Wednesday 15 October 2025. Readings: Romans 2:1-11, Ps. 62:2-3,6-7,9, Luke 11:42-46
“Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.” (Luke 11:46)
There is a saying in Pidgin English: “na who dem catch nai be thief.” That is to say, “The thief is not often the one who steals but the one who was caught.” Surprisingly, many Christians operate by this philosophy: “All is well so long as I am not caught.”
Yesterday, we read about Jesus being invited to the house of one of the Pharisees, where he chose not to wash before eating. This caused a stir among the Pharisees, who were very quick to judge and condemn Jesus in their hearts, but Jesus used the occasion to teach them an important lesson. Why are you so concerned about the outside (what people see) while the inside is full of dirt?
Today, Jesus continues his exhortation to the Pharisees. Jesus spoke about how they prioritise tithing mint and rue over justice and God’s love, and how they seek the best seats in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces, yet their hearts are like unmarked graves. Even a lawyer who tried to prove his innocence while Jesus was speaking was not spared. This implies that no one is exempt from this false show of religiosity.
At the heart of our readings is a deep call to an examination of conscience. Am I guilty of the evils which I point out in others? Do I laugh at people in public for committing the sins which I do in secret? Am I more concerned about maintaining a good public image than maintaining a strong relationship with God?
Today, we remember St. Theresa of Avila. St. Teresa of Avila, born in 1515 in Avila, Spain, is a celebrated Catholic saint. Raised by a devout father and a mother who loved stories, Teresa balanced a strict upbringing with a fascination for tales from a young age. Her rebellious nature as a teenager led her father to place her in a convent. Though she was initially reluctant, Teresa eventually embraced religious life, finding comfort in her devotion to God.
At 41, a renewed spiritual awakening inspired Teresa to intensify her prayer life and start reforming the Carmelite order. Despite facing resistance from both inside and outside the Church, she founded St. Joseph’s Convent, promoting a life of simplicity, poverty, and dedicated prayer. Her writings, including her autobiography, provide honest and deep insights into her spiritual path and prayer, greatly enriching Catholic theology.
St. Teresa’s legacy continued after her death on 4 October 1582, at age 67. She established multiple convents despite facing obstacles, and her teachings on prayerful action and love for God remained influential. As the founder of the Discalced Carmelites and the patron saint of headache sufferers, her symbols—the heart, arrow, and book—represent her passionate faith and lasting impact on Christian mysticism. She was canonised in 1622, leaving a profound mark on the Catholic Church.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach us to judge ourselves constantly instead of others. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Teresa of Ávila, Virgin, Doctor. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Romans 2:1-11, Ps. 62:2-3,6-7,9, Luke 11:42-46)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu