In the 1st reading, Isaiah says that the Lord has chosen and made Israel His vineyard. The Lord has chosen property on a fertile hillside and converted it into a vineyard. But the Lord was disappointed because the vineyard produced wild grapes and did not bear the desired fruits.

During the last days of the Lord in Jerusalem, Matthews narrated three (3) parables about the guilt of Israel: (1) Parable of the Two Sons (Mt. 21:2832), (2) Parable of the Tenant (Mt. 21: 3345), (3) Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Mt. 22:114). The parable today was about the tenants of the vineyard who refused to hand over the fruits. Thus, the landowner turned it over to another tenant. In the same way, the Jewish leadership turned over to the Apostles and the Synagogue to the Church.

In the 1st reading, Israel knew that they have a corporate responsibility, as the chosen people, to set a good example to other nations. But with their national institution “Temple” destroyed, their corporate responsibility was in question, a renewed emphasis on “individual responsibility” came into focus. Ezekiel stressed “individual responsibility,” children are not punished for the sins of their parents, but their own. Anyone is free to have a change of heart, from his wickedness to righteousness. We are judged by our new life and not by our sins of the past.

Phil. 2:111 was an exhortation to harmony, in two ways. Negatively, by giving up rivalry and conceit. Positively, through humility, acknowledging that most of the time others are superior to us, in their charity, putting the other first than oneself.

The last chapter of the book of the prophet Isaiah outlines all the spiritual blessings brought about by the new covenant. 1.) All are invited to the new covenant. In the image of abundance of food and drink, freely offered to the hungry and the thirsty. 2.) To attain this, there is a need for Israel to mend their ways, a need for conversion. 3.) The last two verses announced the new exodus, “In joy you shall depart.”

The 2nd reading from Phil. 1:2027 has an independent theme, Paul says, to live is to be with Christ. Because we have all been incorporated to His death and resurrection through our baptism. By virtue of his Apostolic mission, to follow Christ is attaining the enjoyment of the mystical communion between Christ and us. Jesus narrated the parable in the Gospel today: 1.) To answer His opponents who are criticizing Him for favoring the outcast than the respected members of society. 2.) Because there exists an oral tradition that says: “The last shall be first and the first shall be last.” Jesus noticed that the gentiles are being drawn to the church, while the people of Israel are rejecting His message. 3.) Taking off from the previous chapter, 19:30 “Many who are first shall come last, and the last shall come first.” In a reverse order, 20:16 Those who left everything for the sake of the Kingdom can still be last if they persist of looking for a reward and demand it.

Sirach or Ecclesiasticus is one of the 7 books recognized by Catholics as inspired and canonical, called Deuterocanonical book, Protestants call it Apocryphal. The book contains the wisdom and experience of the people. The book is divided into three parts. The 1st Part talks about the concept and the use of wisdom. The 2nd Part includes sayings on wisdom as regard its ethical influence on human life, and the higher level of relationship with God. The last or 3rd part is about the praise of the Father of Old from Adam… Sirach 27 contains the admonition about anger, vengeance and forgiveness, which toe the line of the 2nd part of the book, concerning the ethical standards set in the Old Testament.

The independent theme of the second reading is a continuation of the Moral part of Rom. 1214. We are all one, living our divine life with the Lord Jesus Christ. By virtue of our baptism, we are called to live His life, the Paschal Mystery, His life, death, and resurrection. We profess that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and we live to serve the mission He entrusted to us.

The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday speaks of “fraternal correction.” That is, winning our brothers and sisters back to the Lord. The prophet Ezekiel was one of those who had been brought captive to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem in the year 597 BC. The Jews hoped for a quick turnaround from their captivity. Ezekiel constantly reminded them to mend their ways, to drop their superstitious belief of the protective power of the TEMPLE, moral change was necessary. He warned them to wake up and mend their evils ways, but at the same time encouraged them not to despair because God will restore Israel in time.

The prophet Jeremiah had a timid and introspective disposition, yet God had chosen this wonderful prophet; “I place my words into your mouth!” says the Lord. Jeremiah led a lonely life, he never married, and was avoided by friends, priests and relatives because of his being a prophet and his mission. He was not a very popular prophet of his time, because nobody wants to be blamed for their sins. Jeremiah carried many crosses, he was arrested, put in jail, in an empty cistern and constantly had fear for his life. In spite of the many hardships, he continued to preach the word of God, and preached the truth.

Paul was the greatest missionary to the gentiles, he visited as many places or communities as he could, each place is different, this was the cross of Paul. He literally had to know more about every community he established to be an effective preacher to them. In Rome, he tells his readers that Christian life is our confirmation and pronouncement of what we believe. That is why Christians consecrate their bodies and their whole being to God.

After removing Shebna from his position of authority, the Lord chose Eliakim and was given the keys to the palace of King Hezekiah and made Prime Minister or vizier. A vizier is the 2nd in authority after the king. Like the Egyptian vizier, a Jewish vizier was the master of the palace and the highest official in the Jewish Kingdom next only to the king. He is entrusted with the key to the palace, he controlled those who enter and leave the place. Alluding to Mt. 16:19, Peter implicitly is like the ancient Jewish vizier given the keys of the Kingdom of God, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Peter is the rock, on which the church is built and to whom the key to gates of the Kingdom is given, he has the power to bind or to loosen, or has the power of who will be admitted or denied entrance to the Kingdom of God.

The readings this Sunday present three different kinds of encounter with God. Elijah meets the Lord in Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God. Paul in the letter to the Romans meets the Lord Jesus in his conscience. And the Apostle Peter, his boldness strikes again meets Him walking on the waters. Three different people, three different encounters, as we ponder on these, let us examine our own personal encounter with God, an experience into the presence of the living God.

Man, by nature is created with an inner longing for the divine, for God. St. Augustine says, man was created by God with a vacuum or a void in the heart. Because of this man seeks to fill this vacuum, a longing that only God can fill. But God is awesome wonder, power and majesty that surpasses human quantity and quality; it is said that even a glimpse of Him will be too overwhelming for us. In the presence of God, man experiences a combination of attraction and fear. Yet, it is good to be with God. There is nothing and no one better in life than God. And His goodness is more than we can bear. “But you cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live.” (Ex. 33:20) At Mt. Tabor, during the Transfiguration of the Lord, Elijah was one of the witnesses of Jesus’ glory, long before he had a mysterious encounter with God on Mt. Horeb. Elijah was expecting a spectacular phenomenon will happen, how will God manifest Himself? Sometimes we expect God to come down with power and majesty and solve all the problems of the world. Elijah’s encounter with the Lord was a profound revelation of how God makes Himself known. He makes Himself known to Elijah in “a tiny whispering sound.” But still God is present, speaking quietly and intimately with him. Immediately, Elijah hides his face, no one is worthy to meet God face to face and live. He simply goes to stand in the presence of God’s whispering sound, and listens to the message of God.

Brothers and Sisters,

When I set foot at St. Rose Parish three years ago and met parishioners, my impression was that this is such an amazing Parish. The Parish community was very welcoming and supportive. I did not find it hard to adjust, thinking of the proverbial phrase FIRST IMPRESSION IS LASTING. The spirit of the community has captured my heart, which makes me say, if I had my choice I would not wish to be transferred. Things have changed and circumstances are beyond my control, many times to our dismay. There are reasons why things happen which God knows and allows, and we human beings cannot but wonder and ultimately submit to His will. My transfer to the Salt Lake City Diocese is Gods will and as a priest I am dutybound to follow it. Our life as priest is a total dedication and submission to God’s plan. We come and go according to God’s bidding.

The multiplication of bread is the only miracle story found in all the four Gospels. Here we see Jesus feeding five thousand out of five loaves and two fish. The people were so delighted, they have never seen anyone from among their leaders who can do such wonderful deed. Their hunger satisfied and their initial awe diminished, they soon forget what this event is all about. Jesus teaches us today to go beyond the surface level, to dig deep, reflect and learn the real meaning of the phenomenon at hand., and discover the real treasure of life, Jesus in the midst of His people. “What is essential is invisible to the eye... The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart."

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price are similar. While the Parable of the Dragnet on the other hand is similar to last Sunday’s parable of the Weeds and the Wheat. The first reading recalls to us the events about the dream of King Solomon, where the Lord asked the young King what he wants. King Solomon’s answer reveals so much of His character, what is most import for him, a wise and understanding heart. This he asked, so that he can serve the Lord well and the people of his kingdom. This Wisdom is the treasure of King Solomon’s heart, the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. In the same line, we are also asked what is of most value to us, what is the priority of our heart? What do we really want in life, what will give meaning to our life? Solomon could have asked for long life, power and riches beyond compare, because he did not ask for these, the Lord honors him for not allowing his heart to desire such worthless things. Like Solomon, we too can ask the Lord for Wisdom. If we are honest and sincere in our request, the Lord will surely not fail us. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mt. 7:7) The Lord wants us also to find our hidden treasure and our pearl of great price.

The parable of the weeds in the field presents the problem of bad seeds being sown in by an enemy. Again, the disciples did not understand the meaning of the parable, so they asked Jesus. Jesus is the farmer of the field sowing good seed in the field of the world. The devil is the enemy that sowed bad seeds. The good seeds are the those who follow the path of the Kingdom of God, the bad seeds are the people who follow the evil one. The good and the wicked people are allowed to live in the world until the end of time, the harvest time when the final sorting will be done. The wicked are condemned to Gehenna and the good, the saints “will shine like the sun in the Father’s kingdom.”

Why did Jesus not speak plainly and instead speak to them in parables? When He was in trial before the Sanhedrin, many of them have this question in their hearts, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” Jesus answers them saying: “If I tell you… you will not believe, ands if I question, you will not respond.” (Lk. 22:67-68) The real problem is not in His language, maybe He is already speaking plainly, but we are not listening. It is in the way the listener receives the Words of Jesus. The Gospel today, addresses this question: Why are we not in a better disposition to listen and accept Jesus’ Words? The problem is not in the plain language, but on the part of the receiver of the message, in the reception of the Word.