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Daily Readings for:October 05, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Almighty ever-living God, who in the abundance of your kindness surpass the merits and the desires of those who entreat you, pour out your mercy upon us to pardon what conscience dreads and to give what prayer does not dare to ask. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o Granny Smith Apple Cobbler

o Summer Squash with Onions

o Sunday Chicken Casserole

o Tender Dinner Knots

ACTIVITIES

o Parents are the First Teachers

PRAYERS

o Married Couple's Prayer to the Sacred Heart

o Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Ordinary Time (2nd Plan)

LIBRARY

o Christian Marriage: a Covenant of Love and Life | Cardinal Bernard Law

o The Vocation of Marriage in God's Plan | Cardinal J. Francis Stafford D.D.

· Ordinary Time: October 5th

· Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

Old Calendar: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit" (Mt 21:42-43).

The feast of St. Faustina, which is ordinarily celebrated today, is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 5:1-7. Under the image of a wine-grower who had done everything he could to make his vineyard fertile and productive, the prophet describes God's care for and interest in his Chosen People.

The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians 4:6-9. St. Paul is encouraging his converts to put their full trust in God.

The Gospel is from Matthew 21:33-43. There are two leading thoughts that come to the mind of any true believer on hearing this parable: the infinite goodness, patience and mercy of God in His dealings with mankind, and the unsounded depths of wickedness and ingratitude to which men can sink. To His Chosen People of the Old Testament, God had given a fertile and fully-equipped vineyard — His revelation, His protection, a homeland of their own in Canaan, and all this in order to prepare them for the future Messiah, who would bring them an eternal home in God's own Kingdom. All He asked in return was their cooperation.

But they had other plans; they wanted their kingdom on earth. Yet God was patient with them; again and again He pardoned their infidelities. He sent them prophet after prophet to recall them to their senses, but they maltreated these messengers of God and refused to heed their warnings.

Then "the fullness of time" came and He sent His divine Son on earth in human form. He took His human nature from one of their race, lived among them and preached His gospel of love and peace to them. He tried to soften their hard hearts, and made them the final offer of the Father's mercy and pardon. But instead of accepting God's offer of mercy the chief priests and elders only made it an occasion of an even greater sin. To their crimes of infidelity and injustice they added the murder of God's Messiah and Son.

In God's plan of love and mercy the tragedy of Calvary turned out to be the great "triumph of failure." That death brought life to the world and opened the gates of God's eternal kingdom for all nations and races. The Gentiles rallied around the standard of Christ. A new vineyard was set up in which all men could work for their Father in heaven and for their own eternal interests.

We Christians today are the successors of the first Gentile followers of Christ. We too have been called to work in God's vineyard. Are we working honestly and devotedly? Are we producing the grapes and the wine that our divine Master expects of us? If our answer is "yes, I am living a true Christian life, I am working for God's honor and glory and for my own eternal salvation," then we can say a heartfelt "thank you" to our merciful Father, and ask him to keep us ever on this right path. But if our answer is "no," then let us pay heed to today's lesson. What happened to the chief priests and elders can and will happen to unfaithful Christians if they persevere in their infidelity and disobedience. But we can still put ourselves right with God. Let us do it today — tomorrow may be too late.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Philippians 4:6-9

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

When you begin taking piano lessons, you begin by finding middle C. Then you learn how to read the notes on a page and how each note corresponds to a key on the piano. Then you learn how to look at the music and pay attention to your fingers at the same time.

But as you practice, something remarkable happens. You learn how to play by instinct. You don$B!G(Jt have to keep looking down at the keyboard because your fingers know where to go. You even get to the point of playing without any sheet music because you have memorized everything!

This is how St. Paul teaches us in today$B!G(Js second reading. He describes a way of life that is based on faith in Christ and openness to the Holy Spirit, and he gives us a step-by-step way of living it out. He tells us, $B!H(JWhatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious $B!D(J think about these things$B!I(J (Philippians 4:8).

As a master builder, Paul$B!G(Js teaching method is like the piano teacher$B!G(Js. First, you set out your plan for how you will think, just as a piano student learns the keys. Then, you try your best to carry out that plan, just as a piano student practices a song over and over. And finally, as you do, virtues like purity, truthfulness, justice, and charity become your natural way of acting. You won$B!G(Jt need to think about them as much because practice has made them a part of who you are.

So make a plan. Every day think about how you can be more generous to your spouse or more forgiving to a co-worker. Think about how you can live a more honorable life—free from deceit, manipulation, and moodiness. Think about these things, then try your best to live them out. Jesus will bless your efforts. Eventually, you won$B!G(Jt have to think about them anymore. You$B!G(Jll be doing them!

$B!H(JHoly Spirit, teach me how to take on the character of Christ.$B!I(J

Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20; Matthew 21:33-43

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:9,12-16,19-20; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43)

1. In the first reading, the Lord reminds us of how much he has cared for his people, and how he longs for us to bear fruit in our lives. The Lord also invites us to $B!H(Jjudge$B!I(J the fruits of our life and determine what needs to be done to bear more fruit. What areas in your life (is there at least one) do you believe the Lord wants you to focus on to bear more fruit? How will you do this?

2. The responsorial psalm continues the metaphor of the vineyard and the vine and the psalmist prays that the Lord would restore his vineyard and give it new life. As $B!H(Jtemples of the Holy Spirit$B!I(J (1 Corinthians 6:19) and $B!H(Jliving sacrifices$B!I(J (Romans 12:1), perhaps, the Lord is inviting us to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to continue this restoration process? How important is this wonderful sacrament of God$B!G(Js forgiveness and mercy in your life?

3. After having been asked to consider our lives and its fruit, the second reading reminds us that the grace and power to bear more fruit comes from God. The reading begins by telling us not to be anxious and that, if we pray and petition the Lord, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. What are the areas in life where you long for more of God$B!G(Js peace? How can you more fully integrate prayers and petitions to God for this peace as part of your personal times of prayer?

4. In the Gospel, Jesus repeats the story of the vineyard. All the readings are asking us to take very seriously the question of bearing fruit for the Lord, and not just for ourselves. What are the sacrifices the Lord may be asking you to make to be more fruitful in your life for him? What are you willing to do as a disciple of Christ to help your parish be a (Jmore productive and fruitful vineyard?(J

5. Jesus also expands on the Gospel story by telling us just how far the landowner (God) will go to help the vines produce: he even sends his own son to die! How often during an average day do you turn to the Lord to reflect on his great love and mercy, and what he has done so that you could have eternal life with him? How often should you? What are the obstacles that keep you from doing this? What steps can you take to make the Lord a greater part of your day?

6. The meditation encourages us to make a plan each day to respond to the words in the second reading (Philippians 6:8-9), that is, to $B!H(Jthink about$B!I(J those things that are $B!H(Jtrue,$B!I(J $B!H(Jhonourable,$B!I(J $B!H(Jjust,$B!I(J $B!H(Jpure,$B!I(J $B!H(Jpleasing,$B!I(J $B!H(Jcommendable,$B!I(J and anything that is of $B!H(Jexcellence$B!I(J and $B!H(Jworthy of praise.$B!I(J Here is the suggested plan: $B!H(JEvery day think about how you can be more generous to your spouse or more forgiving to a co-worker. Think about how you can live a more honorable life$B!>(Jfree from deceit, manipulation, and moodiness. Think about these things, then try your best to live them out. Jesus will bless your efforts.$B!I(J What do you think will be the fruit of doing such a plan each day? Are you willing to experiment with doing this each day? If not why not?

7. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for the grace to take on his character. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.