The Vineyard Laborer

A Tale of Mercy and Kindness Lk 15: 1 – 3, 11 – 32 Fourth Sunday of Lent Introduction Today’s reading is about the Prodigal Son. This story must be one of the most well known and beloved stories in the gospel of Luke. While this story may be about the son who squandered his fortunes, it speaks more deeply about the father who had nothing but love and compassion towards his lost son. The Gospel             Our reading today is about the prodigal Son. This popular story is told by Jesus as a kind of a reply for the criticism hurled against him regarding his association with tax collectors and sinners who were drawn near to listen to him. The Pharisees and scribes began to complain saying: “ This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”             So Jesus began telling the story about the prodigal son, saying: “ A man had t...

The Tragedy of Unrepentance Lk 13: 1-9 Third Sunday of Lent Introduction Today is the third Sunday of Lent. Our reading today prods us to rethink and change our ways so that we may not impede the workings of God’s grace in our life. Our reading also warns us of the dire consequences of not heeding God’s call to repentance. The Gospel Our Gospel today begins with a report on two tragedies. One of these was when some Galileans who came to sacrifice at the temple were murdered by Pilate. The incident must have been unforgettable and gruesome as people saw how the blood of the murdered victims mingled with the blood of the animal sacrifices that were offered in the temple. The other tragedy was when a tower in Siloam fell on eighteen people who were there present for their ritual bathing and cleansing. On both these tragedies, people thought that all who died in them were sinners and that their deaths were somehow the price they had to ...

Jesus’ Exodus Lk 9: 28 – 36 Second Sunday of Lent Introduction We are into the second Sunday of Lent. Today’s reading is about the transfiguration of the Lord. Up there on the mountain Jesus was suddenly transfigured into a radiant and dazzling white figure with Moses and Elijah speaking to him. It is interesting to know why the Church presents to us this image of a glorious Jesus during this Lenten Season. The Gospel As the gospel reading today tells us, Jesus one day took Peter, John and James up the mountain to pray. Then suddenly as Jesus was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. Then, two men, identified as Moses and Elijah were conversing with him who like him, also appeared in glory. The two men spoke of Jesus’ exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. In the meantime, Peter and his companions, who were overcome by sleep became fully awake as they saw this unbelievably glorious appar...

If You Are the Son of God Lk 4: 1 – 13 First Sunday of Lent Introduction Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Our Gospel reading today is about the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Just like us, Jesus too was tempted by the devil. Our reading, however, also tells us how Jesus triumphed over Satan’s cunning wiles, giving us an example of how to deal with our own temptations. The Gospel             After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan and after having been filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus is led by the same Spirit into the desert for forty days to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry.             The desert and forty days remind us of the people of Israel who travelled in the desert for forty years. It was a time of testing where Israel met all sorts of difficulties including...