Category Archives: Scripture

The answer… or at least an answer

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This parable is about doing the will of God (v. 31). The question, “What is God’s will for my life?” is one that Christians often ask. However, answering that question with an unreflective “obeying God and working in the fields” too easily leads to an idea that one is able to work/earn one’s salvation. But then again, relying on faith alone can reduce action to a meaningless afterthought to one’s words. Continue reading →

The Parable Of The Two Sons

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  28 “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 30 The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did his father’s will?”  Continue reading →

Jesus’ authority challenged

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The texts leading up to and out of our gospel are replete with questions of authority. These events all occur in what we know as Holy Week and even though Jesus had triumphantly entered the City of David, Jesus had left Jerusalem for a brief stay in Bethany. He has now returned to the Temple area where, when he left the day before, the chief priests and scribes were angry with him (cleansing of the Temple, vv.12-17.) Given the deeds of the previous day, it seems only natural that the chief priests and the elders would ask about his credentials and question his authority. Continue reading →

Background of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah

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The first readings for the beginning of this week are taken from the Book of Ezra – a book that might not be familiar to you. Today’s post attempts to give you some background, content, and not overwhelm with arcane facts and details.  Here is the big picture: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah are two of the historical books of the Old Testament. They tell the story of the return of the Israelites from exile in Babylon and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Continue reading →

Caught in the Midst of Assumptions

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This coming Sunday is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The work day is over and now it is time to distribute the wages for all the workers. It is interesting that it is the “manager” or “steward” (epitropos), not the owner, who calls the workers and gives them their pay/reward (misthos). They are the ones who dispense what the owner considers right and just. They are also the ones who take the flak from those who disagree. I think we can all relate to being the one thrust into the middle of something not necessarily of our own making. Continue reading →

The Laborers

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This coming Sunday is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The landowner has “hired” (misthoomai) the workers (ergates), which implies an offer to pay (misthos) them for their work. In contrast, Mt 21:28 has a father telling his son, “Go and work (ergazomai) in the vineyard today,” which may not involve payment for work done. An agreement (symphoneo) is reached between the landowner and the first workers. “I will give you what is just.” (Mt 20:4) Continue reading →

The Parable of Workers in the Vineyard

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This coming Sunday is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is a well-known parable in which a landowner goes out to the village to find day laborers. He goes out several times to engage more workers. The parable never says he needed more production, in fact, the landowner’s initial intention is never stated. Nonetheless, more and more workers are added to the labor force. One might hear an echo of Matthew 9:37 – “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” Continue reading →