Homily - 26A Sunday homily (01 October 2023) The parable of the two sons

 

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS 

1. STORY

John wanted to open a small restaurant to sell healthy food.  He borrowed $50,000 from a bank to begin this business.  Being a hard worker, he cleaned tables, washed dishes, and greeted customers. Nothing was too difficult for him.  One day while he was washing dishes, he saw the bank manager come in for a meal.  As he was a bit messy in appearance due to his work, he avoided the manager and told one of the employees to care for him.  When the manager went to the washroom near the kitchen, John who was in the kitchen, avoided seeing him again.  The next day John received a call from the bank manager inquiring how the business was going.  He told John that they would be very happy to lend him more money if there was a need.  He was so impressed with John’s dedication and hard work that he was sure the restaurant would be a great success.

 

2. GOSPEL, MT.21:28-32, THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS

A. GOD HAS WORK TO BE DONE

The father in the story who needed work to be done in his vineyard represents God who needs our help for work to be done in the world. The father naturally asked his two sons for help. God asks us for our help. 

B. THE SONS’ RESPONSE

The first son said yes.  He would certainly help his father by working in the vineyard.  However, he did not keep his word and gave his father no help.  The second son said no.  He would not help his father by working in the vineyard.  Which son did what the father wanted?  It was the second son who represents sinners who have repented.  The first son represents those who say yes to God in word but no to God in action. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. WORK TO BE DONE TODAY

There are many works to be done for Jesus.  Here are two for our consideration. 

i. There are many Catholics who at baptism promised to follow Jesus as disciples.  Due to work, difficulties, ignorance or laziness, they have left Jesus.  They have stopped following him.

ii. There are many who have never heard about Jesus.  These may include family members, friends, co- workers, fellow students, neighbors, and strangers.  

B. WE ARE GOD'S WORKERS

As the father in the parable asks his sons for help, so does God ask us, his adopted sons for help.  He wants us to do two things. 

i. He wants us to bring back those who have left him.  We do this by our prayers for them, by our good example, by being kind and concerned about them, and by inviting them back to the Church.

ii. God wants us to contact those who do not know him and tell them about Jesus.  We can invite them to go along with us to church to see how we worship and to invite them to study the doctrine in preparation for baptism.  The church will make available missionary leaflets for you to distribute to such persons.   We must be faithful, diligent, and persevering workers.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The owner of the small restaurant was such a conscientious worker that he greatly impressed the bank manager who was sure the business would succeed.  The father asked his two sons for help with only one of the two giving help to his father.  God asks us for help in bringing back the lost sheep and by telling others about Jesus.  We must be faithful workers in God’s vineyard.

Homily - 25A Sunday homily (24 September 2023) The parable of the workers in the vineyard

 

TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD

1. STORY

Three friends lived next to each other.  Mr. A’s house was worth 3 million dollars, Mr. B’s house was 2 million, and Mr. C’s house was one million.

Mr. A’s son asked his father if he would sell his house if a buyer offered him 4 million.  His father said he would.  The next day Mr. A received an offer of 5 million for his house from a buyer named Mr. G. He was thrilled with this most generous offer and sold his house immediately, praising the generosity of the buyer, Mr. G.  The following week, Mr. B also sold his house to Mr. G for 5 million, and he also praised Mr. G for his generosity.

When he informed Mr. A that Mr. G bought his house for 5 million, Mr. A immediately reacted angrily accusing Mr. G of being unfair.  Finally, Mr. C sold his house and informed Mr. A and Mr. B that Mr. G bought his house for 5 million.  Then both became angry at Mr. G and accused him of being unjust.  Mr. G was very just and most generous as Jesus was in the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.

 

2. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 20:1-20

A. GOD IS JUST

The owner of the vineyard, who symbolized God, was just.  He gave each one what was fair.  All received a just wage for the work they did.  “I will pay you whatever is fair.” 

B. GOD IS GENEROUS

God not only gave what was just, he was generous in giving much more than some deserved.  This caused some to be envious.  Jesus asked, “Are you envious because I am generous?”

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. GOD IS GENEROUS

God gives us this beautiful world as our home.  God gives us our life. He gives us eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak, hands to use, and feet to walk.  He gives us a mind to think and a memory to remember.  He gives us air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat. He gives us Jesus to save us.  He gives us his word to teach us how to live.  He gives us the Eucharist as spiritual food.  He gives us forgiveness when we have sinned.  He gives us eternal life.  God is truly generous.

 

B. GOD WANTS US TO BE GENEROUS

God wants us to share the blessings we have received with those in need.  Here are five ways we can be generous.

i) Pray for one in need.

ii) Give a smile to cheer up a sad person.

iii) Give a compliment of a word of encouragement.

iv) Give some of your time to help a needy person.

v) Give your forgiveness to someone who has offended you.

When we follow God’s example of being generous, we bring happiness to others and to ourselves.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The home buyer, Mr. G, was more than generous to the three home owners.  Yet two were unhappy because they were envious. T he workers in the vineyard were all given a fair wage but some were unhappy. T hey were envious because the owner of the vineyard was not only just but he also was generous.  God is generous to us, and he wants us to be generous towards others.  In following God’s example, we make others happy and also make ourselves happy.

Homily - 24A Sunday homily (17 September 2023) Forgiveness

 

TOPIC: FORGIVENESS

STORY

John was playing basketball with his good friend when his friend accidentally pushed him.  His friend immediately apologised to John. John was angry and refused to forgive him.  That night and the following day his friend called John to apologise.  John still refused to forgive him.  A few days later John received a call that his friend died suddenly.  John was deeply affected by this news as he regretted not having forgiven his good friend.  This guilt stayed with him for many years.

 

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:21­-35

THE SERVANT WAS FORGIVEN

A servant, John, owed his master a large sum of money.  He pleaded for time as he would repay his debt.  His master forgave him his huge debt.   

THE SERVANT REFUSED TO FORGIVE

This servant John, who was forgiven was asked to forgive his fellow servant who owed him a very small amount of money.  He refused to forgive this small debt.  The master upon hearing this punished John for having received forgiveness, yet he refused to forgive.

 

APPLICATION TO LIFE

WE ARE FORGIVEN

1) We are sinners who have been forgiven many times by Jesus.

2) Jesus has taught us in the Our Father to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others.

3) Jesus has provided us with the sacrament of reconciliation, confession, as a sign of his willingness to always forgive us.

 

WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS

1) People are weak and inclined to hurt others by word or by action. Sometimes it is deliberate and at other times not deliberate.  This is a fact of life.

2) When we forgive others, we make them happy and we also make ourselves happy. 

3) Forgiving others is a sign of a true disciple of Jesus who came to seek out the sinners, forgive them and bring them back to his father.

 

CONCLUSION

1) John refused to forgive his friend when he had the opportunity. When his friend died suddenly, John regretted not having forgiven his friend when he had a chance to do so.

2) The master forgave his servant, John, a huge debt John owed his master.  Yet, John refused to forgive a fellow servant a small debt.  The master punished John for not forgiving his fellow servant. 

3) Jesus has forgiven us a countless number of times.  He has taught us the importance of forgiving others.  We thank Jesus for his forgiveness and ask for his help to forgive others.

Homily - 23A Sunday homily (10 September 2023) Peace and Unity in our church

 

TOPIC: PEACE AND UNITY IN OUR CHURCH

1. STORY

A father wanted to teach his five children the importance of unity and peace in a family.  He gave each one a small stick and asked them to break it which they easily did.  He then tied five sticks together into a small bundle and asked them to break the bundle.  They all tried and failed.  He explained to them that when they are united and live in peace, they will be strong like the bundle of sticks.  When they are disunited, quarrel, and not living in peace, they will be weak like an individual stick.  He urged them to live in unity and in peace.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 18:15-20

A. IF YOUR BROTHER SINS AGAINST YOU

Jesus is aware that a problem may occur in the Church.  Though he wants us to live in peace and harmony, he is aware that we are often not able to do this.  We may offend some Catholics in a serious way or not in a serious way.  We may do it willingly or unwillingly. 

B. GO AND TELL HIM HIS FAULT

Jesus gives us his solution to the problem.   He wants us to do our best to bring unity and harmony.  He wants us to do three things to solve the problem.

i) Discuss it with the person involved.

ii) If this fails, ask a few others to work along with you.

iii) If this is not successful, then go to someone in the church, such as a priest, sister or even the bishop.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. JESUS WANTS US TO LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY

Each time we participate in the Mass, there are two prayers that remind us of this.  In the prayer of the sign of peace, the priest prays, “Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, I leave you peace, my peace I give to you.  Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom.”  The second prayer said at each Mass is “May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.”  These prayers remind us of the importance of peace and unity. 

B. THREE SUGGESTIONS TO HELP ACHIEVE THIS UNITY

There are many ways to do this. Here are three suggestions:

i) Prayer.  We must pray for the person or persons involved as Jesus reminds us of the power of prayer.  “If two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.” 

ii) Ask for forgiveness.  If you have offended someone, forgive those who have offended you.

iii) Be careful in what we say.  Praise more and criticize less.

 

4. CONCLUSION

The father taught his children the importance of living in harmony. This unity brings strength to the family.  Jesus wants us, as members of his family, the Catholic Church, to live in unity.  He taught us how to achieve this goal.  We must work together to bring peace and harmony to our family, our parish, and to the world.  Three ways to do this are to pray, forgive others, and be prudent in our speech.

Homily - 22A Sunday homily (03 September 2023) The Cross and the Crown in our lives

 

TOPIC: THE CROSS AND THE CROWN IN OUR LIVES

1. STORY

John was the only survivor of a shipwreck on a small, uninhabited island.  He prayed to God to rescue him, but no help came.  He was able to build a small hut for protection.  One day, as he was out looking for food, he saw smoke rolling up to the sky.  He was stunned with grief to find his hut burned down.  Early the next day, he heard the sound of a ship approaching the island.  It has come to rescue him. John asked them how they knew there was someone on the island. They replied that they had seen the smoke signal.  His cross had turned into a crown.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 16:21-27

A. CHRIST MUST SUFFER

Jesus tells his disciples two things.

i. He must suffer at the hands of the leaders and that he will be put to death. 

ii. He will be raised up on the third day.  Jesus must carry his cross and also will wear his crown. 

B. PETER REJECTS JESUS’ TEACHING

The gospel tells us two things about Peter.

i. He is shocked to hear that Jesus will suffer.  “God forbid that such things are to happen to you.” 

ii. Jesus scolds Peter because he is “not judging by God’s standards but by men’s.”  Peter rejects the idea that such a good man as Jesus must suffer.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. SUFFERING IN LIFE

There are two things we must remember.

i. Suffering is a part of everyone’s life.  Everyone must carry his cross. Some carry heavy ones while others carry lighter ones.  Christ has told us that those who wish to follow him must “take up his cross.” 

ii. Jesus will bless us if we are willing, freely, and obediently accept our cross.  He will reward us with a crown, eternal life.  He has said “whoever loses his life (suffers) for my sake will find it (receive eternal life).”  Like Jesus, we must carry our cross and will wear our crown.

 

B. WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND

Unlike Peter, we must do two things.

i. We must accept the fact there is and will always be suffering in life. Some think it is a punishment from God for their sins.  Good people are surprised that they suffer as they live by God’s law of love.  Some think that God is cruel and merciless.  All are wrong. 

ii. We must not be like Peter who judged by men’s standards.  What we must understand is that God loves us, cares for us, and gives us the strength to carry our crosses.  He is our loving father who wishes us to be happy.  We ask Jesus to strengthen our faith and illuminate our minds to see clearly that after carrying our cross in this life we will wear the crown of eternal happiness.  No cross, no crown.  No pain, no gain.

 

4. CONCLUSION

John realized that the burning of his hut was the way he was saved. Jesus, after suffering on the cross, would be raised from the dead and earn salvation for all.  Peter failed to understand this.  We also must follow Jesus in that we must suffer, but, finally, we will enjoy eternal life.  We must carry out our cross, but we will also wear the crown of eternal life.