27-Sep-2008
Dear Friend,
Whether we admit it or not we are 'gifted' people. We constantly receive gifts
even though we do not acknowledge them or may not be even aware of the gift. We
like to believe that we have earned what we have but the truth is: everything
is a gift, and God is the giver of all gifts. Have we stopped to count our
blessings and the many gifts we have received from God through so many people?
Everyday is a present! Do we value the greatest gift we have received -our
faith? Do we take it all for granted? Have a thanksgiving weekend acknowledging
the giver! -Fr. Jude
Sunday Reflections: 27th Sunday of the Year 'Ingratitude- adding insult to
injury!' 5-Oct-2008
Readings: Isaiah 5: 1-7; Philippians 4: 6-9; Matthew 21: 33-43;
Composed during the early years of his ministry, the prophet Isaiah takes the
role of a singer and takes for his theme the relationship between his friend
and his vineyard. The friend does everything possible for the vineyard
expecting it to produce plenty of fruit. After all his labour and care for the
vineyard all that the vineyard produces is thorns and thistles and sour grapes.
Nothing was left undone so that the vineyard would produce a rich harvest but
alas the results are disappointing and the owner is frustrated. The owner is
evidently Yahweh and the vineyard is the people of God, the Israelites. Israel
has not responded to all that God has done for his people and so it will be
rejected and God's care will be bestowed on the gentiles.
What We Owe Others
An American soldier, wounded on a battlefield in the Far East owes his life to
a Japanese scientist Kitasato, who isolated the bacillus for tetanus. A Russian
soldier saved by a blood transfusion is indebted to Landsteiner, an Austrian. A
German is shielded from typhoid fever with the help of a Russian Metchinikoff.
A Dutch marine in the East Indies is protected from malaria because of the
experiments of an Italian, Grassi; while a British aviator in North Africa
escapes death from surgical infection because of a Frenchman, Pasteur, and a
German Koch who elaborated new techniques. In peace as in war, we are
beneficiaries of knowledge contributed by every nation of the world. Our
children are guarded from diphtheria by what a Japanese and a German did; they
are protected from small pox by the work of an Englishman; they are saved from
rabies because of a Frenchman; they are cured from pellagra through the
research of an Austrian. From birth to death we
are surrounded by invisible hosts -the spirit of people who never thought in
terms of flags or boundary lines, and who never served a lesser loyalty than
the welfare of mankind. God has done and is doing so much for us through his
people. Are we grateful or take it all for granted?
Raymond R. Fosdick in '1000 Inspiring Stories''
Paul in today's reading asks the Philippians not to give way to anxiety and
worry but rather live in joy and peace with one another. He warns his readers
that if they continuously worry joy will go out of their lives and their peace
of mind will be disturbed. If they have needs that are making them anxious they
should make them known to God through prayer and he will take care of their
needs. Thus the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard their
minds and hearts. These reassuring words come from Paul, who was in prison and
who was not sure whether he would be sentenced to death. He had every reason to
worry but he preferred to trust in the Lord. His example is worth following.
Live In The Present
Four men were playing cards. They discussed what each one would do if news
suddenly came that the world was about to end and everyone was going to die.
One said, "I would go home and have a last look at a beautiful picture I have
always admired." Another said, "I would go and have fun, commit all the sins I
could while there was still time." The third more sensibly said, "I would make
a fervent act of sorrow for all my sins." The fourth man remarked, "I shall
continue to play cards." -We must learn to live in the present, never to play
the past records, not to worry about the unborn future. Be ready to face death
any moment of our life.
G. Francis Xavier in 'The World's best Inspiring Stories!
In today's gospel Jesus tells a parable of wicked tenants and a good landlord.
The parable is an allegory of God's dealings with his people. The landowner is
God. The vineyard is Israel. The wicked tenants are the people of Israel, but
more especially the religious leaders who had been given charge of the vineyard
by God. The servants are the prophets sent by God and so often rejected and
killed. The son is Jesus himself whom they killed. The parable was mainly
directed to the chief priests and elders as a warning but they did not heed the
warning. In the parable the tenants came to a terrible end. Israel too did not
heed God's warning and so they were punished, Jerusalem was destroyed and the
gentiles replaced the Jews as God's chosen people. God had bestowed on his
people the sort of love and care that a dedicated vinedresser bestows on his
vineyard. He planted it, nurtured it and provided every kind of nourishment for
it to grow and produce fruit. He
then leased it to tenants to continue taking care of it and hand over the
produce when he asked for it. But the tenants were wicked and cruel and hurt
the servants of the king and killed them. The owner was patient and gave them
another chance, sending a second set of servants whom they again brutally
murdered. Still the owner did not react but again gave them another chance,
sending his own son to collect the dues. The tenants killed the son hoping to
take over the vineyard for themselves. What the tenants did was ugly and
sinful. But God did not abandon his vineyard. He handed it over to others, who
would produce the fruits. These new tenants became the new people of God. Jesus
whom they killed became the cornerstone of the new building, the kingdom of
God. God never retaliates, he does not give up on humankind; he always gives us
another chance. The wicked tenants brought about their own downfall. We are
condemned by our own evil deeds. The parable
shows us that there is only one way to overcome evil, and that is by doing
good. God has given his vineyard to us to take care of it and produce fruits.
We are responsible to God for our world, for our community, our church and for
our life. It is a great privilege and a great challenge to. Are we grateful or
do we claim ownership of all?
Film: The Killing Fields
In 1973, Dith Pran, a well-educated interpreter, helps U.S. journalist Sidney
Schanberg to get into Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge is
advancing on the capital and Pran's family is evacuated while Pran stays with
Schanberg. While the people rejoice and welcome the Khmer Rouge, Schanberg and
other journalist are interned. They watch as the Khmer Rouge carries out
executions. Pran argues for the journalists release. They take refuge in the
French Embassy and are then expelled from the country. Schanberg tries to get
Pran out as well but the Khmer Rouge send him to a re-education labour camp.
Back in New York, Schanberg wins awards, but his associates criticize him for
not finding a way to get his friend out of Cambodia. Schanberg commences
efforts through the agency of the U.S. government and the Red Cross. Finally
Pran escapes and endures a long trek through the killing fields and is reunited
with Schanberg in Thailand. - In terms of
justice, this part of Matthew's Gospel can be applied to contemporary Killing
Fields such as those in Kosovo or of East Timor in the late 1990s. Prosperous
lands were invaded and their owners and heirs were tortured and killed by those
who wanted the inheritance for themselves. The Pol Pot regime, portrayed in the
Killing Fields, took over Cambodia and destroyed all its servants and heirs in
a massive genocide. Ultimately, the rightful citizens and owners of the land
obtained the opportunity of self-rule and were able to build up again. The
savage behaviour that turned Cambodia into killing fields is like today's
gospel parable about evil tenants who refuse to give the owner his due. Those
they murder, the servants and the owner's son, are like the innocent victims of
the despotic regime of the Khmer Rouge. The unjust persecutors were ousted and
condemned. Like Jesus and the kingdom, ultimately, the survivors became the
cornerstones of a new society.
Peter Malone in 'Lights Camera.... Faith'
"The Parable of the murderous vinedressers outlines a fundamental crisis in the
life of the Messiah and the history of salvation. God having spoken unwearingly
through the prophets to those in charge of the Vine of Israel, finally appeals
to them through his Son. With unparalleled authority Jesus proclaims the
coming of the vine harvest which is to take place at the end of time. The earth
must yield its fruit, the people of God must welcome its Messiah! But the
children are no better than their fathers. Just as their forebears rejected the
holy men and prophets, so the scribes and Pharisees are preparing to murder the
heir to the Vine which is so dear to God's heart. Because of them the people to
whom the promise was made are in danger of losing their privilege as the chosen
race, and of breaking the covenant through which God's plan had to be
fulfilled. It is quite clear here that Jesus is announcing his death. The
parable concludes with the warning
which is also prophetic: the Church of the risen Lord will take up anew the
mission which formerly fell to Israel. But these other vinedressers, in their
turn, must not disappoint the Lord, who continues to expect produce from the
vineyard." Glenstal Bible Missal
Jesus the rejected stone or Cornerstone
Throughout history many like Emperor Julian and Nero wanted to wipe out
Christianity, but the Church proved to be stronger than any earthly power. For
Jesus is the cornerstone of the Church. At the end of time, the 'King of the
Jews' will come in power to judge all peoples. We have nothing to fear if Jesus
is the cornerstone of our life, because we will feel at home with him and he
with us. - When Queen Victoria reigned in England, she would occasionally visit
some of the humble cottages of her subjects. Once she entered the home of a
widow and stayed there to enjoy a brief conversation. Later on the lady was
taunted by her neighbours. "Granny" they said, "Who is the most important guest
you have entertained in your home?" They expected her to say it was Jesus,
knowing her for her piety, but to their surprise she answered, "Her majesty the
Queen!" "Did you say the Queen? Ah, we caught you this time! How about Jesus
you're always talking about? Isn't he
your honoured guest?" She answered, "No indeed!" He's not a guest. He lives
here!"
Antony Kolenchery in 'Living The Word'
Grateful for all we have received, may we be accountable to Him!
Fr. Jude Botelho
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been
collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and
from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever
possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in
these reflections. These reflections are also available on my web site
www.netforlife.net Thank you.
Share files, take polls, and make new friends - all under one roof. Go to
http://in.promos.yahoo.com/groups/
