A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
The landowner of the vineyard in the gospel seems to invite conflict. If he wanted to be generous without causing resentment among the workers, he could have first paid those who had worked since the early morning; the wage he had promised and allowed them to leave. The workers hired in the final hour would likely still have been grateful for their generous pay without being compared to the others. But the landowner does the opposite! For, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways” says the Lord in the first reading.
Feeling unfairly treated can stir anger, frustration, hurt, confusion, and self-doubt because it challenges our sense of justice, respect, and self-worth. The early workers experienced all these emotions. Yet, the landowner did not intend to provoke conflict; he addressed one of them as “friend.” His aim was not simply to provide work, but to build a community through his distinctive approach. For, “the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness”, says the responsorial psalm. His mercy, charity and generosity are more than any intellectual, emotional, and social values of the world.
Although living out God’s unconditional mercy, charity, and generosity each day is difficult, we can at least make the effort.
I wanted to update all of you that I have been appointed as Vicar Forane (known as Dean) of the Central Deanery by our Bishop Emilio. There is a total of 23 parishes under this Deanery. When the Bishop wants to consult on the matters of administration or pastoral plans, he would include me as Dean to take my counsel and thus I become a member of the College of Consultors to the Bishop. Please keep me in your prayers that I may serve our Bishop and the faith community worthily.
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
- Reading 1: Isaiah 55:6-9
- Reading 2: Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a
- Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a
