Editorial Disclaimer: This spiritual reflection, homily digest, and pastoral commentary summarizes the message delivered by Rev. Fr. Marvin G. Riquez, Shrine Rector and Parish Priest of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Urduja, Caloocan, for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Season of Creation. It examines the gospel warning against serving two masters, contrasting the anxieties of material wealth with the enduring peace found in serving God.
In a culture that constantly equates success with accumulated assets and financial status, the Gospel delivers a sharp, unavoidable question: Where is your heart truly anchored—in wealth, or in God?
During his homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Season of Creation at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Urduja, Rev. Fr. Marvin G. Riquez cut through the noise of modern ambition.
Drawing from candid personal stories, seminary memories, and tragic pastoral realities, Fr. Marvin illustrated what happens when material wealth shifts from being an earthly tool into an all-consuming false god.
1. Quick Summary Dashboard: Key Themes of the Homily
| Core Theme | Practical Illustration / Story Shared | Spiritual Truth & Key Takeaway |
| The Burden of Accumulation | Seminary reunion at Starbucks: Priest friends vs. wealthy businessman classmates who leave early fearing burglary. | Material possessions often breed constant worry and sleeplessness rather than genuine peace. |
| The Peril of Serving Wealth | A businesswoman in her late 40s/early 50s ambushed and murdered solely for her daily business earnings. | Money itself is not evil, but placing it above all else can literally cost human life and peace of mind. |
| The Illusion of Earthly Security | The wealthy must surround themselves with bodyguards, while ordinary individuals walk freely without fear. | Earthly riches pass away and remain fragile; only God provides permanent security and lasting companionship. |
| The Mandate: “Stick to One” | Christ’s uncompromising command: “You cannot serve both God and mammon (money) at the same time.” | A divided heart collapses. God must be our ultimate treasure, not an afterthought behind our careers. |
2. Malalimang Pagsusuri: Four Core Reflections from the Pulpit (Deep Dive)
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1. Wealth Is Not Evil—Until It Becomes Your God:
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Fr. Marvin directly addressed a common misconception: Is having money or wanting to become wealthy bad? The answer is a clear no. Hard-earned wealth and successful business are not inherently sinful.
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The poison enters when money displaces the Creator—when wealth becomes the “god” of a person’s life, dictating their moral compromises, consuming all their time, and crowding out prayer, worship, and family charity.
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2. The Irony of Wealth and Peace of Mind:
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Recalling his seminary batch, Fr. Marvin noted that out of 12 who entered, only 4 were ordained, while the other 8 became successful lawyers and entrepreneurs.
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Yet during their coffee catch-ups, it is always the wealthy businessmen who check their watches and rush home early because “walang tao at walang bantay sa bahay—baka manakawan.” Meanwhile, the priests can sit comfortably until morning without anxiety. The more material treasures we hoard, the more fear we manufacture about losing them.
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3. Money Can Cost You What Matters Most:
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In a sobering pastoral memory, Fr. Marvin recalled celebrating a funeral mass for a young businesswoman in her late 40s or early 50s who was ambushed and killed driving home alone, targeted simply for her store’s cash earnings of the day.
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When society elevates money above human dignity, greed breeds violence. Material riches can be stripped away in a single second, proving that placing ultimate trust in temporal currency is a dangerous gamble.
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4. “Stick to One”: Choosing the Unfailing Treasure:
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Quoting Scripture, Fr. Marvin highlighted Christ’s rule of fidelity: “Stick to one lang… hindi puwedeng dalawa.” You cannot divide your primary allegiance between God and mammon.
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If your heart is glued to money, that is where your treasure and joy will live—and where your anxieties will drown you. But when God is treated as the true, non-negotiable treasure of your life, material wealth becomes what it was always intended to be: a temporary resource to be managed with detachment, gratitude, and stewardship.
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3. Tatlong Pagninilay sa Pagsusuri ng Ating Puso
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Audit Your Primary Devotion: Take an honest look at your weekly calendar. Do work deadlines, financial pursuits, and side hustles get your best energy while God receives only leftover minutes?
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True Freedom Lives in Detachment: The less your happiness depends on material luxury, the lighter your daily steps become. A simple, honest life walking with God brings far deeper sleep than a mansion built on anxiety.
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Remember What Outlasts the Grave: Material possessions, bank accounts, and properties will all pass away. The only things that carry over into eternity are the love we shared, the lives we lifted, and our faithfulness before the Lord.
As we journey through this Season of Creation, may we have the clarity to unclench our hands, loosen our grip on earthly riches, and place our entire trust in the One who provides all things.
Did Fr. Marvin’s reflection on the anxiety of wealth resonate with your daily grind? How do you maintain spiritual boundaries so work and finances don’t overshadow your relationship with God? Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below!