The Vineyard Laborer

Humbling Oneself Lk 14: 1, 7 – 14 22 nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction In today’s gospel, we hear Jesus telling a parable about humbling oneself. This message tells us something about the kind of life we need to embrace if we want to follow Jesus. The Gospel 1  On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 7  He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. 8  “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, 9  and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. 10  Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so th...

#DAYLIGHT – Daily #MenOfLight#GospelReflection August 28, 2019 Wednesday of the 21 st Week in Ordinary Time Gospel: Mt 23: 27 - 32 Sharer: Bro. Mike Lapid ++++++++++++++++++++++ The Gospel 27  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. 28  Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. 29  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the memorials of the righteous, 30  and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets’ blood.’ 31  Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets; 32  now fill up what your ancestors measured out! ++++++++++++++++++++++ ...

The Narrow Door Lk 13: 22 – 30 21 st Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction In today’s reading, we hear Jesus exhorting us to enter through the narrow door. The narrow door for Jesus, seems to be the only way through life eternal. Many who fail to pass through it miss out the chance of an everlasting banquet in God’s kingdom. The Gospel 22  Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23  Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24  “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25  When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26  Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in o...

Jesus Cause of Division 20 th Sunday in Ordinary Time Lk 12: 49 – 53 Introduction In our reading today, Jesus tells us that he has come to set the earth on fire! These are strange words especially if taken literally in today’s context. But it just tells us how passionate Jesus really is in renewing the face of the earth. However, such desire to renew the earth comes at a price especially at the heavy price of breaking up relationships that matter most to his followers. The Gospel              “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50  There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!   Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.   From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three;...

The Wise and Faithful Servant Lk 12: 32-48 19 th Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus comparing his disciples as servants who must remain faithful and watchful and who eagerly await their Master’s arrival. The Gospel In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus exhorts his disciples, whom he also calls, little flock, not to be afraid because it has pleased the Father to give them the kingdom. Jesus then tells them to sell what they have and give alms; to get themselves purses that do not wear out for an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes and no moth destroys, awaits them. Then Jesus tells them: “ Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. “ Then Jesus addresses his disciples and compares them to good and faithful servants, saying: “ Be ready, dressed for service, and keep your lamps lit, like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding. As soon as he comes and knocks,...

Parable of the Rich Fool Lk 12: 13   - 21 18 th Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks about greed. Greed is one of the seven capital sins. Jesus warns us to be on guard against all for forms of greed as it may give us a false sense of security. The Gospel One day, Jesus was asked by someone in the crowd to become the arbiter of his brother’s inheritance. Jesus replied: “ Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then Jesus said to the crowd, “ Take care to guard against all greed for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Then Jesus began to tell them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘ What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘ This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “...