August 22, 2012 – Exequiel 34:1-11 / Matthew 20-1:16

Ezequiel 34:1-11 – Israel’s False Shepherds

Thus says the Lord God, “I am against the shepherds; and I will demand my sheep at their hand, and put a stop to their feeding the sheep; no longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, so that they may not be food for them.

Matthew 20-1:16 – The Labourers in the Vineyard

For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market place; and said to them “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same, and about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them you also go into the vineyard. When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his anger, “Call the laborers, and give them their pay, beginning the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual day wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go: I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” 

Father Michael Coutts said his reflection about the book of Ezequiel contained bizarre or weird stories but God intervened and cared for the shepherds of Israel. God spoke to them “You will be my people. I will be your God. I myself will shepherd you.” His message is “The Lord will protect us from enemies.”

The gospel of Matthew cited about the problems in employment like unfair wages, unions, unfair labor treatment, etc. Father Michael said we cannot look at the generosity of the world but let us put everything to God.

Queenship of Mary

Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Angels, Queen of Apostles, and Saints, and Queen of Peace. Let us pray “O Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.”

August 21, 2012 – Matthew 19:23-30 - The Rich Young Man

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “And then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

The Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit not twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses of brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Father Damian McPherson mentioned that the gospel spoke about rich people with material possessions. He explained that the eye of the needle pertains to the gate around Jerusalem while the camel refers to the baggage or belongings, which one carries. This means that many of us have excess baggage or suffer a “sickness of materialism” which we need to get rid of in order to draw near to Christ. Let us overcome temptation to continue to live our religious commitment. Let us not allow ourselves to be distracted by the material world by creating our own “value system.”  

August 20, 2012 – Matthew 19:16-22 – The Rich Young Man

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why you ask me about what is good. There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandment.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, I have kept all these, what do I still lack.” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving for he had many possessions.

Father Nino Cavoto said that the gospel is about the encounter of Jesus with the good rich man who is looking for more and is conscious with his relationship with God. Jesus replied “if anyone wishes to be whole, give to the poor, sell your possessions, come and follow me.” But the young man has to walk away sad from Jesus. In reality, we do not know our future and we change our circumstances. For some, there is a radical response to Christ’s  ideal way and find it  too much to follow Him. But with the grace of His love and our faith, we respond to Jesus in a positive way.

August 18, 2012 Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32 – Individual Retribution / Matthew 19:13-15 – Jesus Blesses Little Children

Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32 – Individual Retribution

The word of the Lord came to me, “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel. “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?” As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine; it is only the person who sins that shall die. 

If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right – if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; does not defile  his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period; do not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge; commits no robbery; give his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not take advance or accrued interest; withholds his hand from iniquity; executes true justice between contending parties; follows my statues, and is careful to observe my ordinances, acting faithfully-such a one is righteous; he shall surely live, says the Lord God.

Therefore, I will judge you, o house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, say the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast always from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Matthew 19:13-15 – Jesus Blesses Little Children

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

The homily is about Jesus'  love for the little children. Jesus expects us to provide the best for our children to grow. God provides the covenant of marriage in which children can develop values. Jesus teaches us to be like little children. In the first reading, Jesus’ message  is to opt for the spiritual and live below our means as He wants us to imitate him and live faithfully. We need God continuously so let us extend our hearts to those who needs help.

August 17, 2012 – Matthew 19:3-12 – Teaching about Divorce

Some Pharisees came to him, and met him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning, made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” Therefore, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined, let no one separate. They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but at the beginning, it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marry commits adultery.

Father Nino Cavoto said that the gospel passage has association with the teaching of Christ about the sacrament of marriage, which is the union of husband and wife. The sacrament is essential to the structure and sanctity of marriage. The Lord advised  husbands and wives not to be alone but to provide help to your mate or partner. It is not good for us to be alone. Loneliness is not part of the plan, which God intended to those He loves. Hardness of the heart keeps us to be lonely and if it persists, creates problems in our world such as the outcasts who were suffering loneliness of life experiences. Also, God did not intend us to be alone for loneliness is not part of God’s design which prevents the flow of peace and harmony. We have our heart to give to our family by loving them and become more humanitarian to others. Let us understand the meaning of Eucharist which is to give life as bread to the family of Christ.