Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but EMPTIED himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness." We have all heard the scripture "For God so loved the world that he gave..." the scripture continues "his only Son so that anyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." The verse shows us the obvious, God did not give only 10% of his love, but all of his love. For his Son was worth much more than money can measure. He in essence EMPTIED, or bankrupted, heaven to provide a means to end suffering and damnation for us. Jesus is in the temple among the people when he poses a scenario and a question. Jesus describes a man that has two sons that he asks to work in the vineyard for him. One son says no and he later changed his mind and decided to work for his father. The other son says yes he will do the work and did not end up doing any of it. Jesus asks the crowd, "Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus goes on to tell them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him." Unfortunately, we all do things we don't mean to do. We even do things that are mean spirited as we are human. Thankfully the same God that knows our thoughts and hearts decided he would still love us. The same God that did not have to give us a way to redeem ourselves, or give us life eternal for that matter, decided to bankrupt heaven for us. We are all like children. Sometimes we are asked to do something and we will agree to it, and fall short. Likewise sometimes we will say no, and intentionally let others down. Our focus should clearly be geared toward being a place of welcome. We should do this at St. Paul, but also in our daily lives. We ought to work diligently to let the love of Christ lead us. We want to accept the blessings and challenges of working together for the greater good of the Father. In the words of Mother Teresa we should love and serve others as "Each one of them is Jesus in disguise." We should be true to our baptismal covenant in which we are called to, "seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves." Amen.

***Pray especially for: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicki Fagiana, David Garber and family, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Camden Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler.

Collect:
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Exekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 25:1-8, 2nd Reading Philippians 2:1-13, Gospel Matthew 21:23-32)

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sometimes things just don't seem fair. There was a company that was hiring for a Morse code translator with a handsome salary that was conducting interviews. Due to the nature of the work and the compensation there were several applicants that arrived early to fill out their applications and wait for an interview. One gentleman walked in and didn't even complete the application and stood up and shouted at the secretary I must see the hiring manager immediately. The gentleman was taken to the hiring manager and the receptionist came back and said, "the interviews are over the position has been filled." There were many that didn't even get a chance to do go through the interview process. There was an applicant that stayed behind and told the receptionist, "this hardly seems fair." The receptionist proceeded to tell him how there was a telegraph machine behind her that gave the same message over and over. She advised the applicant in Morse code the machine said, "if you are hearing this message ask for the hiring manager and the job is yours for the taking." This is how the guy that came in after everyone obtained the position. The Holy Gospel today reflects on a similar scenario. In today's Gospel account there were laborers that worked in the field all day and were paid their fair wage. There were likewise a group of individuals that came in to work for an hour or so that received the same wage for almost no labor. One of the laborers that had arrived early in the day became quite upset. He told the landowner how unfair he felt it was that he paid everyone the same wage regardless of how much work was actually performed. The landowner told the laborer it was none of his business and that he should take what he is given and go on since that is what was negotiated as a fair wage for the work. We hear a theme also known in Luke's Gospel that says, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Father Swann reminds us that in this scenario it is about us trying to make what we feel should be the "pecking order" of God's love. The truth is that God is not fair. Instead God is merciful. If God was fair we would all be in trouble since we couldn't make a sacrifice worthy of his love. However, he loved us so much that he showed mercy on all that would believe in Him. Thank you God for being merciful instead of being fair. Praise God. Amen.

***Pray especially for: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicki Fagiana, David Garber and family, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Camden Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler

Collect:

GRANT US, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Jonah 3:10-4:11, Psalm 145:1-8, 2nd Reading Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16)

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Sun. Sept 11, 2011)

A father had several restaurants that he owned and decided he would retire. He gave a restaurant to each of his sons. One of his children decided he didn't want to be in this type of industry so he decided to sale his restaurant and move to the big city. The son told the father what he had decided to do. In anger the father uttered, "if you do this I am done with you; you may as well forget you are my child." The son did as he set out to do by selling off the business and buying an apartment and a nice vehicle. One year passed and over time the son had to sell his vehicle. Later that year the son had to sell his home and soon the money ran out completely. The son was lonely and homeless with nowhere to turn. He decided the best thing he can do would be to beg for his father's mercy. The son went to his father and begged and pleaded for his help and for his forgiveness. The father lovingly welcomed his son back home and all discord was forgiven. This is the basic storyline of the prodigal son. Jesus came so that we might have this same relationship with our heavenly Father having been reconciled through Him. God is all knowing and all wise, but still loves us unconditionally. What would we do if we did not have our sin debt paid for? God calls us to do our best and he will sort out the rest. You that are broken trust in Christ. You that are weary trust in Christ. The Holy Gospel reflects a captive that was shown mercy, but when he was placed in the position to show mercy he had none. We should strive to show mercy and compassion. Our Lord commands us to continually forgive. Jesus came to show God's love and compassion toward us. Take time to reflect and think to yourself how awesome it is that you are a child of the very same God that hung the moon and stars. May we love one another the way Christ would choose. May we help our brothers and sisters that struggle to find the light of Christ in our love and in our midst. Amen.

***Remember in prayer especially: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicki Fagiana, David Garber and family, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Camden Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler.

Collect:

O GOD, because without you we are not able to please you mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Genesis 50-15-21, Psalm 103: 8-13, 2nd Reading Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35)

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

"If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone." Jesus tells us the most simple way to avoid conflict is to resolve it between you and the other individual. Christ goes on to tell us that if the individual doesn't listen to the church that person is to you like a "Gentile and a tax collector." Anytime there are people that gather there will be conflict. Someone will feel left out or mistreated and every attempt should be made to make them feel welcome. It is extremely easy to go along with the crowd, or to only associate with the individuals that are most like ourselves. However, Christ would have us do just the opposite. Jesus says, "where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Is church not a place that we gather together to seek to worship in Spirit and in truth? St. Paul has embarked on an odyssey to really help the greater community with the resources we are able to provide. Perhaps this mission allows us to gather together in our bond of community to have Christ among us. After all, is Christ not the reason we celebrate every Sunday? Ask yourself what you can do to have others feel welcome. Christ says, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Our Lord advised us "for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law; love your neighbor as yourself; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." May St. Paul be a place where we love our neighbor as ourselves. I hope we all find comfort and community with one another. God help us to always be ready to receive others with open arms. Amen.

**Remember prayer for healing especially concerning: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicki Fagiana, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Darren Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler.**

Collect:
GRANT US, O LORD, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Ezekiel 33:7-11, Psalm 119:33-40, 2nd Reading Romans 13:8-14, Holy Gospel Matthew 18:15-20)