Luke 15:1-10

XXXI Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday

Philippians 3:3-8. Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7. Luke 15:1-10

Have you ever experienced the Moment of feeling lost? you lost your passport or mobile phone; you lost yourself in the new place, and you are alone wandering. You experience hopelessness, insecurity and grief. But the Lord says this is the moment of growth. Sometimes, Being lost is the best way to find yourself! 

1. God’s unfailing love for the lost: In the Dictionary of the Bible, Losing means gaining. Paul says in his past, he lost everything, but now he found one thing, he gained the love of Christ. You have found the Lord who is too willing to lose 99 and take you the one who is lost. Jesus is identifying himself with the lost sheep, That “one” might be Christ or even our truest selves. In seeking, we lose ourselves—and in losing, we find ourselves.

2. The Joy of repentance and return: Luke’s Gospel is also called the gospel of Joy. The theme of joy runs throughout the GOpsel. Like the shepherd and the woman rejoicing over finding what was lost, heaven celebrates each person who returns to God, reminding us of the immense value of repentance. God rejoices when we find the purpose of our lives. we need to cultivate this joy of welcoming every sinner to paradise. 

3. Joy through spiritual suffering in order to know Christ’s suffering: This joy does not lie in making merry but through spiritual suffering. The Letter to the Philippians is known as "the letter of joy" because it is a message of rejoicing in Christ and spiritual joy: when this letter was written, Paul was imprisoned in Rome around 62. He is imprisoned but his letter is full of encouragement and hope for the future to those who are concerned in suffering. because his soul is completely free. 

Letting go of worldly gains and titles: Paul considers his past accomplishments ‘loss’ compared to knowing Christ, challenging us to re-evaluate what we hold valuable and pursue what draws us closer to GodThe supreme worth of knowing Christ: Knowing Christ surpasses all else; Paul’s example invites us to find our ultimate joy and purpose in a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.

Woe Sayings

A prophet’s frustrations

Jesus’ meal-scolding ends in today’s gospel reading. The host (a Pharisee) might have regretted having called Jesus for the dinner. Jesus used strong confrontations called ‘woe sayings’ in his preaching. Jesus has really ‘spoilt’ their dinner mood. 

How do we understand Jesus’ woes? How can we interpret these types of hard sayings from the Son of God? 

1. We should understand the context of the situation in which the evangelist wrote this gospel. In Early Christianity the Christians needed a fight to establish its identity amidst the institutionalised Jewish religion. The early Christians must have rubbed shoulders with the Pharisees, the Scribes, and the Teachers of the Law. This tension reflects in the woe-formulae.

The two woe texts in today’s gospel reading are addressed to two different groups: one, in general, and two, in particular, to the Teachers of the Law. The evangelist also writes in the end the reaction of the groups.

2. We can understand these woes as the prophet’s frustrations. A prophet, when his message is not received, vents out his feelings in the form of curses or woes. Jesus knew very well what awaited other prophets as well. He is heading towards the wall to hit it when he utters these curses. In other words, Jesus in a way kindles the anger of his enemies.

3. Expression of Jesus’ prophetic role. A prophet’s role is not only to announce but also to denounce. Jesus denounces the existing structures of his time. However, he knew that his message was not welcomed.

4. It is A call for repentance. By using harsh words, Jesus invites his audience to repent, to convert, or to change their ways of life.

5. A lesson for his disciples. Jesus indirectly exhorts his disciples not to imitate the Pharisees, the Scribes, and the Teachers of the Law.

What’s the lesson for us?

When we assume a prophetic role, we too may face frustrations. And we also learn that a prophet’s frustration invites us to change our course of life.

Our Lady of Rosary

Have you seen any rosary beads without the cross? It would be strange to wear the rosary without the cross. We start the Holy Rosary with the cross and conclude with the cross. 

They tell the whole history of salvation is located between the images of two trees; the tree of knowledge that is found in the book of Genesis. The cross is made up of a wooden tree. 

The reason why Jesus died on a cross or a tree is that, in the very beginning, man stole from the tree, God put back on the tree for you and me to undo everything that was done in the beginning.

His hands are pierced because our hands stole from the tree.

Right his side is pierced because Eve came from the side, so he is making atonement for Eve one who led into temptation.     

Beautiful the role of the Mother beneath the cross, By her Yes and surrender, Jesus can accomplish salvation.  This moment of surrender is one of the mysteries we meditate on in the Rosary. 

Every time we recite the Rosary, we pray for the whole of humanity including the Church. The Rosary too brings us into this communal spirit of prayer, linking us with the Church around the world and throughout history. It reminds us that we are never alone in our prayers. Mary’s example teaches us that prayer is not just about speaking to God but about listening, discerning, and surrendering to His will.

Our Lady of Rosary (2024):

1. The rosary is a powerful prayer: 

it has been called the preparation for contemplation and the prayer of saints. While the hands and lips are occupied with the prayers (it can and should be prayed silently when necessary so as not to disturb others), the mind meditates on the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption represented by the decades. Not only movement of lips, manalangin mo kami makasalanan, mga intention of the holy rosary, Pope requests you to pray, intentions of Santo padre, “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world” (Our Lady of Fátima). “Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been so favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary” (Pope Pius IX). Miraculous rosary, Lourdes, Family rosary is an important, “How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening” (Pope John Paul II).

2. Rosary is a powerful weapon to fight against evil: 

Fight against satan, many call exorcists, exorcists prefer to carry rosary and crucifix, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) and many other saints and popes have called it “a glorious weapon against Satan.” So, when we pray the rosary we join our will with her will and with the will of millions of others who also pray the rosary. A  kind of spiritual chain is established, involving millions of Catholics all joined together in prayer, linking our wills with the will of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all of us saying to God, “Thy Will be Done.”

This corporate act of the will establishes a powerful presence in the world and acts as a spiritual buffer and antidote to the poison of evil.

3. The Rosary is an instrument to reach heaven:

It can save you from going to Hell. After death, we can either go to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. But Hell, sadly, is the most tragic truth of suffering souls. Mary promises that if you pray the Rosary, she will help you become pure and holy so that you go to heaven.

A priest whom I know met with an accident, before going to ICU, wanted to carry the rosary, some keep it near the pillow, some dead bodies have the rosary in their hand, 

Historical Event: 

For the people of that time, there was absolutely no doubt that the victory at Lepanto had been the direct result of the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and her rosary. Saint Pope Pius V was so convinced that Our Lady's intercession had brought victory. He wished that the victory should be liturgically celebrated wonderfully throughout the catholic word every year. 

In March of 1572, Pope Pius V instituted the annual feast of our Lady of Victory, directing that it be celebrated every year on October 7, remembering the Battle of Lepanto. He didn't' stop there, though. In a document titled Salvatoris Domini, he granted a plenary indulgence to all those who, in addition to the feast of Mary. This annual commemoration became known as "Rosary Sunday". Religious communities tended to refer to it as the Toties Quoties, which literally means "as often as", deriving from the number of plenary indulgences that could be gained on that day "as often as" a person fulfilled the conditions. However, the most common title used for the indulgence was to call it the "Great Pardon of the Rosary". For centuries, this indulgence was one of the most ample indulgences ever offered by the Church. 

Initially, the Plenary indulgence for Rosary Sunday was only granted to members of the Confraternity of the Rosary, but it was later extended to all the faithful. The indulgence was praised and confirmed by many subsequent popes in official documents, including Pope Innocent XI in Nuper pro parte. 

The condition for gaining the indulgence consisted of the following: A catholic had to visit a Dominican church with a rosary altar anytime from 2 p.m. on the Saturday preceding the feast until sundown on Rosary Sunday; pray for the intentions of the Holy Father during each visit; and go to confession and receive Holy Communion. 

Thanks to Donald H. Calloway

Wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1-12)

  Mary was invoked by our loving founder as Mother of Divine Providence, because he recognized in this image the tenderness of the provident Father and measureless love of a mother. This Guanellian Spirituality is well established in today’s Gospel of John. There is only place in the Gospel, an effective interaction between Jesus and his mother. Usually the Old Testament scripture was known for the father-son relationship. Here the relationship between the Mother and Son is explained vividly in few lines. I would like to show 3 aspects of Guanellian spirituality. 

1. Mother presenting a son: The first words of Mary according to John, v.3 When the wine was gone, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no more wine” (Οἶνον οὐκ ἔχουσιν). There is a Johannine touch in the text. She did not say, “There is no wine”. The presence of negative adverb, ouk – no more, the Jews had no more wine, as if they knew nothing about wine, manifest them the real wine. Here no article, after the miracle, there is an article (steward of the feast tasted the wine), the wine. 

  The narration is very implicit, six stone jars for the Jewish rites of purification, the strange mention of number six for John. There should be seven jars, of course, incomplete. (7 signs, 7 women, 7 Jewish feasts, 7 disciples speak). Seventh jar was Jesus himself produced the wine.  

  A widowed mother presents her son as a Messiah, a new wine to the world. Mother of Divine Providence expresses the providence of the Father, presents the newness of the Son. Jesus is the best expression of Providence. The centre of the Guanellian message is God’s Providence, offered and presented by a Mother. 

  Whoever venerates this mother divine providence should have the same spirit of prayer, “Providence was always with me. I was never afraid of debts or fearful for my life; Providence is our defense; thus, nothing should scare us. Even at present, in the midst of painful events, I am not afraid: Providence watches over us. Providence will be our friend if we put our love and trust in Her. (L. Guanella, La Divina Provvidenza, 1915, p. 85). 

  This “continuous” benevolence of the Father is Providence, the gift of a mother, saying, “God sees me. God provides for His children.” This abandonment in God the Father was for Fr. Guanella his experience of Providence.

2. Jesus presenting Mary: any Jewish woman has to undergo 3 different stages which Mary also underwent here. Mary as a woman, a virgin and finally mother. 

  Scipione from Gaeta who pictured this image in 16th century told about his painting, “one could feel in the picture, a moment of maternal ecstasy: one of those ecstasies that every woman experience when they bear a child. He has drawn not only a woman, but more than a woman, the virgin Mother God.” Look at the eye sight of Mary, dress (copioso manto), veil, gesture of her hand; the way carries a child like a Mediterranean woman of that time. 

  Jesus addressed Mary, woman, in greek, gune, in the vocative case, gunai. Twice he called Mary like that in John. At the cross, woman, behold your son. It is hardly being disrespectful or rude. We should not embarrass the way Jesus calls Mary woman, no mothers were called by the proper or common name. (Jesus called no other woman, woman). By calling woman, Jesus honors Mary. 

  Jesus presents the Jewish woman, invites for the new relationship in the culture, society. Mary becomes a new Eve of the humanity; The first Eve was also called "woman" (Gen. 2:22), became mother of the Church and God becomes an example of interculturality carrying together inculturation of faith and evangelization of culture. 

3. Mary presenting disciples: these were the last words of Mary do whatever he tells you.. The slogan of the 17th general chapter of St. Mary of Divine Providence. Fate quello che vi dira. Actually speaking mother Mary does not have the copy right for these words. There is an internal contact in the scripture. Gen 41:55. If u see the Septuagint translation, John has copied from Genesis. There were 7 years of terrible famine in Egypt, people had no bread, rice they were dying. The soldiers came to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. He indicated Joseph and told the same words of Mary, do whatever he says to you. 

  Words of King Pharaoh and Mary were the act of trust that undergoes any vocational discernment, revealing perfect, implicit and cheerful obedience. That wedding at Cana was the sign of a larger banquet: that of God with humanity, where the Mother of Jesus has its important role to play with her sensibility to the culture and society where we live. We should be able to invite everyone as family of God, and especially to make family with our poor. In April 1886, a small group of sisters left for Como with few poor, to open the House of Divine Providence in Via Tommaso Grossi. Dear Sisters, you should have the same heart with strong faith and trust of Guanella when carrying on our simple works of charity.  

  Concluding this, I believe that wedding at Cana may be suitable for our Guanellian family, in its application and in its symbolism, through which we express our spirituality and mission. In the name of Fr. Superior, all the Confreres, brothers, I wish you a happy feast we shall be accompanied by Mary, mother of divine providence.

Today’s context is more different than Cana and Como. Mary, the first believer, help us all to discern the path that Jesus points to inculturate and live today the Guanellian charism with that faith and charity that characterized the founder's life. (4th Provincial Chapter). Let us not do what Indians say, Italians say, phil.. Do whatever he says. She who tells us Jesus and her Word as a sure guide helps us to welcome new innovations of spirit with which to interpret and live our charism today with total availability of faith, charity, enthusiasm and fidelity.

Not only in the moments of Joys, but also in the moments of sorrow, we invoke the mother of Providence, “I believe that this illness of mine was sent by God’s Providence for extraordinary graces upon the House; extraordinary suffering, extraordinary graces… Because I intercede to the Lord on behalf of the Institute and you, I do not desist to send fiery words to God! ... God will take care of you. Nothing is necessary here on earth. Providence will help you! Death! Paradise! In your hands, O Lord! … Let you all follow me by carrying out this program of life: Prayer and Suffering!”

(L. Guanella, La Divina Provvidenza, October 1915, p. 150)

Homily 2: on 12 Nov 2019

Everyone has a dream wedding. Marriage is an important milestone in the life of the common people. They wait for the day; whether it’s a simple civil wedding or an extravagant church wedding, you need one thing; Preparation. We are going to see a typical ancient traditional Filipino wedding, esp in the province during pre-colonial times. (used to take long days)  

1. Bridegroom: He is patrono of the wedding function. Traditionally the bridegroom’s family is responsible for the expenses, arrangement of the wedding. The grandparents act as the primary witnesses/ sponsors. The wedding dress is important for the marriage, they reveal the identity. (Remember a parable of the wedding feast, when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. (Mt 22:11) he had a reason because bridegroom’s family is responsible for the wedding dress of the participants). The parents of the bride are responsible for the traditional white gown of bride. Filipino barong (made of delicate pineapple fibers) is the suitable dress for marriage. 

During the wedding at Cana, the attention goes to the bridegroom, When the wine was gone, the mother of Jesus went to the bridegroom, “They have no more wine’. It should not be read, there is no wine. The presence of negative adverb, ouk – no more, the Jews had no more wine, as if they knew nothing about wine, manifest them the real wine. Here no article, after the miracle, there is an article (steward of the feast tasted the wine), the wine. 

Jesus is the real bridegroom of our Community, newness for this community, do not fast, enjoy with him and taste him. I remember another episode before the public ministry of Jesus, The disciples of the John the Baptist ask, why others fast, your disciples do not fast, How can the wedding guests fast, when there is bridegroom. Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. (Mk 2:19)

In the present time, there is a greater joy, urgent to contemplate, and taste the divine beauty. Will of God to make this marriage with this humanity, here that is why we cannot fast, we should not fast because it is the time of the wedding. Time to taste him and his gift of wine for the good of the marriage. Jesus is the best expression of Providence. 

2. Bride: The bride is an interesting figure in the wedding. She is not less to the bridegroom, she is the who follows the bridegroom, going to merge with him in his life. During the wedding, suspense is the arrival of the bride. The groom should always arrive before the bride; bride should come mamaya, otherwise it will be bad luck. She should be accompanied by the mother/father of the bridegroom. 

In the wedding at Cana, Mary presenting disciples and accompanies the disciples to the bridegroom: She says, Do whatever he tells you. There were six stood six stone water jars (Jewish tradition used for ceremonial washing), Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. The bride is following the bridegroom with trust and obedience. This act of mutual trust and obedience is not only necessary for the successful married life but also any vocational discernment, revealing perfect, implicit and cheerful obedience. 

A group of young consecrated women had founded a home in the village for the elderly and for abandoned children, with the support of the parish priest Fr. Carlo Coppini, who died earlier that year. The Providence showed them Fr. Guanella, priest of prejudice, “hot-head man!” But they trusted simply like the disciples believing the words of Mary. (included Clare and Marcellina Bosatta), Because of the trust, they shifted from Pianello to Como,  Dear Sisters, do not be afraid to trust with strong faith when carrying on our Guanella’s works of charity.  

3. Babaylan: The wedding was officiated by a babaylan, a tribal priest. The house of the babaylan was the ceremonial center for the nuptial. On the first day, the couple was brought to the priest's home, where the babaylan blessed them, while their hands are joined over a container of uncooked rice. On the third day, the priest would prick their chests to draw a small amount of blood, which will be placed in a container to be mixed with water. After announcing their love for each other three times, they were fed by the priest with cooked rice coming from a single container. Afterward, they were to drink the water that was mixed with their blood. The priest proclaimed that they were officially wed after their necks and hands were bound by a cord or, sometimes, once their long hairs had been entwined together. In lieu of the babaylan, the chief of the town may also officiate Filipino wedding. Priest is the bridge between bride and bridegroom. 

In Wedding at Cana, there is a presence of Babaylan, Mary, the figure of Mary is necessary for any disciple who wants to identify his Master, find and surrender to him. Mary decides the hour of mercy for Jesus and the disciples, she decides the whole miracle to be a sign within two words, V.3 and V. 5 are the, She tells Jesus, “There is no more wine”, turns to the disciples, say “Do whatever he tells you”. The bride and bridegroom need to keep a simple act of trust with the mother, who can perform the rite of unity.  

Mary was invoked by our loving founder as Mother of Divine Providence, because he recognized in this image the tenderness of the provident Father and measureless love of a mother. This Guanellian Spirituality is well established in today’s Gospel of John. There is only place in the Gospel, an effective interaction between Jesus and his mother. 

If you want to enjoy a faithful, lifelong relationship with Jesus, we need a mother, consoling, interceding and protecting. Whoever venerates this mother divine providence should have the same spirit of prayer, “Providence was always with me. I was never afraid of debts or fearful for my life; Providence is our defense; thus, nothing should scare us. Even at present, in the midst of painful events, I am not afraid: Providence watches over us. Providence will be our friend if we put our love and trust in Her. (L. Guanella, La Divina Provvidenza, 1915, p. 85). 

  This “continuous” benevolence of the Father is Providence, the gift of a mother, saying, “God sees me. God provides for His children.” This abandonment in God the Father was for Fr. Guanella his experience of Providence.

Concluding this, I believe that wedding at Cana may be suitable for our Guanellian family, in its application and in its symbolism, through which we express our spirituality and mission. In the name of Fr. Superior, all the Confreres, brothers, I wish you a happy feast we shall be accompanied by Mary, mother of divine providence.

Today’s context is more different than Cana and Como. Mary, the first believer, help us all to discern the path that Jesus points to inculturate and live today the Guanellian charism with that faith and charity that characterized the founder's life. Let us welcome new innovations of spirit with which to interpret and live our charism today with total availability of faith, charity, enthusiasm and fidelity.

Faith and humility go together! (Luke 7: 36-50)

 Faith is the ultimate virtue, 

The sinful woman in the Gospel and St. Paul in the first reading invites us to acquire a strong and unshakable faith through acts of humility. Faith and humility go together. Faith can never be expressed through pride. 

How a Sinful woman can possess this alabaster jar with fragrant ointment. A jar was often presented to a young woman by her parents as a gift to give her betrothed as a sign of commitment. It was also often used to anoint bodies for burial. It was designed to be broken open only once, with great intention. Probably lonely, she decided to use it as a precious gift, the pride of her family, which she applied with love and passion. 

How can we grand things? Greatness in faith comes through small acts of love and surrender, not through extraordinary achievements. Instead of performing grand things, we should focus on small acts of love, sacrifice and service. 

Paul was great in Corinth, but he says he is unfit to be called an Apostle, he feels guilt for what he did to the Church.   

Faith would bear fruit, only when we embrace humility. The Pride is like a thermite, it will make the essentials empty. 

Exalted vulnerability - Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, celebrated today, has deep historical and theological significance in the Christian tradition. It commemorates the discovery and veneration of the True Cross, upon which Jesus was crucified, as well as the broader theological meaning of the cross as the ultimate symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

A. Historical Background

(1) Discovery of the True Cross: In the early 4th century, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, embarked on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Around 326 AD, she is believed to have discovered the True Cross at the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, Golgotha. According to tradition, three crosses were found, and the one believed to be the True Cross was identified when a dying woman was healed after touching it.

(2) The Dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: After St. Helena’s discovery, Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of two basilicas on the site of the crucifixion and resurrection—one at Golgotha and the other at the site of Jesus’ tomb, now known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The dedication of these churches in 335 AD marked the first celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross.

(3) The Recovery of the Cross from the Persians: In 614 AD, the True Cross was captured by the Persian Empire during an invasion of Jerusalem. It remained in Persian hands until 628 AD when the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius recaptured it. Tradition holds that Heraclius personally carried the cross back to Jerusalem, where it was again exalted and venerated.

The whole history of salvation is located between the images of two trees; the tree of knowledge that is found in the book of Genesis. The cross is made up of a wooden tree. 

The reason why Jesus died on a cross or a tree is that, in the very beginning, man stole from the tree, God put back on the tree for you and me to undo everything that was done in the beginning.

His hands are pierced because our hands stole from the tree, 

his feet were pierced because the first messianic prophecy involves the feet

right his side is pierced because Eve came from the side, so he is making atonement for Eve one who led into temptation,     

crown of thorns on his head why?

the curse of creation is that "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return". the ground produces thorns and thistles, he is literally taking the curse on his head to reverse it and restore the blessing. 

C. Vulnerability on the cross

The paradox of the cross is that on it hangs our vulnerability.

(1) The cross is the symbol of vulnerability that provides healing: The first reading (Numbers 21:4-9) shows how the Israelites, bitten by serpents due to their lack of faith, are saved by looking at the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses. This foreshadows Christ’s own lifting up on the cross in John 3:13-17, where He is offered as a remedy for sin. Just as the Israelites found healing in something that seemed like a curse (a serpent), we find redemption through Christ’s crucifixion – a symbol of vulnerability and weakness. It is through this vulnerability that God’s love and mercy are exalted, as the very thing that looks like defeat becomes the instrument of salvation.

(2) The cross as the ultimate act of humility: In the alternative reading (Philippians 2:6-11), St. Paul tells us that Christ “emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave” and “became obedient to death, even death on a cross.” The cross reveals the vulnerability of God who chose to become one of us, suffer, and die for our sake. It is in this self-emptying love that Christ is exalted. His humility – descending into human frailty – becomes the path to glory, showing us that in our weakness, we too can share in His exaltation. True power is not in domination but in humble, sacrificial love.

(3) The cross as the path to new life: In the gospel reading, we hear the familiar words: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” The cross is the ultimate expression of this love – a vulnerable gift that brings eternal life to all who believe. The exaltation of the cross reminds us that vulnerability and suffering, when embraced with faith, lead to resurrection and new life. We are called to embrace our own crosses, trusting that God transforms our suffering and weakness into opportunities for grace and redemption.

The cross stands as a paradox of strength in vulnerability, victory in suffering, and life in death. It is a reminder that God’s greatest power is revealed in what the world sees as weakness. Through the exaltation of the cross, we are invited to follow this path of humble love, trusting that we too will be lifted up in Christ.

Trusting in God’s Guidance

Saint Teresa of Kolkata, Memorial

1 Corinthians 3:18-23. Luke 5:1-11

We all have our limited experiences – experiences of hitting the wall, reaching the dead end, and touching the bottom of the well. In such circumstances, we are called to look up to God and trust God’s guidance. Today’s readings offer us profound lessons on the importance of trusting God’s guidance over our understanding. They remind us that true wisdom and fulfilment come from following God’s direction, even when it challenges our human reasoning.

1. The Wisdom of God vs. The Wisdom of the World

In the first reading (1 Corinthians 3:18-23), St. Paul warns us not to be deceived by the wisdom of this world. He challenges the Corinthians – and us – to become “fools” in the eyes of the world so that we may be truly wise in God’s eyes. The world often values intelligence, status, and self-reliance, but Paul reminds us that these can be stumbling blocks if they lead us away from trusting in God.

Trusting in God’s guidance means recognizing that His wisdom surpasses our own. It requires humility, acknowledging that our human understanding is limited and that God’s ways are higher than ours. By surrendering our pride and relying on God’s wisdom, we open ourselves to His divine plan, which ultimately leads to true wisdom and life.

2. Obedience Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

The gospel reading (Luke 5:1-11) illustrates the power of trusting in God’s guidance through the story of Peter and the miraculous catch of fish. After a night of fruitless fishing, Peter is tired and skeptical when Jesus tells him to lower the nets again. Yet, despite his doubts, Peter obeys Jesus’ command and is rewarded with an overwhelming catch.

This passage teaches us that trust in God often requires us to act in faith, even when His instructions seem illogical or contrary to our own experiences. Peter might have thought how come a carpenter order a fisherman! Peter’s obedience, despite his initial hesitation, demonstrates the blessing that comes from trusting in Jesus’ word. We are reminded that God sees beyond our circumstances and knows what is best for us. Our role is to trust and obey, even when it’s difficult or doesn’t make sense.

3. God’s Guidance Leads to Abundance and Mission

Finally, both readings show us that trusting in God’s guidance leads to abundance and a deeper sense of mission. In Luke 5:10, after witnessing the miracle, Peter is called by Jesus to become a “fisher of men.” Peter’s willingness to trust Jesus not only results in a miraculous catch of fish but also in a new calling that will change his life forever.

Similarly, when we trust in God’s guidance, we experience His blessings in ways we might not have imagined. But more than that, we are often called to participate in His work in the world. Trusting in God opens us to His purpose for our lives, leading us to serve Him and others in ways that bring true fulfilment and joy.

Reflection on Mother Teresa

As we consider the theme of trusting in God’s guidance, we can look to the example of St. Teresa of Kolkata, known affectionately as Mother Teresa, whose memory we recall today. Her life was a witness to radical trust in God’s will, even in the face of doubt, hardship, and inner darkness. Despite the challenges she faced, Mother Teresa continued to follow God’s guidance in serving the poorest of the poor, believing that each act of love and service was a response to God’s call. Her legacy teaches us that trusting in God’s guidance often leads us to a life of profound impact, even in the most humble and hidden ways.