Twenty-nineth Sunday of the Year

"For this Sunday we are looking at not a parable of Jesus, but a riddle of Jesus.  You could call this the riddle of Caesar and the coin.  It's the famous story of the coin that Jesus is presented with, and he is asked whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not, and then gives his response.  So for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A, we are going to be looking at Mt. 22:15-22: LINK .

Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year - 2026

At the time Jesus formed this parable, people would be familiar with the custom for a great king, hosting the wedding of his son, to provide all the wedding guests with elaborate wedding garments so the whole affair would look spectacular. Not to accept and wearing these garments would be a great insult, provoking the king’s anger. Jesus forms this, parable, using the symbolism of a king’s wedding for his son, to convey a real and serious lessons to people at that time, and to all of us today. This parable encapsulates a short history of salvation. Looking at its components we are to understand that: +  The great King is the Lord God, his Son is Jesus. +  The wedding feast is that of the Lamb of God, with the saints assembling with him in heaven. +   Those first invited to the wedding are the people of the O.T. +   The servants sent out with the invitation are the prophets of the O.T. who were ignored, abused, and murdered. +   The army sent to punish those who did this is the Roman army, who destroyed Israel. +   The new servants with a new invitation are the evangelist of the gospel. +   The newly invited, “both good or bad”, are the peoples of all the world – including us. +   The wedding garment provided is the garment of mercy and salvation, covering all unworthiness. +   Wearing it is a life of holiness – not wearing it a life of un-repentant sinfulness. Through this parable Jesus teaches that there is only one true King, the Lord God, >   only one divine Son, Jesus, >   only one wedding feast, eternal life of heaven, >   only one invitation, the gospel, >  only one body of servants sent out to invite, the Church, united in the Holy Spirit. This parable of Jesus is as fresh and relevant for us today as it was to those who first heard it. As it was then, so it is now, the invitation continues to go out and the invitation today is receiving the same mixed results. Two questions remain: ?   Have I accepted the invitation, embracing it unconditionally? ?   Am I putting on the garment of a truly holy life?

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Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year - 2026

These days, as we look out on the world around us, we see many troubling and disturbing realities looming before us.  The words of St. Paul in today's Second Reading will be a guiding light for us showing how we should approach these troubling times. Remember, Paul is writing these words from prison – his very life hangs in the balance. Yet out of this ominous darkness, he sends this remedy, this recipe for dealing with darkness. Listen again to his words: Brothers and sisters: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,  will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Worry leading to panic, leading to loss of peace cannot lead to solutions to the darkness. So how then should we deal with the threats that surround us and trouble us? Paul goes on to offer this guiding light of wisdom:  Whatever is true: “. . . only Truth can make you free” – Jesus’ words. We must find truth and listen for those voices who speak real truth, not fake truth.    Whatever is honourable: look to those who rise above the chaos, those who’s words and deeds have bourn the test of time, who by their legacy of goodness have given us an example to follow.  Whatever is just: which works that people undertake bring suffering, which bring peace? Blessed are the peacemakers.  Whatever is pure: can a bad tree produce good fruit - by their fruits you know them.  Whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness - Blessed are the merciful - Blessed are the pure of heart -  Finally Paul concludes:  If there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise: Think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Twenty-sixth Sunday of the Year - 2026

Matthew  21:28-32 Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not, ' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" . . . LINK . . .

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