” They laughed over it. The reason is that for them, Christ’s promise is now empty. They have waited too long. Christ has also delayed too long. So, there is no need to trust him anymore. However, only the wise wait patiently. Whether we are dead or alive, Christ’s promise will be fulfilled. He will surely come!

In the gospel of this Sunday, Jesus used the parable of the ten virgins to teach us how we must be prepared and vigilant for the Parousia. Five virgins waiting for the bridal train were wise, while five were foolish. What separates these two categories of waitpersons is the same thin line that separates wisdom and foolishness, heaven, and hell, or good and evil.

The servant must wait patiently for his master to return. Therefore, waiting should not be a weary moment for us. Instead, it should be a moment of grace to be well-prepared. So, we must not become victims of the eleventh hour.

Why were the other virgins not charitable? The answer is simple. That would have been the most stupid thing to do at that moment. This is because, halfway into the party, all the oil will finish, and everyone will be in darkness. Second, there is no excuse for the foolish virgins not to have sufficient oil in their lamps because they had the time to prepare.

Jesus is on the way! His “delay” should not be an excuse for us not to be ready. Instead, it should be an opportunity to be prepared and wait for him. So, our song every moment and time must be: “For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water!”

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

Pip: The unsung heroes of history never gave a TED talk, never trended, and yet — according to Psalm 19 — their voice goes out into all the earth. Convenient timing for a feast day.

Mara: That’s exactly where canicecnjoku takes us this week. The posts center on All Saints — who the saints really are, what made them, and what their example asks of the rest of us still in the fight.

Pip: Let’s start with the homilies themselves.

Mara: The central question both posts put on the table is this: who actually qualifies as a saint? Not just the canonized, officially-named ones — but the vast, anonymous crowd that no institution has ever catalogued.

Pip: And the anchor for that question comes from Psalm 19, quoted right at the opening of the English homily: “They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Mara: So the upshot is that silence is not absence. These are people whose witness traveled without a platform. The feast exists precisely to name what no registry could.

Pip: Which lands harder when you set it against the claim the homily directly refutes — that only a fixed number, one hundred and forty-four thousand, get through the door.

Mara: The first reading from Revelation answers that directly. The homily describes the crowd as so great that no one could count — individuals of all nations, races, peoples, and languages. The kingdom is not a waiting list with a cutoff.

Pip: That’s a meaningful distinction. Exclusivity is the doctrine being pushed back against here, and the scriptural counter is sheer, uncountable multitude.

Mara: The second reading, from First John, carries the argument forward. John writes: “Brothers, now we are the children of God, but it has not been manifested what we shall look like at the end.” The saints are already there; we are still becoming.

Pip: And the Beatitudes close the loop. The English homily lists the credential plainly — poor in spirit, merciful, pure in heart, persecuted — and notes that every saint falls into one or more of those categories. Not all of them, necessarily. One or more.

Mara: The Spanish homily, “honrando todos los santos,” frames the same arc with a phrase that becomes the title: they came, they saw, they struggled, and they conquered. It’s almost athletic — a race run by ordinary mortals.

Pip: Which is the pastoral point both versions are driving toward. The homily speaks directly to the person who feels invisible — working hard, unrecognized, convinced they don’t count.

Mara: And the answer given is not “try harder.” It’s that God already knows you are there. The homily puts it plainly: “You count, you mean a lot to him, and you are on His payment list.”

Pip: The same grace that carried the saints is described as still available. The finish line hasn’t moved; the race is still open.

Mara: Both homilies close with the same invocation — All Saints, pray for us — which pulls the triumphant church and the militant church into the same conversation across the boundary between them.

Pip: The living asking the already-arrived for company on the road. That’s the whole feast, really, in one line.

—

Mara: What stays with me is the image of an uncountable crowd — every nation, every language — as the actual shape of holiness.

Pip: Ordinary people, no podium, voice traveling anyway. Next time we’ll see what else is moving through this site.

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!

Ellos Vinieron, Vieron, Lucharon y Vencieron

Lectura: 1^ra: Ap. 7:2-4. 9-14; Sal 23; 2^da:1 Jn 3:1-3; Ev: Mt 5:1-12

Esta breve reflexión fue escrita por el Padre Canice Chukwuemeka Njoku, C.S.Sp., DMin., un sacerdote católico y miembro de la Congregación del Espíritu Santo (Espirítanos), Circunscripción de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. Es director del Santuario del Espíritu Santo, Dorado. El padre Canice es miembro de la Academia de Homilética (The Academy of Homiletics). Para más detalles y comentarios, se puede contactarlo al: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Encuentra otros libros en: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/904854

(Donar @ATH Móvil: Canice Njoku – 7873146309)

(https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8452-8392)

“No tienen ningún discurso, no utilizan palabras; nadie escucha de ellos. Sin embargo, su voz sale en toda la tierra, sus palabras hasta los confines del mundo. En el cielo, Dios ha lanzado una tienda para el sol.” (Sal 19, 4-5).

Hoy, la Iglesia nos da la oportunidad de celebrar a nuestros héroes desconocidos. La fiesta de todos los Santos es una celebración en reconocimiento a los esfuerzos realizados por muchos “fieles” no oficialmente canonizados o beatificados por la iglesia.

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Contrariamente a la creencia de una secta cristiana conocida, que: “Sólo ciento cuarenta y cuatro mil personas se salvarán o entran en el Reino de Dios”, nuestra primera lectura de hoy, nos da la esperanza que hay suficientes habitaciones en el Reino de Dios para todo aquel que triunfa. Por lo tanto, todos los Santos se refiere a: “La multitud tan grande que nadie podía contar. Eran individuos de todas las naciones y razas, de todos los pueblos y lenguas.”

Esta lectura muestra dos cosas importantes. La primera es que aparte de los Santos canonizados oficialmente, hay muchos más que han vivido una vida heroica y virtuosa. Son desconocidos por los hombres, pero Dios el creador y padre reconoce su esfuerzo y lucha. Son: “Los que han lavado sus vestiduras en la sangre del cordero,” En segundo lugar, también se muestra que el amor de Dios es para todas las naciones.

Por lo tanto, hoy la segunda lectura nos recuerda, cuánto nos ama Dios. Todos los Santos (parte de la iglesia triunfante), ahora disfrutan de la plenitud de este amor. Nosotros (“La Iglesia militante”), que todavía vive, también disfrutamos el amor de Dios. Es este mismo amor que nos sostiene en nuestro camino diario de viaje. Sin embargo, “ahora somos hijos de Dios, pero no se ha manifestado cómo seremos al fin”. Por supuesto, seremos glorificados también como los Santos que celebramos hoy y compartiremos la plenitud del amor de Dios.

El Evangelio de hoy nos da una perfecta credencial de todos los Santos que honramos hoy. Son los verdaderos dichosos. Cada uno de ellos cae en una o más de estas categorías. Eran pobres de espíritu, sufrieron y lloraron por la salvación de los demás. Tenían hambre y sed de justicia y de verdad. En el proceso fueron muy perseguidos y magullados. A pesar de todo esto, eran puros en su corazón, misericordiosos con todos y trabajaron por la paz.

Mientras que esto coincide con el perfil y la recompensa actual de todos los Santos, también nos dejan con una gran esperanza. Todos los Santos eran seres humanos mortales como cada uno de nosotros. Ellos vinieron, vieron, lucharon y conquistaron. La misma gracia que les ayudó está disponible para nosotros hoy. La buena noticia es que, si soportamos, también nosotros disfrutaremos la misma recompensa.

Las lecciones de la celebración de hoy son grandes. Muchas veces he oído a algunas personas decir cosas como: “Mira, he estado trabajando y haciendo mi mejor esfuerzo, sin embargo, nadie me reconoce. Nadie sabe que existo aquí. Nadie se preocupa por mis esfuerzos. No cuentes ni digas nada a nadie.”

Si realmente entendemos quien es Dios, no pensáramos ni habláramos de esta manera. La verdad es que, los seres humanos no pueden apreciar sus esfuerzos y valor, pero Dios lo aprecia. Esto es porque, Él sabe que estás ahí. Eres importante y significas mucho para. Él te ama, y está esperando pacientemente tu superas este mundo para compartir la plenitud de su amor. Así que, como todos los Santos, estás entre la clase de personas que el Señor está buscando. Por eso, Oremos: ¡Todos los Santos, rueguen por nosotros!

¡La paz sea con ustedes!

¡Maranatha!

They Came, They Struggled, and They Conquered

Readings: 1^st: Rev 7, 2-4. 9-14; Ps: 23; 2^nd: 1 Jn 3, 1-3; Gos: Mt 5, 1-12

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp., DMin, a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He is Director of Santuario del Espiritu Santo, Dorado Fr. Canice is a member of the Academy of Homiletics. For more details and comments, contact him at: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

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“They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens, God has pitched a tent for the sun. (Ps. 19, 4-5)”.

Today, the church gives us the opportunity to celebrate our unsung heroes. The Feast of All Saints is a celebration in recognition of the efforts made by many “Faithful” who are not officially canonized or beatified by the church.

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Contrary to the belief of one known Christian sect, that: “Only one hundred and forty-four thousand people will be saved or enter God’s kingdom,” our first reading today gives us hope that there are enough rooms in God’s kingdom for anyone that triumphs. So, All Saints refers to: “The crowd so great that no one could count. They were individuals of all nations and races, of all peoples and languages.”

This reading portrays two essential things. The first is that apart from the officially canonized saints, many more have lived heroic and virtuous lives. They are unsung by men, but God, the Creator, and Father recognize their efforts and struggle. They are: “Those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb,” and now, sing: “Victory, salvation, honor, and glory belong to our God because he is Love!” Second, it also shows that God’s love is for all nations.

Hence, today’s second reading reminds us of how much God loves us. All Saints (the triumphant church) now enjoy the fullness of this love. We (“the militant church”), who are still living also, enjoy God’s love. It is this same love that sustains us in our journey daily journey. However, when we triumph like them, we shall become transformed and share in the fullness of this love.  Hence, John tells us: “Brothers, now we are the children of God, but it has not been manifested what we shall look like at the end.” We shall look like the glorified Christ and the saints. We shall share in the fullness of God’s love.

Today, our gospel gives us a perfect credential of all the Saints that we honor today. They are the real Blessed and Happy. Each one of them falls into one or more of these categories.  They were poor in spirit. They suffered and wept for the salvation of others. They hungered and thirsted for justices and the truth. In the process, they were greatly persecuted and bruised. Despite all these, they were pure in their hearts, merciful to all, and worked for peace.

While this matches the profile and the present reward of All Saints, it also leaves us with great hope and promise. All saints were mortal human beings like each one of us. They came, saw, struggled, and they conquered. The same grace that helped them is still available for us today. The good news is that we shall also enjoy this exact profile and reward if we run and endure the way they did.

The lessons from today’s celebration are great. Many times, I have heard some people say things like: “Look, I have been working and doing my best, yet no one recognizes me. Nobody knows that I exist here. No one cares about my efforts. I do not count or mean anything to anybody” If we understand who God is, we will not think or speak this way.

The truth is that human beings may not appreciate your efforts and worth, but God does. This is because he knows that you are there. You count, you mean a lot to him, and you are on His “payment list.” He loves you and is praying and waiting patiently for you to overcome this world to share in the fullness of his love. So, like All Saints, you are among the class of people that the Lord is searching for. All Saints, Pray for us!

Peace be with you!

Maranatha!

Pip: Love your neighbor as yourself — simple enough, unless you’ve met your neighbors.

Mara: This episode covers Fr. Canice Njoku’s homily reflections on the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, exploring what the readings say about love’s two dimensions: the vertical, toward God, and the horizontal, toward the people right in front of us. Let’s start with that territory.

Mara: The central question this Sunday is deceptively simple: what is the greatest commandment? Jesus answers it, but the answer turns out to have two axes — and the harder one might surprise you.

Pip: The homily sets up the vertical dimension first, then pivots to the one we tend to skip. Here’s the line that does the real work: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul.” But the reflection is quick to note that loving God with body and soul requires, quote, “a lot of sacrifice and humility.”

Mara: And the upshot is that the vertical dimension is the prerequisite — you can’t shortcut to the horizontal without it. But the homily argues the reverse is also true: you can’t claim the vertical while ignoring the horizontal.

Pip: Which is where the first reading earns its place. Through Moses, God warns against oppressing the stranger, the widow, the orphan. The logic is direct — injustice against the vulnerable is incompatible with love of God. The weak and defenseless aren’t a footnote; they’re the test case.

Mara: The second reading reinforces this from a different angle. Paul writes to the Thessalonians about their conversion from paganism, framing their acceptance of the gospel as itself an act of love — a response to being loved first. The homily reads that as encouragement to endure in love until the Lord’s return.

Pip: So by the time the gospel lands, the framework is already built. And then comes the line that closes the loop — Saint Augustine’s: “Love and do whatever you will. Whether you hold your peace, through love, hold your peace; whether you cry out, through love cry out; whether you correct, through love correct.”

Mara: What Augustine is getting at, and what the homily draws out, is that love isn’t one action — it’s the root condition. Everything else grows from it, or it doesn’t count.

Pip: The Spanish-language reflection covers the same ground for a different community, same readings, same two-axis framework — love as vertical and horizontal, caridad starting at home.

Mara: And both versions land on the same closing line from the psalm: “I love you, Lord, my strength.” The communal proclamation as the answer to the commandment.

Pip: Two dimensions, one commandment — and the horizontal is the one we keep underestimating.

Mara: Next time, more from the ordinary time readings. The season is long for a reason.