30th Sunday - A (October 29, 2017)

Matthew 22: 34-40

Commentary

“Be Imitators of the Lord”

In the 2^nd reading, Paul instructs the Thessalonians, “You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.   And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers.” 

In other words, Paul summarizes the progression of the Christian life.   He and his companion imitated the Lord.  The Thessalonian Christians imitate them [1].  Those Christians then become the models for others to imitate. 

Then in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the program of the Christian life, the program that he is the ultimate model for us to imitate: the two-fold commandment of love. 

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[1] Similarly, he wrote to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).  

 

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29th Sunday - A (October 22, 2017)

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Matthew 22: 15-21

What Belongs to God

“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

The question is, “What belongs to Caesar that does not belong to God?”

The fact is everything belongs to God, beginning with the life we have. 

Even Caesar’s power, in the eyes of faith, comes from God. 

While legitimate civil authorities have their roles in our lives, in the good running of a country and of the world, to them belongs nothing that does not come from God. 

Then, how does Jesus’ instruction guide or challenge me in how I set priorities of my life? 

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28th Sunday - A (October 14, 2017)

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Matthew 22: 1-14

The Wedding Feast for the King’s Son

Imagine myself as one of the guests in the parable.  I am invited – by the king, to “the wedding feast for his son.” 

Would I say no?

It’s unthinkable to say no to a king.  Period. 

And for such an occasion – the wedding feast for the king’s son, certainly it is a privilege of the few to be invited.

And when I am invited, how would I get ready for it?  With what attitude and excitement would I find myself going into the feast?

Today, God invites me to such a feast – the Eucharist.

Does this parable challenge me to evaluate how I approach the wedding feast of the Lamb of God?

 

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27th Sunday - A (October 8, 2017)

Matthew 21: 33-43

To Produce Fruits

This is the third vineyard parable that we listen to consecutively. 

For the first vineyard parable, we reflected on the privilege of working in God’s vineyard.  It is the vineyard owner himself who continues to invite us, “Go into my vineyard.”

The second parable affirmed the dignity that God has given to us.  We are no longer hired laborers, but children and heirs.  Our inheritance is the vineyard, given to us by God our Father. 

And today’s parable reminds us that the vineyard does not belong to us.  God, in God’s generosity, has given it to us as our inheritance.  It is indeed a privilege to work in God’s vineyard. 

This privilege comes with a responsibility, “to produce fruits.”

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26th Sunday - A (October 1, 2017)

Matthew 21: 28 – 32

Commentary

“Son”

Last week’s parable was the story of some laborers hired by the landowner to work in his vineyard.  This week, the landowner asks his own sons to go to his vineyard.

In the 2^nd reading for this Sunday, St. Paul reminds us of the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ who “emptied himself,” became one with us, and by his death of the cross, made us children of God.

Do we see ourselves as hired laborers or God’s children who God offers a share of the Kingdom?

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