October 02, 2011
27th Sunday Ordinary Time
Jesus is a storyteller. Undoubtedly, he is creative in composing stories but Jesus also has sources. He is an observant Jew -- Son of God and Son of Man. As an "observant" Jew he keenly observes his fellow man and woman. People are always the best resource for stories. As an observant Jew, Jesus knows the stories of the People of God. As a boy, Joseph, husband of Mary, takes Jesus, his adopted son, to the synagogue to listen to and reflect upon the Torah, Prophets and Wisdom of Israel -- Hebrew Scriptures. With Joseph and Mary, Jesus hears and sings the Song of Isaiah (1st Reading). It is a story about a vineyard. In our Gospel, Jesus retells the story and directs to the priests and elders. The vineyard is Israel. The tenant vine dressers are the religious leaders who are opposing Jesus and are not faithful stewards of the faith tradition they have received. When Matthew, the evangelist, eventually includes this parable in his Gospel (fifty years later) he hears the story challenging religious leadership in his Jewish Christian community. Every generation of listeners can hear the parables of Jesus and apply the stories to themselves. As a pastor and religious leader I am conscious of the responsibility entrusted to me. This weekend, when I find some quiet time, I intend to read letters from 40+ candidates who are requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is a joyful obligation to read each letter. If teens/young adults take time to write, I have time to read. Also today on Niagara Falls Boulevard I will be "Standing for Life" with some of our parishioners. It will be a quiet, peaceful witness to the sanctity of life. Standing within our Catholic Christian tradition we oppose abortion. It destroys human life in the womb and harms women, men, families and society. But we are also giving a positive witness to the value of human life, to our support of women in difficult circumstances and to healing and forgiveness in Christ. We espouse and live the Gospel of Life and Mercy.
Previous:
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
