The Right Attitude ~ Reflection on the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ by Phyllis Booth

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ez 18:25-28
Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
Phil 2:1-11
Mt 21:28-32

The Gospel story today illustrates a choice we face every day in our dealings with family, friends or co-workers. We are asked or commanded to do a task or favor. Our response can be either of the choices given by the sons in Matthew 18:28-32.

The first son refused to work in the vineyard as soon as he was told to go. The second son readily said, "yes, I'll go"; but he didn't.

Let's take a moment and examine several possible reasons each son reacted the way they did. The first son may have had a prior engagement, might have been on his phone texting or talking, felt ill, tired, or that the vineyard wasn't the work he wanted in life. The second son gave the answer he thought his father wanted to hear. He had money to spend, a smart phone, an Ipad, a car and felt the hired hands or his brother could take care of the vineyard.

Why did the father ask his sons to go into the vineyard to work? Had the father trained his sons to help with the work? Was he testing the sons to see who deserved the property or could take over running the business? We don't know. The story line doesn't speak to this issue.

Although the father's reason isn't clear, what are the sons doing when they act in this manner? They are straining the relationship with the family members. These actions cause hard feelings, heartaches, distrust and loss of faith in the person.

The first son redeemed himself by changing his mind and going into the vineyard. The second son may have apologized for his actions. We don't know.

When we act this way, we need to mend our relationships by seeking forgiveness, going to Confession, seeking God's grace through prayer or making a novena, remembering we are our brother's / sister's keeper so we can receive the grace Ezekiel related to the Israelites: "by turning from wickedness a wicked person shall preserve his life." (Ez 18:25-28)


~ Image: "Two Sons, Davis Collection"

Our generous God ~ A Reflection ~ 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 55:6-9
Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18(18a)
Phil 1:20c-24, 27a
Mt 20:1-16a

Our God is a generous God. We see it plainly in the parable of the landowner who hires laborers for his vineyard. In Matthew's Gospel, we learn that the landowner is not satisfied with hiring only during the morning hours. He goes out several times during the day and into the evening, inviting every idle worker he finds, to come to work for him. To each he promises the same wage, despite the later complaints of unfairness by those who have worked the longest and who feel they should receive more.

Our God is like this generous landowner. He offers everyone a place in his Kingdom. All we need do is to leave sin behind and follow in the footsteps of his Son, Jesus. It doesn't matter whether we accept his invitation early in our lives, or late... our reward will be the same. Eternal Life.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, speaks of his yearning to be united with his Lord... to receive the reward for his faithfulness. However he realizes that in spite of his desire, the Lord still has work for him to do here in this earthly vineyard. Paul's faithfulness is a sign of his total commitment to the Lord and thus he is willing to continue to work among the people he is evangelizing. This is the same commitment the Lord asks of us.

Isaiah reminds us to "Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near..." We are to forsake sin and to "turn to the Lord for mercy." (55:6ff) The Lord is always there to receive us, to forgive us and to give us the strength to carry on.

The psalmist understood and believed so deeply in God's mercy and love that his words echo down to us today:

"Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever." (Ps 145:2-3)


~ Image from Cacina

Seventy-Seven Times! ~ A Reflection on the Readings of the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sir 27:30-28:7
Ps 103:1-4, 9-12 (8)
Rom 14:7-9
Mt 18:21-35

None of us live for ourselves alone. This is what Paul wrote to the Romans so many years ago. These words speak to us also, especially in light of Matthew's gospel in which Jesus responds when Peter asks the question, how often do I have to forgive. Jesus does not hesitate in saying, EVERY TIME!

Jesus illustrates his response with a parable about a man who owes so much money to his master that he is unable to pay it back. The master orders the servant and his family to be sold to pay the debt. However the servant pleads for patience and promises to pay the debt in full. The master is moved with compassion and forgives the entire debt.

But the story is not yet finished; for soon afterwards this man runs into a fellow servant who happens to owe him a smaller amount. The man insists on immediate payment. When his fellow servant is not able to pay the debt immediately, the unforgiving servant refuses to accept a promise for payment and has the servant put into prison.

What has happened here? The master has shown compassion but the wicked servant has learned nothing from the master's example of mercy and forgiveness. When the master learns of the situation, he summons the wicked servant: "Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?" (Mt 18:33) And he sent him off to the torturers until he should pay back all that the servant owed him.

There is a lesson here. If we expect God to forgive us, we must forgive others. The prophet Sirach reminds us of the same thing: "Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven." (Sir 28:2) Thus the answer to Peter's question of how often we must forgive, is:
EVERY TIME! AGAIN AND AGAIN! WHATEVER IT TAKES!


~ Image found here

No Time for Indifference ~ Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ez 33:7-9
Ps 95:1-2, 6-9 (8)
Rom 13:8-10
Mt 18:15-20

In Matthew's Gospel this week, we listen to Jesus teaching his disciples how to reconcile with each other and with the community. In order to settle conflicts, Jesus shows us how to resolve them in such a way that there is a concern for everyone involved. The correction is done out of love.

An important aspect needed in reconciling problems is communication. Whether within families or the wider community, one needs to be able to address the issues in such a manner that unity and harmony are preserved. Love and respect for the other is the key.

In the first reading, Ezekiel reminds us that we are responsible for each other. We cannot remain indifferent to the evil done by others. We are to speak out against sin and injustice or we too will be judged guilty.

The Lord called Ezekiel the "watchman for the house of Israel." (Ez 33:7) Just as Ezekiel was to confront the evil he encountered and to warn the person or people involved, so we also are called to assume responsibility to combat the evil that happens around us.

Paul summed it up perfectly in his letter to the Romans. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law." (Rom 8:10)



~ "Reconciliation" scupture by Margaret Adams Parker

St. E's Food and Jazz Festival, August 6, 2011 ~ Photos by Ethel Cooley

~ These great photos were taken by Ethel Cooley at the Food and Jazz Festival, August 6, 2011

Take up your Cross ~ a Reflection on the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jer 20:7-9
Ps 63:2-6, 8-9
Rom 12:1-2
Mt 16:21-27

It was just last week that we heard how Peter recognized Jesus for who He is: the Christ, the Son of the Living God. But in the Gospel reading today, Matthew describes how Peter becomes a stumbling block for Jesus.

Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for his coming arrest; and the suffering and death he will have to endure at the hands of the chief priests who are plotting against him. Peter, who had just confessed his belief in Jesus as the Son of God, cannot believe what he is hearing. No, it can't be true! This cannot happen to God's Son!

But Jesus admonishes Peter: "Get behind me, Satan... You are an obstacle to me!" (Mt 16:23)

You can imagine how Peter felt. Perhaps he still believed that Jesus would reign over an earthly kingdom. How could Jesus be subjected to suffering and death and still be the Son of God?

Jesus then explained to his disciples and to us today what it means to be his follower, to be a Christian. We must deny ourselves and take up our own cross for his sake. To live according to his Word. We must expect to be persecuted and to suffer and perhaps, even to die for our faith.

Are we even willing to make such a sacrifice? Jeremiah faced a similar crisis of faith long ago when he decided he could no longer speak the Lord's Word to the people:

"I say to myself, I will not mention him,
I will speak in his name no more.
But then it becomes like fire
burning in my heart...
I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it." (Jer 20:9)

Even though he was being mocked by the people, Jeremiah realizes that God's Word cannot be restrained and thus he must speak.

Paul also recognized what needed to be done as he taught the Christians of Rome,

"... offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God..." (Rom 12:1)

We are not to conform ourselves to the world but to renew ourselves so that we can desire only to do God's Will.

Doing the Will of God is how we become holy and pleasing to Him. The psalmist understood our yearning for the presence of God in our lives as he prayed:

"...you are my God whom I seek;
For you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts...

...your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you." (Ps 63:2, 4)


~ Image from Today's Worship

September Birthdays at St. E's ~ provided by Ethel Cooley

Happy Birthday, Everyone!






09/01 ~ Karin Timmons

09/02 ~ Gloria Johnson

09/04 ~ Thelma Neal

09/05 ~ Stanley Glover, III

09/06 ~ George Strother

09/08 ~ Shelton Jones

09/09 ~ Terrence Holland Smith

09/10 ~ Erica Miller

09/11 ~ Arteria Moore

09/18 ~ Veronica Archer, Isaiah Goodwin, Michael Moore

09/21 ~ Duane Brannon, Jr.

09/23 ~ Maria Barrow

09/24 ~ Maria Strother


~ Image by Webweaver.nu