The Vineyard Laborer

I Await Your Coming in Glory Lk 21: 25 – 28, 34 – 36 First Sunday of Advent Introduction Today is the first Sunday of Advent. In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks about his coming in glory and power. He also tells us to await that day when he comes and to remain always watchful and prepared. The Gospel In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about his coming in glory and power. He tells his disciples: “ There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. “   As Jesus describes it, the end will come accompanied by cosmological signs both in the heavens and on earth. Apparently, there will be great confusion among the nations, as nations will be in “ dismay and perplexed.” People would also die frightened as the entire universe is shaken up. But these cosmological upheavals are meant only to herald and announce the coming of the Lord. Jesus himself describes how he wo...

Witnessing to a Kingdom Not of This World Jn 18: 33 – 37 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe Introduction Our Gospel reading is about Jesus who was brought before Pilate. There, Pilate interrogates Jesus, asking him if he was a King. The Gospel Our Gospel narrates to us a time when Jesus stood before Pilate. Pilate, a Roman citizen himself, was then the governor of Judea. Jesus was brought before Pilate by the Sanhedrin (or the Council of Jews) who sentenced Jesus to death for blasphemy. Since the Sanhedrin had no power to put anyone to death, they handed over the matter regarding Jesus’ death to Pilate who alone had the authority to put anyone to death under Roman laws. Pilate himself tells Jesus how his own countrymen handed him over, saying: “ Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. “ Presumably, the Sanhedrin would have briefed Pilate regarding their accusations on Jesus even before meeting Jesu...

You Alone Will Endure.  All Else Shall Come to Pass Mk 13: 24 – 32 33 rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction Today’s gospel speaks about the time when Jesus would come again in glory.   His coming signals the passing and the end of everything. This would also signal the time when he would gather all those who have been faithful and have waited for him. The Gospel Our reading speaks about the time when Jesus spoke to his disciples about the end of days. Jesus said: “ In those days after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Jesus tells his disciples that the end of days will be preceded by a time of testing, or what he calls, a time of tribulation. Then, after this, the end will be heralded by a cosmic upheaval, where the various heavenly bodies like the sun, moon and stars would cease to follow their usual path ...

To Be Generous Without Expecting Anything in Return Mk 12: 38 – 44 32 nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction In our gospel today, we see the observant Jesus speaking about what he sees happening around him. First, he mentions his observations about the scribes. Of this group, Jesus gives a word of caution, telling the crowd to beware of their wiles. Secondly, he cites the generosity of a widow who gives all that she has to the temple treasury. The Gospel In the gospel today, Jesus speaks about the things that he observes. The first of these observations is not a positive one. In fact, it comes as a word of caution to all who listened to him. Jesus warns them saying: “ Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the market places, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.” In those days, scribes were considered to be the interpreters of the Old Testament Laws. They were the ancient ver...

Let Me Grow in Love Mk 12:28 – 34 31 st Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction The Gospel today talks about a scribe who came to Jesus one day asking him which is the first of all the commandments. Jesus cites him two commandments and not one: the love for God and the love for one’s neighbor. The Gospel Our reading today tells of how a scribe came to Jesus asking him: “ Which is the first of all the commandments?”   Jesus replies first by quoting Deut 6: 4 – 5, a well known prayer that is recited by every pious Jew twice daily.   Jesus said: “ Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”               Then Jesus quotes another precept taken from Lev 19:18, saying: “ The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”   Jesus finishes h...

Hear My Voice and Have Pity on Me Mk 10: 46 – 52 30 th Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction The Gospel today tells the story of the blind man Bartimaeus who got the attention of Jesus by shouting out loud: “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus heals Bartimaeus telling him that his faith has saved him. The Gospel Jesus was about to leave Jericho. He was accompanied by his disciples and a sizable crowd. Along the roadside where Jesus and the crowd were walking was Bartimaeus, a blind man. This roadside would have been his usual place. The foot traffic made it the perfect place to beg. Perhaps after years of begging on the streets, his voice would have become so loud by now, as it was the only way to call the attention of the passing crowd, most of whom would not have noticed him as they quickly walked their way past him. The evangelist Mark tells us that Bartimaeus called out to the Lord   because he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth who was passin...

Let Me Find My Purpose In Life Mk 10:35 – 45 29 th Sunday in Ordinary Time Introduction The Gospel today talks about some sort of power struggle among Jesus’ disciples. James and John approached the Lord asking him to let them sit at his side when his glory comes. The Lord gently corrects them and tells his disciples that anyone who wishes to be first must become a servant to all. The Gospel The brothers James and John must have quietly approached the Lord one fine day, making sure that no one of the other disciples heard what they were about to request from the Lord. They told Jesus: “ Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left. “ They were already securing for themselves prime slots at Jesus’ kingdom when his glory comes and wanted to make sure that Jesus accedes to their request.   Jesus, must have been surprised by their request. His surprise becomes clear when ...