2nd October 2011 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) - Society of Children of Latin America

On this weeks programme, we catch up with the Society for Children of Latin America who update us on their fundraising activities in support of the work of the late Fr John Cribbin OMI in Brazil as well as their tribute to Fr John, our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel and a quick run through the sainst of the week and some local notices.

 

The weeks podcast is now available. 

Society for Children of Latin America (SCoLA)

Rachel Lenihan and Fr Richard Keane update us on their work and fundraising activities over the last year on behalf of the Society for Latin America especially their most recent endevour which was a parachute jump in aid of their fundraising activities. To date the skydive has raised €6,000 and funds are still coming in and which will continue the work begun by Fr Cribbin.

Rachel and Fr Richard also gave their tribute to the late Fr John Cribbin and his work in Rio de Janeiro.

Gospel - Matthew 21:33-43

This weeks gospel is one which needs to reflect and read on and to engage with in your imagination. There is great linkages across all the readinsg from this Sunday especially from the first reading which is taken from the prophet Isaiah.

One of the themes is the examination of the the relationship between God and the People of Israel demonstrated by the landowners looking after the vineyard with protection from the world in the Law (the hedge) and guidance provided to the Chosen People (and to us)

To bring the passage back to us and our own lives, if we stand into the story, which character are you in today's gospel? If we pose a few questions to ourselves what would your answer be?

Are we cooperating with the Lord's work in his vineyard - in our lives? Are we open to the message of the Lord be it through the Church or people who open moments in our lives to the Divine?

The gospel also reminds us that the Lord looks after his vineyard - we are never alone. While we may feel abandoned, it is at times like that we should turn to God and ask for his help. He will never abandon us and is always there waiting for us to turn to him in prayer.

Finally, if we stand in the place of the tenant, and we are questioned by the landowner who gave his vineyard over to us how would we be able to respond? We don't own our own lives, we don't own our world or our church. They come from, belong to and return to God and we are just stewards of our creation and our church. The gift of the vineyard to each of us is our life in this creation of the Lord. He will ask each of us indiviudally; How did you respect the gift that was given to you? How did you answer my call to love in the vineyard? Did you answer the call that I made to you in your heart?
Other reflections on this weeks gospel:

• Word on Fire
• Sunday Reflection
• English Dominicans 

Saints of the Week

October 3rd - Blessed Colomba Marmion
October 4th - St Francis of Assisi
October 5th - St Faustina Kowalska (Apostle of the Divine Mercy)
October 6th - St Bruno
October 7th - Our Lady of the Rosary (First Friday)
October 8th - Blessed Ambrose Sansedoni OP of Siena

Local Notices

This week we had a number of updates in relation to activites and workshops being run by the Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre including choir training for the revised translation, and up and coming scripture courses for Advent.

To find out the details of the various courses and to keep up to date with what is happening in the diocese check out Limerick Diocese online and sign up for the Pastoral Development newsletter.