October 1, 2023
Today, we celebrate the first Sunday in October 2023 and the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. These past few weekends, we have heard some timely and challenging readings from Matthew’s Gospel. Last weekend, as the landowner in the parable freely gave each of his workers a full daily wage no matter what time they began work, we realized that we have been given an abundance of gifts from God – even though we were among the last called. This weekend brings us the parable of the two sons. This story challenges the complacent, those who presume that things are good enough between themselves and God, to examine the integrity of their discipleship. To the father’s invitation to go out and work in the vineyard, the first son replies, “I don’t want to,” but later changes his mind and goes. The second son agrees to go work but carries on with his usual routine. The parable reinforces Jesus’ insistence that words alone do not prove that one is his disciple. They must be accompanied by action. We have to walk the walk. We are given a challenging invitation to say “yes” to God’s plan for us and then follow through on our “yes.”
We are impatient, anxious to see the whole picture, but God lets us see things slowly, quietly
Pope Francis
Today, we celebrate the first Sunday in October 2023 and the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. These past few weekends, we have heard some timely and challenging readings from Matthew’s Gospel. Last weekend, as the landowner in the parable freely gave each of his workers a full daily wage no matter what time they began work, we realized that we have been given an abundance of gifts from God – even though we were among the last called. This weekend brings us the parable of the two sons. This story challenges the complacent, those who presume that things are good enough between themselves and God, to examine the integrity of their discipleship. To the father’s invitation to go out and work in the vineyard, the first son replies, “I don’t want to,” but later changes his mind and goes. The second son agrees to go work but carries on with his usual routine. The parable reinforces Jesus’ insistence that words alone do not prove that one is his disciple. They must be accompanied by action. We have to walk the walk. We are given a challenging invitation to say “yes” to God’s plan for us and then follow through on our “yes.”
Fifty years ago, the Catholic bishops in the United States designated October as Respect Life Month. Throughout October, Catholics are called in a special way to reflect on the gift of human life, the threats against it, and how we can protect all persons from conception through natural death. This year’s theme, “Walking with Moms in Need,” is particularly suited for the times in which we live. Our pro-life position is often inaccurately portrayed as being merely anti-abortion, not caring about women and their children past the time of birth. Many among us are completely unaware of the countless ministries and agencies in the Church that support women, children, and their families throughout each of the different stages of life. Our witness to the Gospel of Life is a witness of compassion, support and understanding – from conception through natural death.
We are all called to fully participate in the culture of life for which Jesus lived and died. Through his teachings and the way in which he lived, Jesus taught us that every person has a dignity that comes directly from God. Our human dignity is not based on what we possess, but on who we are as God’s adopted sons and daughters.
Our culture does not believe that human life is sacred from the moment of conception through natural death. Too many events have become commonplace – senseless shootings in our major cities, innocent life taken by terrorists, killings based on ethnic and religious differences, executions sanctioned by the state, and abortion facilities in our backyard. We can take the first step by making the personal choice to uphold and really witness to the sanctity and dignity of every human life. We offer our prayers throughout this Respect Life month that our Catholic Christian values promoting a culture of life continue to influence everything that we do in our society and throughout the world.
We are partnering again this year with the Northern Illinois Food Bank in providing Thanksgiving Dinner food baskets for those in need among us. Your $25 donation will provide a Thanksgiving Dinner basket for a family. We need to place our order with the Northern Illinois Food Bank by mid-October. Donations can be made via envelopes at our Masses over the next few weeks, online or at the parish office. Thank you in advance for your care for those in need among us.
Cooler temperatures are coming our way as the autumn season settles upon us. Let’s make it a point to notice the beauty of this season – it is the Lord’s gift to us in this present moment. Many things are now happening at our parish. Please check elsewhere in our bulletin for additional news. May God continue to bless us with all that we need, and more.
-Father Jim Murphy