Oct 7, 20236 min read

Oct 7/8, 2023 - Sunday Bulletin

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Week in the Church

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS

SUNDAY, OCT. 8TH AFTER 8AM & 9:30AM MASSES – Famous pancake breakfast is back. Please join us in parish hall next Sunday for good food & good company

THE MONTHLY FILIPINO MASS – is on October 8th at 6pm.

To help us prepare for All Souls Day and November the month of the Holy Souls, offering envelopes are available at the Church entrance & on table in front of Sacred Heart.

THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, OCT. 9th (Also No 7:30am Mass that day)

Important Updates

THE MONTHLY FILIPINO MASS – is on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6pm.
Announcing the Knights 62nd Annual Charity Appeal - there are great prizes
2023/2024 Sunday Missals are in and available at parish office - Cost $5 each
SPECIAL OFFER – go to the Knights of Columbus notices for important information.
Project Advance : Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. All pledge forms were mailed out; if you receive it and already have given; please disregard and we thank you for your donation.
- Please look over information on your pledge form before sending in and make sure it is up to date, make any corrections as needed.
- You may also make a donation online here: https://support.rcav.org/project-advance-2023/ Be sure to select St. Edmund's in the parish drop down menu to ensure the excess funds come back to our community.
PREP 2023-2024 INFORMATION
- PREP Registration is now open and forms are available in the Parish office.
- PREP classes will be held every Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 pm at St Edmund’s School and begin on September 27, 2023

Reflections

Are we attentive and receptive to God's word?

Today's Gospel follows directly after last Sunday's Gospel in which Jesus was questioned by Jewish religious leaders about the source of his teaching authority. After refusing to answer their questions, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons and then criticizes the priests and elders for their lack of belief in John the Baptist.

In today's Gospel, Jesus once again speaks to the priests and elders with a parable. In this parable, the landowner leases his vineyard to tenants and sends his servants to collect the portion of the harvest that the tenants owe to him. Several times the servants are sent to collect payment, and each time they are beaten and killed by the tenants. Finally, the landowner sends his son to collect his rent. The tenants, believing that they will inherit the vineyard if the landowner dies without an heir, plot together and kill the landowner's son.

After telling the parable, Jesus questions the chief priests and elders about what the landowner will do to the wicked tenants. They all agree that the landowner will kill the wicked tenants and give the land to new tenants who will pay the rent.

In telling the parable, Jesus is clearly drawing upon Isaiah 5:1-7, which is today's first reading and one that the priests and elders would have known well. Jesus doesn't, therefore, have to explain the symbolism of the parable; the Pharisees would have understood that the vineyard represented Israel, the landowner represented God, the servants represented the prophets, and the bad tenants represented the religious leaders. Yet Jesus nonetheless explains the meaning of the parable for his audience: the Kingdom of God will be taken from the unbelieving and given to the faithful. The chief priests and elders have condemned themselves with their answer to Jesus' question.

Today's Gospel has a parallel in Mark 12:1-12. There are some notable differences, however. In Matthew's version, the religious leaders condemn themselves; in Mark's Gospel, Jesus answers his own question. Matthew names the religious leaders as Pharisees and chief priests. Clearly this Gospel shows the tension that was mounting between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders who thought that his message was dangerous. Matthew's Gospel was written about 70 years after Jesus' death and reflects the conflicts and tensions found in the Christian community for whom Matthew was writing. Many biblical scholars believe that the tension between Matthew's community and their Jewish neighbors can also be heard in today's reading.

This Gospel reminds us of the importance of listening to God's word. God speaks to us in many ways—through Scripture, through our Church tradition, in our Church's teaching, and through modern-day prophets. Are we attentive and receptive to God's word to us through these messengers?

- Loyola Press

Mass Intentions

Sunday, October 8

· Repose Gerrard Watt by wife Josephine