We may not understand His Will for us in time, but in eternity the veil will be drawn and we shall see that He only acted for our happiness.
--St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Image source: https://www.quora.com/Why-was-Hermione-afraid-of-the-Veil-in-the-Department-of-Mysteries
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[How did] Jesus explain the purpose of the parables? "Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand" (Lk 8).
The use of the word "para" in the New Testament signals the failures to see at various levels. The great metaphor here is blindness, a blindness which is identified with disobedience.
The parables of Christ are meant to highlight and point out this blindness, this willful refusal to see. They themselves, in their peculiar form, are judgments on those who cannot see in them signs of salvation.
The parables are often exercises whose purpose is to confuse and confound the hearer, overturning her expectations and upsetting her theological convictions. A parable does its work by turning our ordinary conception of the spiritual world upside-down. And we would be greatly remiss if we did not attend to the instruction that emerges from those startling, funny, off-putting, and strangely enlightening stories that Jesus loved to tell.
Image source: Andrei Mironov, Parable of the Two Sons (2012), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Two_Sons
God sends the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel to convince them of their personal responsibility in making good choices. Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? God asks. The people believed that the sins of parents were visited upon their children, but Ezekiel informs them that this is not the case. Their situation in life is a product of their own choices, not those of their parents. So long as they do the Lord’s will, turning from wickedness in order to do what is right and just, they will be saved. For, as Psalm 25 reminds us, the Lord’s compassion and love are from of old; God is merciful. The psalmist can thus ask, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth, that I might do your will. The psalmist’s humility is a sign of his openness to the Lord’s will; he is ready to learn, ready to conform his will to God’s will.
When, in Matthew’s Gospel, the chief priests and elders of the people question Jesus’ authority yet again, he responds with the parable of the two sons, one of who refuses to go out and work in the vineyard today, yet then changes his mind and goes; the other replies, Yes, sir, but does not go. Jesus then asks his audience, Which of the two did his father’s will? They know the answer – the first, they reply – yet they fail to see that they themselves are the ones who are failing to do God’s will in their firm refusal to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. They will not repent and return to God; they say yes to God and follow the letter of the law but miss its spirit.
It’s not really rocket science: we must all, as Paul tells the Philippians, have in us the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the model of how we are to live, that is, from a position of humility and with obedience to the will of God. He humbled himself, Paul writes; our salvation came through Christ’s obedience. We must remain one in Christ, united in heart, by following his example through compassion and mercy, participating in the Spirit, loving one another. Humankind was created in the likeness of God; Jesus came in the likeness of humankind to reveal God and to heal the brokenness of all. We must make good choices: we must choose love; we must participate in the Spirit. Only then are we truly doing the Father’s will.
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
The parable of the laborers in the vineyard reminds us that God is there for us in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening…
Wherever you go
Wherever you may wander in your life
Surely you know
I always want to be there
Holding you hand
And standing by to catch you when you fall
Seeing you through
In everything you do
Let me be there in your morning
Let me be there in you night
Let me change whatever's wrong and make it right
Let me take you through that wonderland
That only [we] can share
All I ask you is let me be there
Watching you grow
And going through the changes in your life
That's how I know
I always want to be there
Whenever you feel you need a friend to lean on, here I am
Whenever you call, you know I'll be there
Let me be there in your morning
Let me be there in your night
Let me change whatever's wrong and make it right
Let me take you through that wonderland
That only [we] can share
All I ask you is let me be there
To hear Olivia Newton-John sing Let Me Be There, click on the video below:
Image source: Jesus embraces Mary Magdalene, The Chosen, Season 1, Episode 1, https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheChosen/photos/a.349529045840321/1280507759409107/?type=3
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Me yelling at birds in the street to MOVE so they don’t die is probably the same feeling God has watching me live my life.
--Dr. Brenda Loscher
Image source: https://www.dailypaws.com/pet-news-entertainment/wild-animals/guy-stops-traffic-so-ducks-can-cross-street
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Never presume that you are one of the early hires and that Jesus offers his parable only to curb your jealousy of late arrivals. No, we all come so late in the day. The mystery we seek has been wrapped in a beloved face and well-worn voice. In the power of the Spirit, the very person of Christ can come to us in prayer, even in the last hours of life.
--Fr. Terrance Klein
Image source: Ilya Repin, Raising of Jairus’ Daughter (1871), https://www.wikiart.org/en/ilya-repin/raising-of-jairus-daughter-1871
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The landowner sends the first group to the back of the line to give them the best view of generosity at work. He makes it so that the first group has no choice but to watch goodness and mercy lavished upon people they don’t think deserve it — people who, upon closer look, are just like them.
And by putting this group at the back, the landowner makes space for the later groups of workers in the front, a space they likely are not used to taking up. The generous, merciful landowner — reflecting the radical goodness of God — wants these people to know they matter too. And while there isn’t much dialogue recorded with the later groups, the landowner speaks volumes through his actions, which seem to say:
“My friend, you will get what you need, the energy you exerted has not gone unnoticed. Take your place at the front of the line, and pay attention:
See that your worth cannot be measured in baskets filled or hours clocked.
See that it is never ‘too late’ in my vineyard.
See that your presence here matters—and nothing you do or don’t do can change that.”
It is with this same radical spirit of fairness and generosity, of justice and grace, of creativity and mystery, that God looks upon each of us — and it is in this spirit that God calls each one of us to act.
Our God is a God of infinite possibilities, whose ways are high above the human ways to which we’ve grown accustomed. Our God cannot be tamed within the made-up constructs of in or out, worthy or unworthy, last or first. Our God is near to all who call upon the divine name in truth, no matter if we got to work at the crack of dawn or right before quitting time.
--Jessie Bazan
Image source: http://www.biblestudy1.com/laborers.html
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The next time you feel that God has been unfair, unjust, or ignored you, look to the great saints who lived to love and serve others, lived the idea that the last shall be first, and were too humbly content, and grateful, to be working in God’s vineyard to be worrying about who was getting how much mercy and reward for doing what. Love and serve God by loving and serving others, put others ahead of yourself, and faithfully believe that God will do right by you, and you will be cashing the greatest paycheck of all when all is said and done.
--Gabriel Garnica
Image source: Vincent Van Gogh, Red Vineyards at Arles (1888), https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2020/09/18/gods-goodness-and-the-laborers-in-the-vineyard/
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As the people of Israel exiled in Babylon at last begin to make their way home, they try to make sense of all they have experienced in their own terms. But the prophet Isaiah has a message for them: God is not nearly as limited as humankind makes God out to be, and God’s mercy is for all, including the scoundrel and the wicked. The people cannot, therefore, project their own ways of thinking onto God: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, the Lord tells them, nor are your ways my ways. And yet the Lord is near to all who call upon him, Psalm 145 reminds us. Although they may not understand God, God wants to care for God’s people, to be part of their lives, and there is no end to the power of his love: Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. God is always greater than we think, more than we anticipate, greater than we know, and we must do our best to recognize this, to be aware of the limits of our own understanding even as we praise God’s goodness.
In Matthew’s Gospel, having just reassured the disciples that everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or more for the sake of his name will inherit eternal life, Jesus reinforces this promise with the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Although some of the workers work all day in the vineyard and others work only one hour or two, each receives the usual daily wage. God provides for everyone, even those who arrive late, including in matters of faith. God’s mercy is great enough even for those who come to faith late, for God’s justice is not our justice and it does not fit into our limited imaginations. In this parable, the last are treated as well as the first; all may enter the kingdom of heaven. Mercy is given even when not earned, and fullness of grace is to live life in Christ.
Paul knew this as he wrote to the Philippians from prison: Christ will be magnified by my body, whether by death or by life. So long as Paul is in Christ, then Christ will be revealed in him, and the more Paul can reveal Christ, the more others will see and understand God’s love and mercy. Like Paul, like the disciples, we must all remain true to this experience, striving to manifest Christ in our own lives. Whether or not we fully grasp the depth of God’s love and mercy, we are meant to remain open, calling upon the Lord, that we might receive and then reveal that mercy as best we can. In this, we conduct ourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, as we reveal his love to our broken world.
This post is based on Fr. Pat’s Scripture class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com
Forgiveness cannot be forced.
Forgiveness, mercy, and the ability to move forward from our hurts can only occur when we are courageous enough to open our hearts and become vulnerable to ourselves. Then forgiveness can emerge and flower.
Before we can move forward to forgive one who has hurt us – we need to acknowledge what we feel: shame, the desire for revenge, sorrow, and feelings of poor self-esteem. Right there in the midst of these moments and feelings, we need to forgive ourselves for being human. Such feelings are more than understandable.
Then, we can make a new beginning. We need not carry the burden any longer. Then, forgiveness can get through.
--David Haas, Facebook, July 26, 2018
Image source: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_healthy_way_to_forgive_yourself
Speaking personally, these are the greatest challenges of my life: How do I love an enemy? How do I not let a jealous glance freeze my heart? How do I not let a bitter word ruin my day? How do I remain sympathetic when I’m misunderstood? How do I remain warm in the face of bitterness? How do I forgive someone who doesn’t want my forgiveness? How do I forgive others when my own heart is bitter in self-pity? How do I really love and forgive as Jesus did?
Image source: Alexandr Milov, Inner Child, available for purchase at: www.etsy.com
I have often said, “I forgive you,” but even as I said these words my heart remained angry or resentful. I still wanted to hear the story that I was right after all; I still wanted to hear apologies and excuses; I still wanted the satisfaction of receiving some praise in return—if only the praise for being so forgiving!
But God’s forgiveness is unconditional; it comes from a heart that does not demand anything of itself, a heart that is completely empty of self-seeking. It is this divine forgiveness that I have to practice in my daily life. It calls me to keep stepping over all my arguments that say forgiveness is unwise, unhealthy, and impractical. It challenges me to step over all my needs for gratitude and compliments. Finally, it demands of me that I step over that wounded part of my heart that feels hurt and wronged and that wants to stay in control and put a few conditions between me and the one whom I am asked to forgive… Only when I remember that I am the Beloved Child can I welcome those who want to return with the same compassion as that with which the Father welcomes me.
--Henri Nouwen
Image source: http://wcucatholic.org/are-there-limits-to-gods-forgiveness/
Quotation source
What's wrong with the world, mama?
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world's addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we tryna stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate, then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt, hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
Or would you turn the other cheek?
Father, Father, Father, help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (love)
Where is the love? (The love)
Where is the love? (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?
It just ain't the same, old ways have changed
New days are strange, is the world insane?
If love and peace are so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong?
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself, is the lovin' really gone?
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on? (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on? (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all?
Refrain
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema, yo'
Whatever happened to the values of humanity?
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality?
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive 'til love is found
Now ask yourself
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Refrain
Sing with me y'all (one world, one world)
We only got (one world, one world)
That's all we got (one world, one world)
And something's wrong with it (yeah)
Something's wrong with it (yeah)
Something's wrong with the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got (one world, one world)
That's all we got (one world, one world)
To hear Black Eyed Peas perform Where Is the Love?, click on the video below:
Image & video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaK2fDogQsE
When the heart is closed, it leads to fear, stress and anger. Nurturing the idea of the oneness of humanity has the effect of opening the heart. When you think of all other human beings as your brothers and sisters it’s easy to communicate with them all.
--Dalai Lama, Courageous Compassion
Image source: Daniel Popper, Hallow (2021), https://mykidlist.com/morton-arboretum/2/
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Twenty years ago, this weekend, we all witnessed a devastating cascade of suffering as the Twin Towers collapsed. My cousin was there that day. And while we don’t know the full story, we do know that he was up there as part of his work as a Secret Service agent to do work ahead of a visit by the President in the upcoming weeks. Craig had left his hotel room in the towers to get some breakfast when the first plane hit. We are told he then rushed back toward the towers to assist in rescue.
He didn’t make it out. I often wonder who did because of his acts, his works of faith. It was an instant moment of love and care for others that mobilized his courage and his sacrifice. The Lord God opened his ears, and he did not turn back. And he was one of thousands of people who acted in courage and care for others that day and in the days, months even years after in the healing and rebuilding efforts from that awful day.
Let us follow their lead during our cascading sufferings in the world today. God was powerfully present, faith alive in works of compassion in the face of suffering. Healing, rebuilding is the power of love. That is why Jesus rebuked Satan, not Peter. When Peter, discerning God’s voice, acts out of love, free from fear, good things evolve. Acts of selfless love are bold and courageous. Taking up the cross is brave and transformative. It is these acts when illusions collapse, and suffering is embraced that save us.
When work is done in common –
when hope, hardship, ambition and joy are shared
– it brings together and firmly unites
the wills, minds and hearts of men.
In its accomplishment,
men find themselves to be brothers.
You are submerged by a flood of troubles that the size of your household places on your shoulders. You must, then, call upon our Lord all the more and beg for his holy help, so that the work you must do will be agreeable to him and so that you will embrace it for his honor and glory.
Our days are few (cf. Job 14:1), and consequently our labor cannot be overlong. By means of a little patience, we will get through it with honor and contentment, for we have no greater consolation at the end of the day than to have worked hard and shouldered its pains.
“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23). These words denote the radicality of a choice that does not allow for hesitation or second thoughts. It is a demanding requirement that unsettled even the disciples and that, throughout the ages, has held back many men and women from following Christ.
Jesus walks ahead of his followers and asks each one to do as he himself has done. He says: I have not come to be served, but to serve; so, whoever wants to be like me must be the servant of everyone. I have come to you as one who possesses nothing; for this reason, I can ask you to leave all riches behind which prevent you from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. I accept denial and rejection by most of my people; therefore, I can ask you to accept denial and opposition from wherever it comes.
We cannot speak about the cross without considering God’s love for us, the fact that God wishes to shower us with good things. With his invitation “follow me,” Jesus not only says again to his disciples: take me as your model, but also: share my life and my choices, and stake your life for love of God and for neighbour together with me. This is how Jesus opens up before us the “way of life.”
--Pope Saint John Paul II
Image source: Norman Adams (Royal Academy), The Second Station: Jesus Receives the Cross, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Manchester, England, https://hiddengem.me.uk/adams-stations/
Quotation & complete article
One does not surrender a life in an instant.
That which is lifelong can only be
surrendered in a lifetime.
--Elisabeth Elliott,
Shadow of the Almighty
We are challenged to look at the realities of those who suffer and address them. No illusions. We are challenged then to look at our own suffering and the sufferings of others and address them – address them properly. We are asked to look deeper, see beneath illusions and act with love and care.
It is clear however, that this kind of power – the healing power of love, is not possible without God. Jesus knows that and teaches us that our path forward in grace is through suffering but through a suffering that is walked with in a friendship, a closeness with God. This is what it means to take up the cross. And Jesus is going to show them by doing it.
--Mary C. McGinnity
Image source: Veronica’s Gift to Jesus, detail from the sixth of the Stations of the Cross in the Kirche zu den Heiligen Engeln (Church of the Holy Angels), in Landsberg am Lech (Landsberg on the Lech River). Photo by Fr. Patrick Michaels, https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2159547224227460&set=pb.100005166090077.-2207520000.
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