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The Bells of St. Mary’s
The Church of the Immaculate Conception
Twenty – Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
From Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekanem, MSP
It is unfair
We hear this very often, 'this is not fair,' especially when things do not go the way we expected. Sometimes we wonder why, get upset and even question why life is very fair.
The story of the workers in the Vineyard seems to us very unfair when we listen to how the master treated those who came last. This Gospel from Matthew 20:1-16, causes most people, whoever has had to work for a living, a little bit of upset. And rightly so. The generosity of God portrayed in the story goes beyond our human standard. It supports what the prophet Isaiah says about our Lord's mercy in the first reading: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts about your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9). Just notice how vast the difference between God's ways and our ways, between God's thoughts and our thoughts, illustrates in the Gospel that our God's generosity utterly transcends human generosity.
Today, we hear a fantastic parable of the landowner who hires workers for his Vineyard throughout the day, some at sunrise, some just before evening. What are our reactions? "Are you envious because I am generous?" This parable was aimed at the Pharisees. These legalistically minded men were critical of Jesus because He befriended sinners and outcasts. The moral lesson in this story is that Jesus faces up to His critics and shows them what God is like: God is generous and full of compassion for the poor and the outcast. In that respect, the parable is similar to that of the prodigal son.
Note, we are those workers who are called to follow Christ into the fields and make disciples of all nations. We may have been privileged to be called at an early age, middle age, or old. The question now is, why are we upset at the master's choice of payment?
As Christians, we are all called to this mission. To use the words of St Paul and Isaiah, may we magnify Christ in our bodies (Philippians 1:20) as we call upon the Lord in our midst.
Please take a look at how Jesus flips our expectations of success upside down in the parable. When the Lord rewards his team, he values more than outer appearance. Jesus prizes the heart. He is open-handed with the late - bloomers. Indeed, God's ways are not our ways.
Also, note that the prophet's opening statement is "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6). The eleventh - hour people in Jesus' story were not idlers. They waited there and wanted to work. But it was just that nobody had hired them. Imagine how they felt as the day drew to a close. They felt rejected, useless, hopeless. The idea that any employer would care to take these people on at the eleventh hour, and pay them a full day's wage, was unthinkable. Yet this is what the owner of the Vineyard did. Here is the main point of the parable.
How does that influence the way that you feel about the marginalized? -
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES To open Churches
- We are to follow the NYS EXECUTIVE ORDERS, CDC, ESDC, and OSHA COVID 19 guidelines at all times.
- All persons coming to church for Mass must wear masks and gloves at all times.
- We must follow Practical and orderly COVID - 19 ushering at all times.
- A maximum of six feet of social distancing must be observed and maintained at all times.
- Divide Sanctuary space into sections of singles, couples or families with three or more members
- Follow guidelines for each section for singles, couples, or families with three or more members.
- Skip one pew for seating for singles
- Pew sections for two or more persons sitting together must skip two pews
- Church to be filled from front to back
- Pews to be filled from both ends to avoid anyone crossing someone else's path
- Allocate a minimum of two feet per person when seated
- Maintain six-foot distance between strangers while seated
- If side or back aisles next to the wall are eight-foot or more, we can use folding chairs while maintaining a six-foot social distancing between them.
We can use Vestibules for additional seating with folding chairs while maintaining six-foot social distancing between them. Remember, this is all about Common sense and our Faith. Continue to be patient, we shall all gather together as one to celebrate God’s love for us. The Archdiocese is developing a protocol for the careful reopening of our churches so that we can all be on the safe side of this pandemic. Stay safe! God bless!
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Mass Schedule
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English: Saturday 5:00pm, Sunday 7:30am & 11:00am
Spanish: Saturday-7:00pm, & Sunday-9:00am
Arabic: Sunday-12:30pm
Weekdays:
English-8:15am & 12:05pm, Spanish– Thursday 7:00pm
Eve of Holy days: 5:00pm,
Holy Days: 8:15am, 12:05 pm 7:00pm
First Fridays: Exposition of Blessed Sacrament- 11:00am to 12 noon in English & 7pm in Spanish
Mass Intention: To request a Mass, you may go the rectory; send an email to icmary@gmail.com: or call the parish office at 914-963-0156. Please include your contact number. Thank you -
Sacraments
Confessions:
English-
Monday to Fridays: 11:45-12noon
Saturday 11:45-12noon & 4:30-5:00pm
Spanish-
Friday’s 11:30-12 noon and
In the Rectory-
Monday & Friday 3:00 - 5:00pm
Sick Calls– Any hour Day or Night
Baptism:
In English–
the last Sunday of the month at 3:00pm (please call ahead and make an appointment with Fr. Anthony)
In Spanish–
The 2nd Saturday of the month at 2:30pm (please call ahead and make an appointment with Fr. George)
Marriages-
In order to provide sufficiently time for the Marriage Preparation Course, please call the parish office and ask to speak with any of the priests at least six months in advance. -
Websites
The Cardinal’s Appeal http://cardinalsappeal.org/
Archdiocese of NYhttps://archny.org/
The Vatican: www.news.vatican
The Catholic Link: http://catholic-link.org/ -
Today's Readings
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Reading 1 1 COR 15:35-37, 42-49Responsorial Psalm PS 56:10C-12, 13-14Gospel LK 8:4-15
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