The Vineyard Laborer

The Gifts of the Resurrection Jn 20: 19 – 31 Second Sunday of Easter Introduction In the gospel today, Jesus appears to the disciples who are holed up in a room for fear of the Jews. Jesus appears to them and gives them his peace and his Spirit. This gospel also recounts how Thomas who at first doubted the accounts about the risen Lord, believed as he saw for himself the wounds of the risen Lord. The Gospel              Our gospel speaks of the days after Jesus’ death when the disciples locked themselves up in a room for fear of the Jews. They were afraid they would be apprehended by the authorities and be put to death just like Jesus. Then from out of nowhere, Jesus appears to them and says: “ Peace be with you.”   He then showed them his hands and side. At seeing Jesus, the disciples rejoiced. Then Jesus once more says to them, “ Peace be with you. “ He then commissions them, sayi...

He Saw and Believed Jn 20: 1-9 Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection Introduction Today’s reading is about the resurrection of the Lord. On that early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene heads to the tomb where Jesus was buried. She finds the stone removed from the tomb and the body of Jesus missing. This narrative speaks of the first reactions of Jesus’ disciples on his resurrection. The Gospel             It was early in the morning on the first day of the week when Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where Jesus was buried. Jesus died and was buried on a Friday. By the time he was entombed, the Sabbath has begun. On the day of the Sabbath, there was to be no work done including washing and anointing Jesus’ body for burial. This is the reason why Jesus’ burial was done in a hurry. This also explains why Mary Magdalene had to come back to the tomb at dawn, on Sunday, the day after the Sabbath, to fini...

Remember Me Jesus Lk 22: 14 – 23: 56 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Introduction At today’s Passion Sunday reading, we hear of Jesus’ crucifixion according to the gospel of Luke. For most of Luke’s account, the crucified Jesus is jeered and mocked by everyone except for one of the criminals who was crucified with him who recognized him as king and savior.   The Gospel Today’s reading is taken from Luke who presents to us his version of the crucifixion narrative. Here, we find Jesus crucified with criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. In Luke’s narrative, we see a Jesus, who despite being jeered and mocked at, prays for the crowd’s forgiveness because “they did not know what they were doing.” Luke also presents the extent of the mockery on Jesus. First they divided his garments by casting lots. Second, the rulers who were there, sneered at him and said: “ He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Chr...

Sin No More Jn 8: 1 – 11 Fifth Sunday of Lent Introduction Today’s reading is about the woman caught in adultery. In this story, we see how people can be quick to judge and condemn their fellowmen, using even scriptures to justify their rash judgment. We see also in this story God’s compassion and mercy in the way Jesus handled the woman caught in adultery. The Gospel When Jesus was in the temple, people started coming to him. Then he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle. They said to Jesus: “ Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”   The scribes and Pharisees were referring to Deut 22: 23 – 24 which stated that a married woman caught in adultery must be stoned to death. The gospel of John also writes the motives of the scribes and Pharisees in a...