Dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings remind us that we have the freedom to say “Yes” or “No” to God, but our freedom also makes us responsible for our choices. Sometimes we say “No” to God through our sins, selfishness, or by choosing our own way. Yet God never stops calling us back. He is a merciful Father who gives [...]
Dear brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel presents us with the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. At first, the story may seem strange and even unfair. Some workers labor all day under the heat of the sun, while others come only at the last hour, yet everyone receives the same wage. From a human point of view, we may [...]
Dear brothers and sisters, Today the Word of God speaks to us about one of the most difficult but most important aspects of Christian life: forgiveness. We all know how difficult it can be to forgive someone who has hurt us, disappointed us, or offended us. Yet Jesus makes forgiveness an essential part of following Him. In the Gospel, Peter [...]
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on responsibility, correction, forgiveness, and commitment within our Christian community. Because of our human weakness and sinfulness, we all need God’s mercy and forgiveness. We turn with confidence to God, our loving Father, knowing that just as we are bound to Him in love, we are also bound to one another. Our faith is [...]
The readings today invite us to reflect on faithfulness. Faithfulness means remaining true to God, to our commitments, and to our vocation, especially when it becomes difficult. It is easy to be faithful when everything is going well; the real test comes when following God requires sacrifice. In the first reading, Jeremiah discovers the cost of being faithful to his [...]
During the week, I walked to the construction site and met some men from Ameren who were working to connect the gas line from the main pipe to our new parish hall. They were checking whether the pressure was sufficient. One of them, who was Catholic, asked me if I was the pastor. When I said yes, we began talking [...]
The readings of this Sunday deal with the way people treat foreigners and strangers. We are always surrounded by foreigners, as they were at the time when the prophet Isaiah was writing. The question before him was whether foreigners should also share in God’s salvation. Isaiah gave a clear answer: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for [...]
Today’s readings remind us that the Kingdom of God is revealed not only in moments of great miracles but also in the quiet and ordinary moments of life. Although the first reading, the second reading, and the Gospel present different situations, they all teach us the same lesson: God is always present with his people, especially in times of fear, [...]
The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes is much more than a story about feeding a hungry crowd. While we cannot explain exactly how the miracle happened, we can understand what it meant for Matthew and for the early Church. This miracle recalls God's gift of the manna in the desert (Exodus 16). Just as Moses, through [...]
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Every human heart is searching for a treasure. Throughout history, people have searched for hidden riches in fields, mountains, and beneath the sea, hoping to discover gold, diamonds, or pearls. As someone who comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a land rich in gold, diamonds, and copper, I have seen many [...]