In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the striking parable of the rich man and Lazarus—a story that pierces through the illusions of comfort and security that wealth can bring. It is not merely a story about riches and poverty, but about the human heart’s capacity—or incapacity—to love.
The community of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, was filled with joy and thanksgiving on 24 September 2025, as the faithful witnessed the Ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters of Rev. Fr. Agustin Macabinta Indangan, Jr., SCJ. The sacred rite was conferred by His Grace, Most Rev. Ronald Anthony P. Timoner, STL, D.D., Bishop of Pagadian, in the presence of family, friends, priests, religious, and parishioners who gathered to celebrate this moment of grace.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a surprising parable about a dishonest steward who, when caught wasting his master’s goods, cleverly arranges to secure his future. He reduces the debts of his master’s debtors so that they might welcome him later. Surprisingly, the master praises him—not for his dishonesty—but for his prudence.
Every year on September 14, the Church invites us to celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—a feast that may sound paradoxical at first. How can we exalt a symbol of suffering, pain, and death? Yet for us Christians, the Cross is not a sign of shame, but the greatest sign of God’s love.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to the large crowds following Him, but His words are not what they expect to hear. Instead of promising comfort or reward, He speaks about the cost of being His disciple:
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)
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