From His Word to Our Hearts

In this week’s parable, Jesus is still trying to reach the chief priests, but they still don’t understand. Jesus’ words echo Isaiah’s love song for God’s vineyard, but the chief priests don’t make the connection. Even the Psalm tells the Jewish religious authorities that they are the vine planted in God’s vineyard, but that God is unhappy with the fruit they produce, and he withdraws his protection from them. We cannot sit back and think Jesus speaks only to others in this parable, however, because we sometimes reject God’s servants… we mistreat God’s messengers… and we, too, will be judged for our wicked behavior. Paul reminds us, though, that it is never too late to repent. That we should have no fear or anxiety but turn everything over to God who loves us. So, let’s repent while we can and focus our attention on all the good God gives us! This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 21: 33-431st Reading – Isaiah 5: 1-7Psalm 802nd Reading – Philippians 4: 6-9 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:34) - Gospel (Matthew 21) & Explanation(00:18:00) - First Reading (Isaiah 5) & Explanation(00:29:32) - Psalm 80 & Explanation(00:36:54) - Second Reading (Philippians 4) & Explanation(00:45:08) - Closing & Credits

This week Jesus tells another parable to challenge the chief priests in the temple; to teach them that they are being dishonorable and unjust, but they don’t understand his message. Through Ezekiel, God told the house of Israel that even an honorable man will die for his sins, but that a wicked man will live if he repents. Paul reminds us that though Jesus was honorable and just, he emptied himself for us, he humbled himself for us, he died – on the Cross – for us. Perhaps we should examine our own lives, our actions, our motives, to see whether we are honorable and just… or not; to see if we are repentant… or not. There’s still time to turn away from selfishness, to be humble, to repent, to be obedient. So, what are we waiting for? This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 21: 28-321st Reading – Ezekiel 18: 25-28Psalm 252nd Reading – Philippians 2: 1-11 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:20) - Gospel (Matthew 21) & Explanation(00:11:51) - First Reading (Ezekiel 18) & Explanation(00:21:23) - Psalm 25 & Explanation(00:24:29) - Second Reading (Philippians 2) & Explanation(00:43:21) - Closing & Credits

This week Jesus tells the parable of a man who hires laborers to work in his vineyard, going out not just in the morning but throughout the day, paying a full day’s wage regardless of how long each worked because the man is both generous and fair. Isaiah reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways – that God is both generous and fair, even when we don’t deserve it. Paul tells us that the whatever we do, we should always live in a manner worthy of Jesus. God calls us to be laborers in his vineyard, to do his will in the world, to share his love with others. But we don’t always respond… not the first time, or even the tenth. God never gives up on us, however, and when we do finally respond, when we finally agree to be laborers in God’s vineyard… our wages are pretty amazing - eternity with God. Now that’s what I call a salary! This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 20: 1-161st Reading – Isaiah 55: 6-9Psalm 1452nd Reading – Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:24) - Gospel (Matthew 20) & Explanation(00:22:29) - First Reading (Isaiah 55) & Explanation(00:29:48) - Psalm 145 & Explanation(00:33:06) - Second Reading (Philippians 1) & Explanation(00:41:57) - Closing & Credits

Peter thinks he is quite generous when he asks if he should forgive seven times. Jesus says that’s not nearly enough, that there should be no limit on forgiveness… not if we want God to forgive us! If we forgive others, Sirach assures us that our sins will be pardoned and that every decision we make should be with God’s judgement in mind. However, we know that God is merciful and that he does not punish us as we deserve. God’s goodness, his mercy, his compassion, his love should remind us that whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. The old adage: to err is human is a cliché because it is so very true. Unfortunately, we often forget the other half: to forgive, divine. That doesn’t mean that only God can forgive but that God shows us how to forgive. So, let’s forgive everyone, because such forgiveness is uplifting, marvelous, wonderful… divine! This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 18: 21-351st Reading – Sirach 27:30 – 28:7Psalm 1032nd Reading – Romans 14: 7-9 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:02:59) - Matthew 18 & Explanation(00:25:32) - Sirach 27-28 & Explanation(00:37:46) - Psalm 103 & Explanation(00:40:59) - Romans 14 & Explanation(00:49:25) - Closing & Credits

This week’s readings are all about correction, reconciliation, and love. Through Ezekiel, God tells us that it is our responsibility to correct someone if they are doing something that God has declared to be evil or wrong. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us precisely how we are to go about doing that! We should start privately and gently, if that works – then we are reconciled which is great! If that doesn’t work, Jesus tells us what our next steps should be. Through it all, Paul assures us that love should be at the heart of everything we do. But the temptation to judge others is always lurking in the depths of every human nature. So, how do we resist that? How do we correct others lovingly without doing wrong to anyone? This week's readings:Gospel – Matthew 18: 15-201st Reading – Ezekiel 33: 7-9Psalm 952nd Reading – Romans 13: 8-10 Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction & Prayer(00:03:08) - Matthew 18 & Explanation(00:20:02) - Ezekiel 33 & Explanation(00:33:59) - Psalm 95 & Explanation(00:37:40) - Romans 13 & Explanation(00:48:54) - Closing & Credits