Fr. Bob’s Weekly Reflections

It’s the first Sunday in Advent. But no one really celebrates it anymore. The season has been swallowed by commercial Christmas. We come to church and note the purple vestments and sing Advent hymns. But we forget about it as soon as we step outside the church.

Today’s Gospel tells us that most of the time, we get in trouble for doing nothing. I was hungry, and you gave me no food. I was thirsty, and you gave me no water.

A master was going on a journey. Before he left, he called in his servants. He gave each of them strange and extraordinary gifts.

When I think of today’s Gospel, I think of a great story about St. Charles Borromeo. He was playing cards one day with a small group of his friends, when the subject of death and dying came up. “What would you do if you knew you were near death?”

We hear some strange words from Jesus in today’s Gospel. “Whoever exalts themself shall be humbled. But whoever humbles themself shall be exalted.”

Today we see Jesus surrounded by Pharisees. The situation is similar to a group of reporters hounding a political candidate; everyone shouting questions. Then a lawyer comes forward.

The past few weeks, Jesus has told us parables. Listeners see Jesus on the attack. In our Gospel today, the Pharisees have had enough. They plan a counterattack.

Many years ago, I was asked by our Friars in Kingston, Jamaica to give a youth retreat. Many think of Jamaica as an island of wonderful beaches and great hotels.

We have a great deal of talk about vineyards today, in both the Old and New Testament. Our first reading begins on a happy note. It tells of a man who has a vineyard.

Many parents can identify with the Gospel today. Jesus is not speaking about wayward children. He is speaking about the Chief Priests and the Elders.