Browsing Pastor's Message

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 11/13/23

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains a very important parable, with special significance.  Jesus wanted to relay the necessity of being vigilant and preparing oneself for the final judgment. Jesus in comparing a scene from a wedding banquet draws upon the image to the life ... Read More »

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 11/13/23

My Dear People,

Jesus, when speaking about the Pharisees, tells His disciples and the people to follow what the Pharisees teach but do not follow their example. The example they follow does not show what it is like to be faithful to the law, but emphasizes their receiving approval ... Read More »

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 10/23/23

My Dear People, 

Today we have an interesting situation. The Pharisees on seeing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, asked one of their learned members, a doctor of the law, to ask Jesus what the greatest commandment was. This passage parallels Mark (12:32-33)where the one who did the questioning ... Read More »

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 10/16/23

My Dear People, 

In today’s Gospel Jesus is questioned about having to pay taxes to the Roman emperor. The issue was a hotly debated one in first-century Palestine where the imperial taxation of Judea was burdensome on the economy and deeply resented by Jews who longed for national independence.  ... Read More »

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 10/10/23

My Dear People,

Both Readings today deal with a feast and a banquet.  The Prophet Isaiah, as mentioned in the  Sacred Scriptures, deals with a banquet on top of a mountain--a high point on earth, therefore closer to God. 

The Lord prepared a special feast for all the nations ... Read More »

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 10/02/23

My Dear People, 

In accordance with the Year of the Eucharist, we at St. James are going to have a 24-hour Adoration beginning after the 9:00 am Mass on Wednesday October 11th and ending before the Mass on October 12th. I know it can be a huge sacrifice to ... Read More »

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 10/02/23

My Dear People,  

Thank you to all who participated in my birthday celebration and all who wished me a Happy Birthday. May God bless you and your families.

From the book of Ezekiel, we learn the importance of repentance and a willingness to change our lives and make a ... Read More »

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Christy .. on 10/02/23

My Dear People, 

In the past, whenever vineyard was mentioned in the Bible, it referred to Israel. Elijah dwelt upon Mount Carmel. The word Carmel means the vineyard of the Lord. In the Gospel, Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus speaks to His disciples of the vineyard and workers.  

The landowner hired ... Read More »

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 9/11/23

My Dear People, 

When Peter asked Jesus how often one should forgive, Peter thought it would be generous enough to forgive someone seven times seven. After all, 7 times 7 years is the year of jubilee, when all debts are forgiven. When Jesus said 70 times seven times, it ... Read More »

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 2023

Posted by Christy .. on 8/31/23

My Dear People,

In order to achieve reconciliation and not condemnation, Jesus speaks to the Disciples informing them of the guidelines of their juridical and sacramental role in enforcing the authority to interpret the Law and who will dispense the forgiveness of sins for the New Covenant community. 

Jesus ... Read More »