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TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In our Gospel from Matthew, Jesus illustrates the divine mercy of God through the parable of the vineyard workers. The just vineyard owner hires workers several times over the course of the day. At the end of the day, he instructs his foreman to pay all the workers the same wage regardless of the amount of work or the time they have spent working thus ensuring that each has received enough to support themselves and their families. However, this doesn’t sit well with the workers who put in long hours and feel that they are more deserving than those who had started working later in the day. This story likely hits home for many of us. We live in a society where we work for a wage that we consider just and expect to be paid fairly for the work that we do. We resist sharing our hard-earned wealth and resources with those who do not work to earn theirs. In the first reading from Isaiah, we are reminded that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and God’s ways are not our ways. God’s mercy opens the doors to the kingdom of heaven to all of us. As followers of Christ, we are called to set aside the ways of this world, and live out the gospel, by thinking and acting in a manner that reflects the generosity and mercy of God. |
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TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In our Gospel from Matthew, Peter comes to Jesus with a question about forgiveness asking how many times we must forgive someone who has intentionally hurt or harmed us. He suggests seven times to Jesus thinking that this is a reasonable number. But Jesus responds, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times” suggesting that forgiveness is intended to be limitless. In other words, as followers of Christ, we are not in a position to judge another person’s worthiness when it comes to forgiveness. We are simply expected to grant forgiveness without exception. This is often easier said than done. Sometimes the hurt runs deep and we hold on to grudges, resentment and the transgressions that we have suffered at the hands of others. Through the parable of the unrepentant servant, Jesus teaches us that God’s mercy and compassion are abundant. Having received this abundant gift, we are called to forgive others without limit in the same way that we have been forgiven. Today, let us take to heart the words of the Lord’s Prayer “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” and ask God to grant us the desire to forgive the people in our lives who have wronged us. |
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TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In our gospel from Matthew, Jesus provides us with some basic instructions when it comes to conflict resolution within the community of believers. He tells us that most importantly we must try to work out our disagreements with the other person in a private setting that allows them to maintain a sense of dignity and respect. Only if we cannot reach agreement should we try to illicit help from others in the community. If in the end we still cannot come to terms with those who have wronged us, while unfortunate, it may be best to separate ourselves from the relationship. As a community of believers, we must realize that none of us is perfect. We are human beings. We have faults, we trip up, we fail and we sin. The important thing is that we make the effort to correct our behaviour, forgive when called upon and do our best to be reconciled to one another. This isn’t always easy, but if we follow the example Christ has set for us, we can work together to maintain a community of harmony and unity where Christ’s presence is truly felt by all who gather in His name. |
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THE EIGHTEENTH TO TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Our Gospel from Matthew tells us that Jesus needed some time to himself after learning of St. John the Baptist’s death. However, when he comes ashore, he encounters a large crowd awaiting his arrival. We are told that Jesus although grieving John’s death, is moved with compassion for the people and so begins curing the sick among them. As evening approached, the disciples realizing that the people had been without food for some time, approached Jesus urging him to send the people home. Despite their urging, Jesus allows the crowd to stay and satisfies their physical hunger through the miracle of the loaves and fishes. This is an important lesson, not only for the disciples, but for us as well. Jesus’ instruction to “give them something to eat” demonstrates that when we see a need, we must respond; even when it might be easier to leave it to someone else. When we open our hearts to those around us, we too will be moved with compassion to follow the example that Jesus set for us by sharing our resources for the good of others. BULLETIN – 18th to 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026 – Year A |
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THE THIRTEENTH TO SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME In this week’s gospel, Jesus tells the apostles, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me”. As followers of Christ, Jesus calls each of us to take up our crosses and follow him. In light of the suffering and death that Jesus endured, the thought of taking up the cross can be daunting. However, Jesus is not asking us to seek out suffering and place ourselves in harm’s way. Taking up one’s cross refers to facing the challenges and difficulties that we encounter in a manner that follows the teachings of Christ. This involves changing our attitudes and being open to putting his way of life into practice by reaching out to the stranger, caring for the marginalized and surrendering ourselves to the will of God. BULLETIN – 13th to 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026 – Year A |