Current Homily Series
Parables are picture stories that use images that would easily be understood by those who heard the parable. Parables were a common teaching tool at the time of Jesus. So, when Jesus used parables, he was telling stories in a way that was familiar to his audience.
Jesus used parables to talk about the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. The parables that he told were meant to create an emotional response or describe a moral requirement that his followers would need to demonstrate to be part of God’s kingdom.
Week 1
“God lavishes abundant grace
on everyone”
“Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out…to hire laborers for his vineyard.” This vineyard is a description or comparison to the kingdom of heaven. The workers hired first are the people who began following the Lord early in life, made sacrifices, and lived out their faith, all the time hoping their reward would be great. But what about the late comers, the people who worked the least? They are deserving of the grace, generosity, love, and mercy of the landowner, who I hope you have guessed by now is God. They are deserving, no matter what time they come to the vineyard (Jesus’ Kingdom).”
Matthew 20:1-16a
Week 2
“Actions speak louder
than words”
“The first son says no but does yes, the second son says yes but does no. The first son is to be commended over the second son because, as we might say, actions speak louder than words. Saying the right thing without doing the right thing counts for nothing. In other words, action is the true test of obedience. So, on that level the parable is easy to understand. But there is more to it than that. Jesus is, in fact, making a provocative statement about the failure of the religious leaders who are the very people challenging his authority.”
Matthew 21:28-32
Week 3
“Be selfless, not selfish”
“The parable of the Tenants teaches us about faithfulness and obedience, and it reminds us that God’s kingdom is not about being selfish but rather about being selfless. If we can’t meet that test, no matter how wealthy or popular or smart we are, “the Kingdom of God will be taken away and given to people who will produce its fruit.”
Just like every important relationship in our lives, our relationship with God requires time and attention. How would you describe your own spiritual life? Is it limited to going to Mass on Sunday or praying only when you need something? While those are part of building that relationship with God, it may not be enough. How about taking time every day to pray in thanksgiving for the blessings that God had showered upon you? How about showing gratitude for what you have by sharing your time and talents with others who may be in need?”
Matthew 21:33-43
Week 4
“Obedience to God’s Invitation”
“When we accept the invitation from God, heed the message of his servants, we respond with obedience to the will of the Father in heaven. To do so is to clothe ourselves with righteousness– the appropriate attire for the things to which we have been called by God. Those who do not do so, who refuse to do so, who fail to see how the two are connected (the invitation and attending to what’s required of us), are warned to not be caught off-guard at Judgment day.
The inappropriately dressed wedding guest could make no defense against the king’s query. His silence is meant to imply he knew better. It’s another connection to the themes of the previous parables: the fruit shows who have taken up the mantle of the call, who have made the changes that show they have accepted the invitation to obedience and are bearing the new identity of God’s chosen people in the world.”
Matthew 22:1-14
Week 5
“Repay to God what belongs to God”
“Jesus’ response sends the disciples of the Pharisees away, most likely amazed at what they had heard from Jesus. But there is a bigger question for you and me to consider here. We, you and me, are created in the image and likeness of God’s very self as written in the Book of Genesis. So, the Roman coin bore the image of Caesar but you and I bear the image of God!
So, what do we offer back to God as God’s image bearers? We can look to the parables of the previous weeks to find some answers. Remember the parable of the landowner who hired workers? God lavishes love upon all of us and that love invites us to love others in the same way. Then there was the parable about the man who had two sons and the lesson was that actions speak louder than words. How do your actions toward others help to bring about God’s kingdom in your family? In our parish?
Then we read the parable about the wicked tenants who were selfish and wanted to keep everything for themselves. But Jesus teaches us that we must be selfless, giving of ourselves to God and others if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the wedding feast reminds us that we are all invited by God to share in God’s kingdom. All we need to do is respond to God’s invitation by obeying the commandments to love God and neighbor.”