Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

We have been given so much treasure, and we will be judged not one how much we have or how much we returned to the Lord, but rather on whether we tried or not. The first two responded to the master's gift by doing their best, and one is not judged as inferior to the other - both receive the same words of praise. But the third servant does not even try. He hides the money. Not only is it that he does not appreciate the money, he does not even appreciate the master. Note his words are thinly veiled insults.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The parable of the virgins teach us to be prepared. The five wise ones looked ahead and prepared by bringing extra oil for their task, while the foolish ones were not prepared. Failure to plan is a plan to fail, as they say. It seems that the Lord can prepare us for our vocations, and the wise ones are those who ask the Lord to help them be prepared.

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus emphases the importance of humility, which is standing grounded in the truth. We are not to seek places of honor or praises of others, but simply do what the Lord asks. Those in positions of leadership are to lead with compassion, not simply ordering edicts that are too onerous to bear with no regard. Note that Jesus Christ does not condemn the scribes and Pharisees for their proclamations, but it was their lack of concern and follow-through on their part. Those who seek positions of leadership, it would seem, do not seek something wrong if their intention is to help others find salvation. Leadership that accepts Christ as Lord and Master and God the Father as our creator and Father, and aligned with God's will, is a true gift.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

We tend to make things so difficult, but in the end, only one thing is required: That we lave. But even that, we make complicated, but thinking love is something it is not. It is not an emotion, not a feeling of benevolence. It is an act of benevolence - and choice of the will to act for the best. Love is not easy, but it is not any more complicated than that. So let us choose to love, until those choices become who we are!

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Seeking to trick Jesus, the pharisees propose a dilemma of strict adherence to the Jewish law and supporting a regime that believed it was headed by a son of God. Jesus cuts threw the dilemma by telling them they should give to Caesar only what was due (his coins), but to God the rest. What a response! In discerning a vocation, we must be willing to look at our lives in such a way - what is eternal, of God, and meaningful, versus what is transitory, earthly, and minuscule. Giving the best to the Lord, and the rest where is falls, will guarantee we find our vocations.

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord invites us to a great feast, and we must give a response. Not giving an answer is a response. Saying no is a response. Killing the messenger is a response. But the Lord desires us to accept the invitation and come to Him. But we must also prepare our hearts for this banquet by putting on hearts and lives that love Him.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The loving Father has created all that surrounds us. He asks for the proper share of our labor - our thanksgiving, our praise, our worship. How easy it is to become 'practical atheists' - to profess belief in God, but to live without any reference to Him (except maybe an hour or so a week). The Lord is jealous for us - we belong to Him, not the world He created for us. Let us give Him the proper produce of what He has given us: hearts that long for Him.