Dear God,
From the beginning you have created the heavens and the earth. And you have given us life and all its goodness. You fashioned each of us unique and different. But you instill within us a common element among all people, namely a space within our heart. A space that is meant only for you. It is only when we are connected to you Eternal, Most High, that we are content. When we are connected to you we find true joy, rest and peace.
Heavenly Father, send forth your Spirit today upon your people. Refresh and renew our own spirits. Rejuvenate us like at the wedding feast of Cana, when your beloved Son us re-fill the empty containers and turned water into the choicest of wines.
Today, as we begin this week, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we start by glorifying and honoring you, Most High. You who have loved us in a special way by sending Christ to be our King and Savior and the Holy Spirit, the one who sustains our faith.
We rely upon your mercy and compassion as we say: I confess...
Homily:
Heavenly Father,
Today, we hear the interesting parable about the two sons. They both said one thing to the Father. But later they changed their minds. One of them said he will help the Father in his vineyard, but he ended up not going. The other, at first refused his Father's request, but then had a change of heart, and then helped his Father in the vineyard.
Father, in this parable, we can see that you have blessed us with the gift of freedom. We all have a choice to your invitation. You invite us to be a part of your vineyard. You allow us to apply the gifts that you have given us within your vineyard. But ultimately, our freedom to love and serve you is a gift in itself. You did not create us as robots. You never coerce us or force us to work in your vineyard. You simply offer us an invitation.
It would be foolish not to accept your invitation. Because working in your vineyard gives us a meaningful purpose. It brings order into our lives. It keeps us far from a life of dissipation. Remaining close to you and following your ways fosters true peace and joy.
Father, you are also a patient God as your son reveals, a God who allows for repentance. Even when we stray from you and change our minds to serve you, you welcome home with open arms just as you do with the prodigal son.
Lord, it seems that you don't have a good memory when it comes to our past errors. You still allow for working in your vineyard.
But you care most about the current status of our faith. What matters most to you is that we stay within your vineyard, and work within your vineyard. Just as your Son says: I am the vine, and you are the branches. If a branch is not connected to the vine, it cannot bear fruit.
While we cannot possibly add anything to your glory, you have afforded us the opportunity to serve you and that it is life giving, it is meaningful in our lives. Perhaps that is what the younger son felt when he later change his mind. At first he may have felt that he had better things to do with his time. He may have thought to himself that you have other workers that could do a better job. Or he may have had a fear that he could not accomplish much in your rich and abundant vineyard. Or that he may not be worthy to be in your vineyard or serve in your vineyard. Whatever reasons they may be, it is a good thing that he changed his mind. And all the listeners agreed that the younger son did the Father's will.
Father, It's a good thing that you keep that invitation open and you patiently wait for each individual to respond. We sometimes wonder why other people do not quickly accept your invitation. But we humbly recognize that we operate not on our own time, but your time. You know everything and see everything.
At the same time, Father, keep us from being complacent in our faith and prayer life. Keep us from being complacent to serve you in our local church. Because being outside of your vineyard is unhealthy. It may lead us down a path of regrets and destruction. In contrast, your vineyard is life-giving.
Lord, but what is the kind of work that you want done within your vineyard. You need to speak to us through your Spirit. You need to tell us what to do. In the words of your servant Jeremiah, "Speak, O Lord, for your servant is listening."
Lord, renew, refresh and rejuvenate our spirits throughout this week. Even when prayer may seem routine, give us the strength to be disciplined in our prayer life. To value a life of prayer and always strive to remain connected to you.
Father, we also pray for our nation and our world. Too often we hear in the news media about all the violence that ensues, and taking lives of innocent civilians. We hear about different terrorists groups that threaten our livelihood and many others. We pray especially for the political leaders of different nations. That they embrace humility and seek to promote peace through non-violence and diplomatic ways. And eventually, we are conscious that this is your world, this is your vineyard.
Father, I lift up to you all the people who are present here today. They have taken the time for you. May they have many graces and blessings in return. Certainly, there are many trials for them on the righteous path. It may be trying to make ends meet, or providing for family, or acquiring knowledge at school through tests and exams, or struggling with an illness or old age. May they faithfully carry their crosses and follow your beloved Son, the Christ.
As we follow Christ, remove all our fears and worries. Our crosses may seem heavy at times but the yoke of Christ is easy and burden light. Our own crosses can never compare with Christ. It is always a lighter load than the one Jesus carried on the way to Golgotha. "No servant is greater than the master." And so we carry them and unite them to Jesus.
He is our King and savior and lives and reigns with you in the unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and and ever, Amen.
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