Pip: There’s a question at the center of this week’s posts that has been asked for two thousand years and somehow still lands fresh: who do you say I am?

Mara: That’s the thread canicecnjoku pulls on this week — a Sunday homily on Matthew 16 and Peter’s confession, delivered in both English and Spanish, exploring what it means to recognize Christ through the Holy Spirit. Let’s start with that question and where it leads.

Mara: The homily opens on a tension that runs through all three readings for the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time: recognition. Not just knowing a name, but the kind of knowing that requires something of you — docility, relationship, an open conscience.

Pip: The English homily sets the stakes directly, quoting Paul’s letter to the Romans: “How rich are the depths of God, how impossible it to penetrate his motive or understand his methods, who could ever know the mind of God?”

Mara: And the point isn’t that God is unknowable — it’s that the path to knowing runs through humility. The homily traces that through Eliakim in the first reading, who prefigures Christ precisely because he was faithful and humble, not powerful and proud.

Pip: So the key of David doesn’t go to the person who grabbed for it. That’s a quietly pointed observation.

Mara: Right, and it sets up Peter’s moment in the gospel. Jesus asks his disciples directly: “Whom do people say I am? You, whom do you say I am?” The answers from the crowd are all wrong — and then Peter says it plainly.

Pip: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Which the homily calls the answer to the messianic secret. And the follow-up question the homily asks is: how did Peter know? The answer given is simple — God revealed it through the Holy Spirit.

Mara: That’s where the homily locates the whole argument. Recognition isn’t intellectual achievement; it’s the fruit of being, as the text puts it, docile to the Spirit. The Spanish-language homily, the Homilía del Vigésimo Primer Domingo, covers the same ground and closes with the same Philippians citation — that our greatest desire should be to know Christ, share in his suffering, and become like him in his death.

Pip: Both versions end there, in the same place, in two languages — which feels like the point about the church being one thing across many voices.

Mara: The homily frames Peter’s authority the same way: the keys are a sign of apostolic and ministerial authority, made possible because he recognized Christ first. Authority follows recognition, not the other way around.

Pip: So the question “who do you say I am” isn’t rhetorical. It’s the entrance exam, and the Holy Spirit is the only study guide that works.

Mara: That’s essentially the closing move of both homilies — you cannot answer fully unless you’re docile to the Spirit who reveals the depth of God’s mind.

Pip: Two languages, one question, and the same answer waiting at the end of both.

Mara: Next week, we’ll see where that question leads when the readings turn toward what recognition actually demands in practice.

Reconociendo A Cristo, el Hijo De Dios Vivo

Lecturas: 1^ra: Is 22: 19-23; Sal: 137, 1-3.6. 8; 2^da: Rom 11:33-36; Ev: Mt 16:13-20

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). Es un misionero en Puerto Rico. Es director del Santuario del Espíritu Santo, Dorado, y el Superior Mayor de la Congregación del Espíritu Santo (Espirítanos), Circunscripción de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. 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)

En este vigésimo primer domingo, la Iglesia nos une para reconocer y reverenciar a Cristo. Es sólo cuando reconocemos quién es Cristo, como lo hizo Pedro, que podamos apreciar su grandeza. Sin embargo, esto sólo es posible a través del poder del Espíritu Santo.

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En la primera lectura de hoy, Dios manifestó su poder como el Señor Soberano. Destronaba a los orgullosos y malvados Sebna, y exaltaba al humilde y fiel Eliakim. En esta lectura, Eliakim prefigura a Cristo, el Mesías: “El que tiene la llave de David, el que abre y nadie cierra, y se cierra y nadie se abre “(Ap 3:7). A través de su humildad, Dios le dio toda la autoridad tanto en el cielo como en la tierra. A su vez, a través de su declaración solemne, Cristo delegó la misma autoridad a Pedro sobre su iglesia en el Evangelio de hoy.

En la segunda lectura, Pablo exalta la grandeza de Dios. Él contempla: “¡Qué inmensa y rica es la sabiduría de Dios! ¿Que impenetrable son sus designios…Quien ha conocido jamás el pensamiento del Señor o ha llegado a ser su consejero?” Seguramente, como humanos, no podemos comprender la sabiduría y la grandeza de Dios. Sin embargo, Dios se revela a los que lo aman, y a quien él decida revelarse a sí mismo.

Él revela la profundidad de su mente a aquel que está dispuesto a ir más allá con él, y a aquel que es dócil al espíritu de Dios. Por lo tanto, no es de extrañar que él se reveló de una manera muy especial a sus siervos humildes como María, Pedro, Pablo y otros apóstoles.

Se revela a los que le buscan en la verdad, honestidad y con una conciencia clara. Él se ha revelado completamente a nosotros en Jesucristo. Por lo tanto, sólo aquellos que permiten que los ojos de su mente sean iluminados por el Espíritu Santo pueden comprender las profundidades del motivo de Dios.

El Evangelio de hoy comienza de una manera muy dramática e interesante. Jesús era consciente de la confusión sobre su personalidad y misión. Por lo tanto, él decidió saber lo que sus discípulos piensan de él: “¿Quién dice la gente que es el hijo del hombre?” ¿Y ustedes, quien dicen que soy? De la respuesta de algunos de ellos, era obvio que no tenían una idea clara de quién era Cristo.

Pedro vino a su rescate. “¡Tú eres el Mesías, el hijo del Dios vivo!” Esta es la respuesta al “secreto mesiánico” (MK 1:43-35). ¿Cómo lo supo Pedro? ¡Simple! Dios mismo lo reveló a él a través del Espíritu Santo como Jesús afirmó.

La respuesta de Pedro, provocó una declaración muy importante de Cristo, similar a la de nuestra primera lectura. Las llaves fueron dadas a Pedro como un signo de su autoridad apostólica y ministerial sobre toda la iglesia de Cristo. Esto se hizo posible porque reconoció a Cristo. Así que, Cristo no se equivocó haciéndole la cabeza de su iglesia terrenal. Esta es la posición que Pedro ocupa hasta hoy a través de la sucesión apostólica de los papas.

Si Cristo nos ponga la misma pregunta hoy, “¿quién dices que soy?” ¿Qué sería nuestra respuesta? No podemos comprender quién es Cristo a menos que tengamos una relación íntima con él. Una vez más, y lo más importante, no podemos responder plenamente a esta pregunta a menos que seamos dóciles al Espíritu Santo que nos revela la profundidad de la mente de Dios para nosotros.

 Finalmente, sólo los creyentes que reconocen quién es Cristo, tienen un lugar especial en él. Por lo tanto, nuestro mayor deseo cada día debe ser: “Conocer a Cristo, experimentar el poder que se manifestó en su resurrección, participar en sus sufrimientos y llegar a ser semejante a él en su muerte” (Phil 3:10).

¡La paz sea con ustedes!

¡Maranatha!

Recognizing Christ, The Son Of The Living God

Readings: 1st: Is 22, 19-23; Ps 137, 1-3.6. 8; 2nd: Rom 11, 33-36; Gos: Mt 16, 13-20

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). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is Director of Santuario del Espiritu Santo, Dorado, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. 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)

On this twenty-first Sunday, the church enjoins us to recognize and reverence Christ. We can appreciate his greatness when we recognize who Christ is, as Peter did. However, this is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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In today’s first reading, God manifested his power as the sovereign Lord. He dethroned the proud and wicked Shebna and exalted the humble and faithful Eliakim. In this reading, Eliakim prefigures Christ, the messiah: He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shuts, and no one opens” (Rev 3:7). Through his humility, God gave him all authority both in heaven and on earth. Christ delegated the same authority to Peter over his church through His solemn declaration, as we see in today’s gospel.

In the second reading, Paul exalts the greatness of God. He contemplates: “How rich are the depths of God, how impossible it to penetrate his motive or understand his methods, who could ever know the mind of God?” Indeed, as humans, we cannot fathom the wisdom and greatness of God. However, God reveals himself to those who love him and to whomever he chooses to reveal himself.

He reveals the depth of his mind to the one willing to go the extra mile with him and to the one who is docile to the Spirit of God. So, it is unsurprising that he revealed himself extraordinarily to his humble servants like Mary, Peter, Paul, and other apostles.

He reveals himself to those who seek him truthfully, honestly, and with a clear conscience. He has revealed himself fully to us in Jesus Christ. Hence, only those who allow the eyes of their mind to be illumined by the Holy Spirit can comprehend the depths of God’s motive.

Today’s gospel begins dramatically and interestingly. Jesus was aware of the confusion about his personality and mission. So, He decided to know what his disciples think about him: “Whom do people say I am? You, whom do you say I am?” From the response of some of them, it was obvious that they had no clear idea of who Christ was.

Peter came to their rescue. “You are the Christ, the son of the living God!” This answers the “messianic secret” (Mk 1: 43-35). How did Peter know this? Simple! God himself revealed it to him through the Holy Spirit, as Jesus affirmed.

The response of Peter provoked a fundamental declaration from Christ, similar to the one in our first reading. Christ gave Peter the keys as a sign of his apostolic and ministerial authority over the entire church of Christ. This became possible because he recognized Christ. So, Christ was not wrong in making him the head of his earthly church. He occupies this position today through the apostolic succession of the Popes.

If Christ were to ask us the same question today, “who do you say I am”? What would be our response? We cannot comprehend Christ’s identity unless we have an intimate relationship with him. Again, and most importantly, we cannot respond fully to this question unless we are docile to the Holy Spirit, who reveals the depth of God’s mind.

Finally, only believers who recognize who Christ is, have a special place in him. Therefore, our greatest desire every day should be, as Paul says, “To know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share in his suffering by becoming like him in his death” (Phil 3:10).

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

Pip: Mercy without borders — that’s a bold claim for any institution to make, and this week’s homilies from canicec njoku take it seriously enough to build an entire Sunday around it.

Mara: Right — the posts this episode covers are paired homilies on the same scripture readings, one in English and one in Spanish, both centered on what God’s mercy actually requires of the people receiving it.

Pip: Let’s start with the homilies themselves and what they’re actually arguing.

Mara: The core question both homilies are wrestling with is this: if God’s mercy is genuinely without borders, what does that mean for the people on the receiving end — and is there a condition attached?

Pip: The English homily, “Homily For The 20th Sunday Of Ordinary Time, Year A,” sets that up directly with Paul’s letter to the Romans, and the quote that anchors the whole argument is this: “God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.”

Mara: That’s the hinge. It means divine mercy isn’t contingent on human faithfulness — Israel disobeyed, and the homily’s point is that God waited anyway. The gifts don’t get recalled.

Pip: But here’s where it gets interesting, because the homily immediately qualifies that. God’s patience doesn’t collapse into universalism — there’s still a requirement on the human side.

Mara: Exactly. The homily is careful to separate availability from automaticity. When Paul says “mercy to all,” the text explains he is not saying God will save everyone — rather, his mercy is available to all those who will respond accordingly to his invitation.

Pip: So mercy is the open door, and faith is the hand that pushes it. That’s a meaningful distinction, and it keeps the homily from reading as either exclusionary or blandly optimistic.

Mara: The Gospel reading — the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 — does the practical work of illustrating that. Jesus initially hesitates, and the homily reads that hesitation not as rejection but as a test of persistence.

Pip: Which is either theologically elegant or a very diplomatic reading of a difficult passage, depending on your mood.

Mara: The Spanish homily, “Homilía del Vigésimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Año A,” covers the same territory for a Spanish-speaking congregation, and it lands the same conclusion with its own phrasing: “la fe tan pequeña como la semilla de mostaza” — faith as small as a mustard seed is sufficient.

Mara: What the paired format accomplishes is reach. The same argument about mercy being borderless is itself delivered without a language border — which gives the homilies a kind of structural integrity that matches their theme.

Pip: Preaching about universal welcome in two languages simultaneously is either very on-brand or the clearest possible demonstration of the point.

Mara: Both homilies close on the same image: the Canaanite woman crying out “Son of David, take pity on me” — held up not as a historical figure but as a model for anyone who needs mercy and hasn’t given up asking.

Pip: The argument across both posts is consistent — mercy is unconditional in its availability, conditional in its reception, and demonstrated best by the people who keep asking despite every apparent reason to stop.

Mara: The throughline here is that mercy operates at scale — across nations, across languages — but it’s received one act of persistence at a time.

Pip: Next week, we’ll see what territory the site moves into from here.

La Misericordia De Dios Alcance Todas Naciones  

Lecturas: 1^ra: Is 53, 1. 6-7; Sal: 66; 2^da: Rom 11, 13-15. 29-32; Ev: Mt 15, 21-28

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). Es un misionero en Puerto Rico. Es director del Santuario del Espíritu Santo, Dorado, y el Superior Mayor de la Congregación del Espíritu Santo (Espirítanos), Circunscripción de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. 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)

En este vigésimo Domingo del tiempo ordinario, la iglesia llama nuestra atención a la invitación y misericordia de Dios a toda la humanidad. La invitación y la misericordia de Dios es sin fronteras. Esto significa que todos tenemos igualdad de oportunidades a través de nuestra respuesta de fe.

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En la primera lectura, Dios promete unir a todas las naciones. Esta es la expansión y extensión de su proyecto de salvación hacia todas las naciones de la tierra. Primero, este proyecto comenzó con, y fue para Israel, “el primogénito de Dios” (Ex 2:22). Ahora, debido a su misericordia, Dios lo extiende a todas las demás naciones de la tierra.

Esta es una demostración de su misericordia para todas las naciones, que a través de la fe responderá a su invitación. Así que, Dios promete que él traerá incluso extranjeros a su casa: “Estos, traeré a mi montaña santa.” Voy a hacerlos felices en mi casa.” Sin embargo, esta promesa se basa en una condición. “Se han adherido al Señor, para amarlo, servirle y darle culto.”

En la segunda lectura, Pablo también toca el mismo acorde como hizo Isaías. Es suficiente notar que cuando Pablo dice: “misericordia a todos”, no está diciendo que Dios salvará a todos. Más bien, que su misericordia está a disposición de todos los que responderán en consecuencia a su invitación. Porque, “Quienquiera que invoca el nombre del Señor, será salvado” (Hch 2:21).

Así, Pablo demuestra su confianza en la misericordia de Dios. Insiste en que, aunque algunos han rechazado a Dios como lo hizo Israel (el pueblo de la alianza), Dios mismo no los rechazó ni los olvidó. Esto es porque, “Dios no se arrepiente de sus dones ni de su elección.” Él es verdadero y fiel a su palabra y promesa.

Por lo tanto, Pablo nos recuerda que Dios no ha olvidado a su pueblo elegido a pesar de que lo desobedecieron. No, Dios no renuncia a nadie, ni siquiera a los que lo rechazaron. Más bien, sigue esperando a todos. Pablo nos advierte que no debemos ser orgullosos o hacen faltan de misericordia a los demás por la misericordia que hemos recibido de Cristo.

Esto es porque nuestra situación no tiene nada que ver con los méritos. Más bien, somos quienes somos, a través de la misericordia y la bondad de Dios. De hecho, “Porque por gracia ustedes han sido salvados mediante la fe; esto no procede de ustedes, sino que es el regalo de Dios” (Ef 2:8).

El Evangelio de hoy va más allá para ilustrar la universalidad de la misericordia de Dios. Sin embargo, que Jesús estaba inicialmente indeciso a escuchar a la mujer, tal vez podría haber sido para poner a prueba su fe. En palabras de orden, a pesar del hecho de que Dios está listo para mostrarnos misericordia, él requiere algo de nosotros: “la fe tan pequeña como la semilla de mostaza” (Mt 17:20). Un requisito muy importante para recibir esta misericordia es la cantidad de fe que demostramos en Jesucristo.

 La de mujer de cananea demostró su fe en Cristo. Por supuesto, Cristo le mostró su misericordia por curar su hija. Su persistencia también vale la pena emular. A pesar de todas las probabilidades, y lo que parecía como el rechazo de Jesús a responder a ella, ella no se cansó o desanimado de pedirle a Cristo.

Así que, como esta mujer cananea, todos y cada uno de nosotros necesita la misericordia de Dios. Todo lo que necesitamos hacer es demostrar nuestra fe en Cristo y él nos mostrará su misericordia.

Hoy, Jesús está cerca de nosotros. Así que, como esta mujer, debemos clamar a Él: “Hijo de David, ten piedad de mí.”

¡La paz sea con ustedes!

¡Maranatha!¡La paz sea con ustedes!

¡Maranatha!

God’s Mercy reaches all Nations

Readings: 1st: Is 53, 1. 6-7; Ps 66, 2-3. 5-6; 2nd: Rom 11, 13-15. 29-32; Gos: Mt 15, 21-28

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). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is Director of Santuario del Espiritu Santo, Dorado, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. 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)

On this twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church draws our attention to God’s invitation and mercy to humanity. God’s invitation and mercy are without borders. This means that we all have equal opportunities to do it through our response of faith.

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In the first reading, God promises to bring all nations together. This is the expansion and extension of His salvation project toward all nations of the earth. First, this project began with, and was for Israel, “God’s firstborn” (Ex 2:22). Now, out of his mercy, God extends it to all other nations of the earth.

This demonstrates God’s mercy for all nations who will respond to his invitation through faith. So, God promises that He will bring even foreigners to his house: “These, I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house.” However, this promise is based on one condition. “They have attached themselves to the Lord in order to love him and to serve him.”

In the second reading, Paul also strikes the same chord as Isaiah. It suffices to note that when Paul says, “Mercy to all,” he is not saying God will save everyone. Instead, His mercy is available to all those who will respond accordingly to his invitation. For “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2: 21).

So, Paul demonstrates his confidence in God’s mercy. He insists that, although some have rejected God as Israel (the covenant people) did, God himself has not rejected or forgotten them. This is because “God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.” He is trustworthy and faithful to his word and promise.

Hence, Paul reminds us that God has not forgotten his chosen people even though they disobeyed Him. No, God does not give up on anyone, even those who rejected him. Instead, He continues to wait patiently for all. So, Paul warns us not to be proud or unmerciful to others because of the mercy we have received from Christ.

This is because our situation has nothing to do with merits. Instead, we are who we are through the mercy and kindness of God. Indeed, “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).

Today’s gospel goes further to illustrate the universality of God’s mercy. However, the fact that Jesus initially hesitated to listen to the woman perhaps could have been to test her faith. In order words, even though God is ready to show us mercy, he requires something from us: “faith as small as the mustard seed” (Mt 17: 20). An essential requirement for receiving this mercy is the amount of faith we demonstrate in Jesus Christ.  

The woman demonstrated her faith in Christ. Of course, Christ showed her mercy by healing her daughter. Her persistence is also worth emulating. Despite all odds and what looked like Jesus’ refusal to answer her, she did not give up. So, like this Canaanite woman, each one needs God’s mercy. We need to demonstrate our faith in Christ, and he will show us his mercy.

Today, Jesus is close to us. So, like this woman, we must cry to Him: “Son of David, take pity on me.”

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

En Paciencia y Fe, Caminemos con el Señor

Lecturas: 1^ra: I Re 19:9. 11-13; Sal: 84:9-14; 2^da: Rom 9:1-5; Ev: Mt 14:22-33

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). Es un misionero en Puerto Rico. Es director del Santuario del Espíritu Santo, Dorado, y el Superior Mayor de la Congregación del Espíritu Santo (Espirítanos), Circunscripción de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. 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)

De hecho, se necesita mucha paciencia para trabajar y caminar con Dios. Esto se debe a que, a veces, Dios actúa de una manera que puede volver loco a un ser humano promedio o a un cristiano. Si no perdemos la fe en esos momentos, Dios seguramente hará que todo sea perfecto en su tiempo señalado. Solo debemos confiar, obedecer, ser pacientes y no volvernos locos porque volvernos locos no resolverá ningún problema.

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Lo vimos en la primera lectura de hoy. ¿Por qué Dios ordenaría a un hombre tan cansado, asustado y corriendo por su vida? “Sal de la cueva y quédate en el monte para ver al Señor, porque el Señor va a pasar”, con todo su ambiente duro, frío y ventoso. ¡Esto no es Justo! ¡Esto debe ser una locura! De acuerdo, el pobre hombre obedeció, sin embargo, tuvo que soportar estar parado en lo alto y ser golpeado por diferentes condiciones atmosféricas antes de la llegada de Dios.

¿Es esto todo lo que tienes que decirme después de todo lo que he soportado en manos de mis enemigos y esta desafiante condición atmosférica a la que has expuesto mi débil cuerpo? Muchas más preguntas de este tipo deben haber llenado la mente de Elías, quien quería que Dios le concediera el alivio de la muerte de sus muchos problemas. En cambio, recibió más problemas de Dios.

El punto es este. Encontramos a Dios donde menos esperamos encontrarlo. Él hace las cosas en sus términos y cuando más nos beneficiará. Desafortunadamente, no lo vemos así, especialmente cuando estamos cansados ​​y abrumados por las pruebas y tribulaciones de nuestra vida diaria.

Hermanos y hermanas, si somos lo suficientemente pacientes, Dios vendrá, pero vendrá en su propio tiempo y condiciones cuando y donde menos lo esperemos. Nunca falta a una cita. ¡Espera, mi querido amigo, espera, él vendrá! Aunque seas arrojado al frío y al viento, aunque tu carne arda, no tengas miedo de esperar, él vendrá, y cuando quieres venir, arreglará todas las cosas, y todo lo que te parezca una locura se aclarará.

En el evangelio de hoy, vemos que se repite un modelo similar. ¡Qué broma tan peligrosa y loca! No solo que los dejó solos en la barca y la tormenta; también, Cristo apareció de la nada, caminando sobre el mar como un fantasma. ¿Quién hace tal cosa: asustar a sus seres queridos hasta la muerte? Esto debe ser una locura, pero hizo estas locuras por la seguridad de sus amados discípulos. Llegó en al momento adecuado. Como su padre, nunca falta a una cita.

Incluso cuando nuestra fe en él se desvanece, su amor y protección por nosotros se fortalecen. Él les dijo: “Tranquilícense y no teman. Soy yo”. Una simple prueba me convencerá, pensó Pedro para sí mismo. Inmediatamente, pidió: “Señor, si eres tú, mándame ir a ti caminando sobre el agua”. Por supuesto, mi amigo respondió Cristo, “¡Ven!”

Ahora que Pedro ha entendido el significado de la locura, sale al mar y comienza a caminar hacia el maestro. Caminó sobre el mar como el maestro, pero le faltó el coraje del maestro. De repente, Pedro perdió la concentración, su fe mermó y el miedo primordial que los envolvió durante toda la noche se apoderó de él. Otra vez, el Señor intervino al grito, “¡Señor, sálvame!” Intervino porque nunca faltaba a una cita. Él siempre está ahí cuando más lo necesitamos, aunque parece que se retrasa.

Hoy, Pedro es un modelo típico de lo que nos sucede en nuestro caminar con el Señor. Empezamos fuertes y llenos de celo ante la llamada del Señor. Si nos enfocamos en él, nunca nos hundiremos. Comenzamos a resbalar y caer una vez que perdemos el enfoque y sentimos las fuerzas del mundo que nos rodea.

Entonces, pidamos a Dios que nos sostenga con paciencia y fortalezca nuestra fe para que podamos ser lo suficientemente fuertes para enfrentar las tormentas de esta vida.

¡La paz sea con todos ustedes!

¡Maranata!

In Patience and Fath, let us Walk with the Lord

Readings: 1st: I Kg 19:9. 11-13; Ps 84:9-14; 2nd: Rom 9:1-5; Gos: Mt 14:22-33

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). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico. He is Director of Santuario del Espiritu Santo, Dorado, and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. 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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Indeed, it takes much patience to work and walk with God. This is because, at times, God acts in a way that can drive an average human being or Christian crazy. If we do not lose faith at such moments, God will surely make all thing perfect at his appointed time. All we need to do is trust, obey, be patient, and not go crazy because going crazy will not solve any problem.

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We saw this in today’s first reading. Why should God order such a tired man, scared and running for his life, “Go outside and stand on the mountain,” with all its harsh, cold, and windy environment? This must be crazy! Okay, the poor man obeyed, yet, he had to endure standing aloft and being battered by different atmospheric conditions before God’s arrival.

Is this all that you have to say after all that I have endured in the hands of my enemies and this challenging atmospheric condition you have exposed my weak body to? Many more such questions must have filled the mind of Elijah, who wanted God to grant him death relief from his many troubles. Instead, he got more troubles from God.

The point is this. We find God where we least expect to find him. He does things on his terms and when it will benefit us the most. Unfortunately, we do not see it this way, especially once we are tired and overwhelmed by the tests and trials of our daily life.

Brothers and sisters, if we are patient enough, God will come, but he will come at his own time and terms when and where we least expect him. He never misses an appointment. Wait, my dear friend, wait, he will come! Though you are cast out in the cold and wind, though your flesh burns, do not be wary of waiting, he will come, and when he comes, he will make all things right, and all that seems crazy to you will become clear.

In today’s gospel, we see a similar pattern repeat itself. What a dangerous and crazy joke that was! Not only that he also left them alone in the boat and storm; Christ appeared from nowhere, walking on the sea like a ghost. Who does such a thing – scare his beloved ones to death? This must be crazy, but he did this crazy stuff for the safety of his beloved disciples. He came at the right time. Like his father, he never misses an appointment.

Even when our faith in him fades, his love and protection for us become stronger. He said to them, “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” One simple test will convince me, Peter thought to himself. Immediately, he requested, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Of course, my friend responded Christ, “Come!”

Now that Peter has understood the meaning of this craziness, he steps out on the sea and begins to walk towards the master. He walked on the sea like the master but lacked the courage of the master. Suddenly, Peter lost concentration, his faith dwindled, and the primordial fear that enveloped them throughout the night took control of him. Again, the Lord intervened at the scream, “Lord, save me!” He intervened because he never misses an appointment. He is always there when we need him most though it seems he delays.

Today, Peter is a typical model of what happens to us in our walk with the Lord. We start strong and full of zeal at the Lord’s call. If we focus on him, we will never sink. We begin to slip and fall once we lose focus and feel the forces of the world around us.

So, let us ask God to sustain us in patience and strengthen our faith that we might be strong enough to face the storms of this life.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!

Pip: There’s a particular kind of Sunday that arrives with bread, fish, and a question about whether anything in the universe can actually pull you away from love — and this week, frcanicenjoku covers exactly that territory, in two languages.

Mara: That’s right. canicecnjoku reflects on the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, working through the same scripture in both Spanish and English — unconditional love, the feeding of the five thousand, and what Paul’s confidence about nothing separating us from God actually means in practice. Let’s start with the Spanish homily.

Pip: The Spanish homily opens on a claim that’s easy to say and harder to sit with — that God’s love isn’t conditional, and that the Eucharist is where that love becomes tangible, something that sustains rather than merely reassures.

Mara: The reflection draws that claim directly from Paul. Setting up the second reading, it quotes Romans with real force: “Ni siquiera problemas, persecuciones, carencias. Ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni ninguna cosa creada puede separarnos del amor de Dios.”

Pip: So the upshot is that Paul isn’t offering comfort as a vague feeling — he’s listing specific threats and ruling them out one by one. Persecution, death, created things. None of them make the cut.

Mara: And the homily carries that logic into the Gospel. The feeding of the five thousand isn’t just a miracle story; it’s read as a sign of superabundance — twelve baskets of leftovers as evidence that when God gives, nothing is rationed.

Pip: There’s something almost structural about that image — the miracle doesn’t just meet the need, it exceeds it visibly, publicly, in baskets you have to carry home.

Mara: The reflection also names four things the Gospel teaches: that Jesus empathizes with distress, never turns anyone away, makes the impossible happen, and that the multiplication of loaves prefigures the Eucharist itself. The ordinary and the sacramental are being read as the same gesture.

Pip: Which is where the invitation from Isaiah lands — “venga, escuche, preste atención y tu alma vivirá” — come, listen, pay attention. The conditions are minimal. The offer is not.

Mara: That’s the thread the English homily picks up and develops in its own register — same readings, different texture. Let’s follow it there.

Pip: The English homily covers the same Sunday but finds its own footing — it’s less a translation and more a parallel argument, building the same case from the same scriptures with its own emphases.

Mara: The first reading gets unpacked with more granularity here. God’s invitation is described as simple almost to the point of surprise: “Come…listen, listen to me…pay attention, come to me, listen, and your soul will live.”

Pip: Three verbs. No prerequisites. The homily calls it urgent precisely because delay shrinks the window — not because God withdraws, but because we drift.

Mara: Paul’s confidence in the second reading is framed the same way — he speaks as someone who has actually experienced the love he’s describing, not theorizing about it. The English version emphasizes that the friendship between Christ and a believer is what none of those forces can diminish.

Pip: And the Gospel section lands on a line that earns its weight: “His banner over us is love.” It’s from Song of Songs, and it reframes the whole feeding narrative — not a problem solved, but a love displayed.

Mara: The closing point is quietly demanding. The people who offered their loaves and fish weren’t bystanders — they participated in the miracle by contributing what little they had. The homily ends by extending that invitation to the listener directly.

Pip: Two languages, one argument: love that heals, feeds, and refuses to be separated from the people it reaches.

Mara: And the question that follows both reflections is the same — what do you bring, and are you willing to hand it over.

Pip: Two homilies, one Sunday, and a claim that nothing — not trouble, not death, not anything created — gets between you and that love. That’s a lot to carry into an ordinary week.

Mara: It is. And next time, we’ll see what other territory these reflections open up.

El Amor Incondicional de Dios: Nos Sana y Libera

Lecturas: 1^ra: Is 55: 1-3; Ps: 55: 1-3; 2^da: Rom 8: 35. 37-39; Ev: Mt 14: 13-21

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). Es un misionero en Puerto Rico. Es director del Santuario del Espíritu Santo, Dorado, y el Superior Mayor de la Congregación del Espíritu Santo (Espirítanos), Circunscripción de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana. 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.

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En este decimoctavo Domingo del tiempo ordinario, la iglesia llama nuestra atención una vez más al amor incondicional de Dios manifestado plenamente en su hijo, Jesucristo. Este amor nos sostiene a través de la Eucaristía.

En nuestra primera lectura, Dios extiende una invitación especial y universal a todos nosotros. Nos ofrece todo gratuitamente. Lo único que Dios necesita es: “venga…escuche, preste atención y tu alma vivirá “.

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Esta es una invitación universal. Es urgente porque, cuanto más retrasamos, menos oportunidades tendremos. A través de esta invitación, Isaías nos recuerda que Dios quiere que experimentemos su amor, consuelo y provisión (Is 40.1).

En nuestra segunda lectura, Pablo habla con gran confianza del amor de Dios por nosotros. Por supuesto, habla como uno que ha experimentado este amor. Él nos asegura que nada puede separarnos del amor de Cristo: “Ni siquiera problemas, persecuciones, carencias. Ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni ninguna cosa creada puede separarnos del amor de Dios.” Pablo enfatiza la incapacidad de todos estos para separarnos del amor de Cristo. Ninguno de estos es capaz de disminuir el amor y la amistad que existe entre Cristo y todo verdadero creyente.

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús demostró prácticamente su amor por su pueblo. La alimentación de cinco mil personas muestra la profunda generosidad y amor de Dios hacia nosotros. Las doce canastas de pescado y pan que se recogieron después del milagro de Cristo es también un signo de la generosidad de Dios.

Es una señal de los dones de Dios a nosotros. Es decir, dones que traen bendición, sanación y refrescan tanto nuestra alma y cuerpo. Dios nunca está cansado de cuidarnos, y Jesús nunca defrauda a aquellos que lo buscan fervientemente.

¿Qué aprendemos del Evangelio de hoy? Primero, Jesús simpatiza y empatiza con nosotros en nuestra angustia. Siente lo que sentimos y viene a nuestra ayuda. Segundo, cada vez que venimos a él, nunca nos echa fuera. Tercero, Cristo hace lo imposible posible por nuestro bien. Cuarto, el milagro de la multiplicación de los panes, es un signo que prefigura la superabundancia la Eucaristía. Expresa la grandeza del amor con lo que Dios nos sostiene en nuestro viaje.

Finalmente, el amor de Dios nos sigue sanando todos los días de nuestra vida. Sigue multiplicando nuestros panes. Cristo nos sigue confortando y nutriendo. Siempre, sobre nosotros enarboló su bandera de amo (Cantares 2:4). Cuando Dios da, da abundantemente. Los que presentaron sus panes y peces fueron instrumentos del amor de Dios en las manos de Cristo. Por lo tanto, participaron en el milagro de Jesús. Cristo cuenta con nosotros para proveerlos en el momento adecuado.

¡La paz sea con ustedes!

¡Maranatha!