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An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife, enjoying his extended family. He would miss the pay check, but he needed to retire. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a favour. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “My gift to you!” The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back. Build wisely!
What kind of future are you preparing for? Jesus encourages us to think - to think about the consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for now but for eternity as well. The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the life of the age to come. God has given every human being freedom of choice. This does not mean that we have the right to do whatever we please. We can live in true freedom if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who gives us the virtue of prudence. This virtue helps us to recognize what is good in every situation and to make correct choices. The Holy Spirit gives us the gifts of wisdom and understanding to help us make the right choices in life in relationship to God and others. The gift of counsel helps us to reflect on making correct choices in life. As Christians, our overall direction in life is determined by our commitment to God, and we must remember to ask Him to direct our lives. What is clear from this weekend’s Gospel and from the First Reading is that God is primarily concerned with our present relationship to Him. Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil.
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On this weekend we hear a thought- provoking parable about the Kingdom of God. Through this Jesus teaches us how the kingdom of God is open to all, that our God is a generous God who desires to save all people, all nations. In the Gospel we hear of a landowner who is very different from how we think. Probably most of us naturally sympathize with the first group of workers. Our reaction generally is that those who have done more, who have given more, should get more. That is simple justice.
But the story tells the difference between God's perspective and ours. In other words, God's perspective is that of the owner, who gave some of the labourers more than what it seemed they earned. What this means is that we have to look at this story from a very different point of view. We notice what God’s justice is like. It is clearly stated in the First reading from the prophet Isaiah. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Another name for God’s justice is mercy and compassion. God wants all to be saved. God is generous in opening the doors of His kingdom to all who choose to enter, both those who have laboured a life-time for Him and those who come at the last hour. So, rather than judging God for acting this way, we should be deeply grateful that our God is ready to receive us back at any stage once we express sorrow for our sins and wish to be reunited or united with Him in love. It teaches us that nothing God gives to us is our due. We have no right at all to receive the reward except by the mercy of God. Everything He gives us is pure gift from His abundant generosity and we cannot possibly earn it or deserve it. We should not be envious or jealous because God is generous to someone else. We labour for the Lord to give Him back a little through our praise, honour, and glory. And we labour for our neighbour for their welfare with the same spirit of loving-kindness and compassion which the Lord has shown to us. Let us rejoice that eternal life with God is offered to all people, including the people whom we may find this difficult to accept. Let us persevere to change our thoughts and ways and see with God’s compassionate eyes. This parable is an invitation to experience the mind of God - to practice love and compassion without the narrow mindedness of thinking in terms of our pathetic understanding of justice. Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil. Once two brothers, who lived in large acreage farms, had a falling out. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labour and goods as needed without any problems. Then the long enjoyed harmony fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One morning there was a knock on elder brother’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s tool box. “I’m looking for a few days’ work” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?” “Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you.” “Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbour; in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a field between us and he took his bulldozer to the river level and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll do him one better. I want you to build me a fence so I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.” The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.” The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The older brother’s eyes opened wide. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge, a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all and the neighbour, his younger brother was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. “You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done. ”The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter and said stay a few days I have a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother. “I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.
Forgiving in the full Christian sense is a form of loving and caring. Today we are told to forgive others and our forgiveness should not be just once or twice, but seventy times seven. This means that it is an ongoing decision day after day, week after week, year after year, without counting the cost. When we do not forgive someone, it is because we are passing judgment on that person. Jesus commanded us not to judge others so that we will not be judged. Let us remember St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer: “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” Our failure to offer pardon means that we have forgotten God’s goodness or have not fully appreciated the unconditional forgiveness we have received from Him. Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil. Our parish is supporting the Annual Catholic Campaign this year because we know how hard it has been for many in our community. Though prayer and action, we can be a blessing to those in real need. If you are able, and would like to make a donation, you can do so online at: https://bit.ly/3aQKUXN Thank you again for your support, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. This weekend’s Gospel deals with our relationship to each other and highlights one of the tricky responsibilities that we have towards others, namely fraternal correction. I remember reading this story somewhere, in a little church in a small village, an altar boy serving the priest at Sunday Mass accidentally dropped the cruet of wine. The priest was not happy and shouted, leave the altar and don't come back. That boy became Marshall Tito, the Communist leader. In the cathedral of a large city in another place, another altar boy serving the bishop at Sunday Mass also accidentally dropped the cruet of wine. With a warm twinkle in his eyes, the bishop gently whispered, "Someday you will be a priest." Do you know who that boy was? Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. How do we deal with others who have caused problems for us? Jesus has the answer in today’s Gospel: with straight talk, due process, but most of all, with grace and humility.
As Christians we are responsible and to a certainly extent accountable for the welfare of those under our care, be it children, parents, elders, or even friends. In each occupation, there is a responsibility and full accountability is required of the individuals. As Christians we are not individuals but members of the Body of Christ that is the Church. The readings of today tell us of God’s command of spiritual responsibility and accountability that each one of us have towards our neighbours. It speaks of our opportunity towards our brothers and sisters in Christ who live in error. They challenge us to care for our brothers and sisters and protect them in their physical and spiritual needs. This week, let us take some time to reflect on our responsibility towards God. Let us reflect on how we will account to God for the actions of those around us, be it our parents, our brothers or sisters, our children, our relatives, our neighbours and all of those whose life we touch. Blessings, Fr. Dantus Thottathil. |
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