Fr. Jose

---

Dear family members and friends:In today’s Gospel we read the parable of the vineyard which was leased to tenants who proved themselves wicked by their unfaithfulness and greed. In the responsorial psalm we proclaim, “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.” In the parable the vineyard is well protected and is with all facilities. This refers to the care the Lord has given to the house of Israel. The tenants are the leaders and elders of Israel who did not listen to the prophets nor to Jesus, the Son. Ultimately this parable refers to all of us who are God’s chosen people. He provides everything needed for us and He wants us to produce good fruits being faithful to Him. Let us follow His words and be filled with His grace in order to enjoy the fruits of His Kingdom. Amen.

Fr. Jose

---

Dear family members and friends: Jesus uses the parable of the two sons to teach about true obedience. The first one agreed to go to work, but didn’t go. The second one, though he refused to go to work at the first instance, later repented about it and went to work. This is the real obedience. It is not enough to say outwardly we follow the word of God, it should lead us to real repentance as the tax collectors and prostitutes, who though sinners later repented and become eligible for heaven. In the second reading St. Paul speaks about the real obedience of Jesus who emptied Himself to become obedient unto death. Let us obey the Word of God by putting them into practice in our life instead of simply pretending outwardly. Amen

Fr. Jose

---

Dear family members and friends: Today’s Gospel is actually an invitation for us to discover our identity and also our value as human beings. It is also an answer to the so called disparity in the earnings of different people. One important thing we should have in mind is the value God gives us out of His generosity. As in the parable the landowner calls the labourers on his own will and plan. Each one has to recognize his role and part in the work and at the same time respect others also recognising their role and part they do. Ultimately at the end of our life we will be given the reward according to our deeds and out of God’s generosity. Amen

Fr. Jose

---

Dear family members and friends: Today’s responsorial psalm reminds us, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and rich in mercy.” It is this nature of the Lord that urges Him to forgive. Jesus teaches us a very good lesson about our behaviour towards others, especially to those who do to us something wrong. We have to forgive them. There is no limit for forgiveness. It is an act of love. The parable of the wicked servant who did not forgive his fellow servant is a good warning to us about the need to forgive others because we have received forgiveness from the Lord several times. Let us practise this forgiveness in our family, workplace, community and also in all our relationships. Thus, we will be fulfilling the commandment of the Lord to love one another. Amen.

Fr. Jose

---

Dear family members and friends: In today’s Gospel Jesus deals with a very crucial matter: how to deal with a person who does something wrong in the community of believers. There is a chance of some personal conflicts within the community. The basic attitude we should have is one of peace, healing and restoring the broken relationship. Jesus speaks about various steps. The first one is to talk privately to the person concerned. Many problems can be solved by this. If not settled, the second step is to talk in the presence of two or three witnesses. If it is not still solved, then bring the matter to the church. Church includes the presence of Jesus and it has the moral and spiritual authority to decide what is right and wrong. Jesus gives a special authority to the church to bind and lose. As part of the church let us try not to get into conflicts and if anything happens reconcile at the earliest.  Amen.