October 1, 2017

26th Sun., Ordinary Time

October 1, 2017:  Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
  • Crucifix:  "Jesus become obedient unto death on a cross." (2nd reading)
  • Tie with grapes:  "Sons, work in the vineyard today." (gospel)
  • 'Penny pincher' button:  "Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you." (gospel)
  • 'Wood block' tie pin:  Wood of the Cross (2nd reading)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
Listen
For 2nd reading kenosis hymn
For Psalm 25
    For future Sundays
Pope Francis in Bologna
With workers:  Only together, through dialogue, can we come through this economic crisis, find answers, and build the future.  Work together to seek a more just society.  Never grow used to youth unemployment and job loss.  Offer the poor the possibility of finding work and dignity.  The crisis is also ethical, spiritual, and human, rooted in betrayal of the common good.  The person and the common good, not the law of power, must be at the center, but that requires more opportunities for dignified work.
When Church, community, and the University dialogue and collaborate, humanism is strengthened, and the city ‘breathes,’ has a horizon, and can confront its challenges.  Seek wise and far-seeing solutions, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement.
With migrants:  Many who don’t know you are afraid and judge you harshly.  Unless we see others with mercy, we can't understand their suffering.  In every stranger I see Jesus Christ.  I carry your eyes, heart, and face in mine.  You're fighters of hope.  May your hope never turn into delusion or despair.  Work hard for a welcoming city.  Prevent distortion or exploitation; they're even more unacceptable because of their effect on the poor.  Open humanitarian corridors for refugees; spare them unbearable waits.  Integration begins with knowing the other's story....
At Cesena:  To citizens:  Good politics is a friend and collaborator, not servant or mistress; responsible, brave, and prudent, it calls for involvement and inclusion.  It doesn't plunder or pollute natural resources.  It harmonizes individual and group legitimate aspirations of individuals and groups by holding the rudder firm in the interest of all.  This is why Church social doctrine considers politics a noble form of charity.
Assume the perspective of the common good, rejecting corruption, the woodworm of politics that stunts civilization.
Demand commitment, preparation, uprightness, initiative, patience, and determination from your public servants, but they must not expecting perfection.  Make sure everyone’s voice be heard, especially the young and the elderly.  Relaunch good politics and its ability to reduce inequalities, promote the welfare of families, and provide an effective framework of rights and duties.
At Cathedral:  Christ’s disciples are to proclaim and witness the Gospel with joy.  Rediscover the joy of the Lord's amazing call to follow him to bring his word, his pardon, his love, his grace.  To make evangelization effective:
    • Walk in fraternity and unity:  Collaborate.  Put love of Christ is above all so that people's needs may be met.
    • Be sensitive to the poor:  When we care for their needs, God's mercy purifies and transforms us.  We're called to carry on, with the Lord's help, the "revolution of charity" Vincent de Paul began.
    • Pray:  Prayer is indispensable; it gives strength to our mission.  Our encounter with the Lord helps us to see Jesus who met people on the streets and to respect and love others and create a revolution of tenderness.
    • Be with the young:  Help them discover the gifts of the Lord and not to fear today's challenges.  Meet, listen to, and walk with them, so that they may receive Christ's free message of love.
    • Minister to families:  God’s grace, closeness, and power will help you.
Walk together in the face of difficulties, bearing witness to the Gospel.  Feel the Spirit's power compelling and supporting you.
Read
  • Ez 18:25-28  You say, "The Lord's way is not fair!" but the Lord asks, "It's your ways that aren't fair:  when people die after turning away from virtue, it's because of their iniquity, but if they turn from wickedness and do what's right, they'll preserve their life.
    Wordle: Readings 9-28-14
  • Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 "Remember your mercies, O Lord."  Teach me your paths.  You're good and upright.  You teach the humble and guide them to justice.
  • Phil 2:1-11  Do nothing out of selfishness or vainglory, but humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, and look out for their interests.  Have the attitude of Christ Jesus, who didn't grasp at his equality with God but rather emptied himself, coming in human likeness, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death.  Because of this, God exalted him, giving him the name above all others so that at his name every knee should bend and every tongue confess him as Lord.
  • Mt 21:28-32  "A man told his two sons to work in the vineyard.  The first said no but then changed his mind and went; the other said yes but didn't go.  The first did the father's will.  Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you; they unlike you believed John the Baptist...."
Reflect
    • Creighton:  Today’s readings focus on actions, the choices we make, the path we choose.  The other concept that tugged at me was glory.  A friend of mine manifests God's glory by doing things for others that help them cope.  Each of us is called to a different path so that God’s glory can be revealed.  If each of us lets God's glory in us shine, we'll create God's kingdom on earth.  People need to see God’s glory and feel God’s goodness to have the hope and strength they need.  Roll up your sleeves and get to work!
      The Parable of the Father and His Two Sons in the Vineyard/ Pencz
    • One Bread, One Body:  Christ's attitude was to empty and humble himself; it's "gentle and humble."  He came to serve, not be served.  He tells us to take the lowest place.  He "guides the humble to justice and teaches them his way."  He teaches us to "think humbly of others as superior" and look to their interests.  His attitude is graphically expressed by the manger, the cross, and the Eucharist.  Jesus' attitude is humble, obedient, unselfish, crucified, glorified, astounding, and mysterious.  Amazingly, he commands and graces us to have the same attitude....
    • Passionist:  Today's parable fits well into Matthew’s portrait of Jesus.  Action counts.  Tax collectors and prostitutes may have started out saying no to God’s will but changed their ways.  Throughout Matthew Jesus challenges hypocrisy and blesses those who seek to do God’s will.  Apparently there were divisions in the Philippi Christian community and Paul pleads for reconciliation, quoting from an early Christian hymn, inviting them to have Christ's attitude.  The hymn tells us that faith in Christ as exalted Son of God was already strong a decade or so after his resurrection.  Paul urges the Philippi Christians to think like Christ, to have the same perspective, to be concerned for others.  Jesus' giving himself out of love for others becomes the norm of Christian life.
    • DailyScripture.net:  
      The choices we make now shape our future.  The "rebellious" son changed his mind and did what his father commanded, but the son who said he'd work didn't.  Good intentions aren't enough.  God wants to change our hearts so we'll do his will.
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