DAILY- HOMILY

OCTOBER 2, 2011
27TH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME – A

Is 5:1-7 / Ps 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20 / Phil 4:6-9 / Mt 21:33-43

ISAIAH 5:1-7
Let me sing for my beloved the love song of my beloved about his
vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it
up, cleared the stones, and planted the choicest vines. He built there
a watchtower and hewed out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a
crop of good grapes, but it yielded only wild grapes. Now, inhabitants
of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.
What more was there to do that I have not done for my vineyard? Good
grapes was the yield I expected, why did it yield only sour grapes?
Now I will let you know what I am going to do with my vineyard: I will
remove its hedge and it will be burned; I will break down its wall and
it will be trampled on. I will make it a wasteland, I will neither
prune nor hoe it, and briers and thorns will grow there. I command the
clouds, as well, not to send rain on it. The vineyard of Yahweh
Sabaoth is the people of Israel, and the people of Judah are his
pleasant vine. He looked for justice, but found bloodshed; He looked
for righteousness but heard cries of distress.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9
Brothers and sisters, do not be anxious about anything. In everything
resort to prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving and bring
your requests before God. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will keep your hear ts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with whatever is
truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble. Be mindful of whatever
deserves praise and admiration. Put into practice what you have
learned from me, what I passed on to you, what you heard from me or
saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

MATTHEW 21:33-43
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders, "There was a landowner who
planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a hole for the
winepress, built a watchtower, leased the vineyard to tenants and then
went to a distant country. When harvest time came, the landowner sent
his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the harvest. But
the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another and stoned
another. "Again the owner sent more servants, but they were treated in
the same way. "Finally, he sent his son, thinking: `They will respect
my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they thought: `This is the
one who is to inherit the vineyard. Let us kill him and his
inheritance will be ours.' So they seized him, threw him out of the
vineyard and killed him. "Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do
with the tenants when he comes?" They said to him, "He will bring
those evil to an evil end, and lease the vineyard to others who will
pay him in due time." And Jesus replied, "Have you never read what the
Scriptures say? The stone which the builders rejected has become the
cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; and we marvel at it. Therefore
I say to you: the kingdom of heaven will be taken from you and given
to a people who will yield a harvest.

REFLECTION

The Gospel reading clearly presents a God who never gives up. God sent
prophets as well as his beloved son Jesus for our salvation. And
today, God continues to send people of goodwill to make a difference
in our lives. There is no truth to the familiar and popular song that
God is watching us from a distance. God continues to be present and
involved with the sending of people to make us aware of the reality
that God never abandons His people.

Yet the unfortunate reality is that in spite of the in breaking of God
in our lives, it cannot be denied that we, too, can behave like the
tenants in the vineyard. Criticisms and intrigues brought about by
envy or insecurity are readily hurled on the wonderful efforts being
expended to make life bet ter. We have unfortunately fallen into the
same trap as the people in the parable. We have killed these disciples
who are there to remind us of God's desire to harvest. Look at the
martyrs in our time. The one that comes to my mind is Archbishop Oscar
Romero and how he was silenced as he spoke against the abuses of the
rich and powerful! How about those people who in their silent and
inconspicuous ways try to make a difference in people's lives by
sponsoring scholarships so as to give bright yet financially lacking
students to improve their situations in life. Are they given special
mention or are these considered headline news? How about various
issues that break down our relationship with one another and with God
in our daily lives? How has God intervened in such circumstances? Have
we welcomed such interventions? Or like the tenants in the parable, do
we remain hindrances to measures of reconciliation?

We cannot imbibe what is presented in the second reading if this is
taken in the wrong sense. As stated, have no anxiety at all which may
be equated as if we are told not to worry. Instead the challenge is to
be a people of peace. Sad to say, to be a person of peace may mean
that we can be indifferent. Instead, Paul encourages them to be
proactive – to think and do what is true, honorable, and just.

Can we follow God who does not easily give up? Or are we the
hindrances to allowing God to come more fully and be more present in
our lives?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of:
- Jo Marcelo
- Wally Torres
- Mon Torres
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Elizabeth Mah
- Peter Lim
- Marge, Linda O, Mary Ann, Delores, Maureen, Kristen, Frank, Eugene
R, John C, Betty B
… for the personal intentions of
- Mary Wong
- Glenn and Julie Manzon, Glenda and Joel Bisco, Marichu and Churchill
Barayoga, Estelita and Salvador Escamilla, Mary Castro, Domingo Jr and
Edralyn Barayoga, Ma. Fe and Florante De Castro, John Dale and Glenn
Dale Manzon, Marites Pinon, Jocelyn and Noli Caparida, Jeremy & Edwin
Victorino, Imelda and Edwin Bacolod, Melinda Sarmiento, Emmanuel and
Melinda Dabay
- Meghan & Dana
… In thanksgiving: Barayoga Family, Manzon Family
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Lamberto V. Villacorta Sr.
Eternal rest grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May he and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Ishrael B. Garcia
- Birthday: Annie T. Alipao
- Birthday: Techi Allado
- Birthday: Crisostomo F. Bate
- Wedding Anniversary: Mario & Inday Nery
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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