Holy Infant Catholic Church
Father Michaels Weekly Thoughts
WEEKLY THOUGHTS 25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 20th 2026
Dear friends, welcome to the celebration of the 25th Sunday in Ordinary time and weekend we begin our Novena for Vocations in Richmond Diocese as we prepare to celebrate the Feast Day of our Patron Saint Vincent de Paul on Sunday September 27th 2026. The Prayer cards and daily devotionals are available in the Foyer and on our Church website.
In the Gospel Reading of last Sunday, Jesus responded to Peter on the necessity of forgiving any time forgiveness is called for. That failure and refusal to forgive from the heart locks one in the prisons of anger and resentment and away from God who is kind and merciful. We need to forgive in order to heal from hurt and move on in life as free children of God.
The Gospel Reading of this Sunday; Matthew 20: 1-16 is about the parable of the landowner who hired laborers at different hours to work in the vineyard with a daily wage pay- Denari. At the end of the day, he paid the same amount of daily wage to those who worked for one hour as he did for those who worked long hours.
Those who worked all day were unhappy with the landowner and openly protested to the landowner for having paid the same amount to those who worked for one hour.
The landowner – who is God; His generosity exceeds human expectations. God as landowner acted exceptionally generous and just. This is the nature of God as affirmed in the responsorial psalm; “The Lord is gracious, slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is good to all and compassionate towards all his works.”
Hence God’s generosity cannot be quantified or partitioned in different amounts. Selfishness, envy and prejudices have no place in the community nor family of God. One is called to rejoice with a brother or sister for the success, goodness and blessings God has given them. We must remember that whatever blessing or gifts God has given us is meant for the building up of the Body of Christ.
This weekend, we begin our Novena for Vocations. Let us take Marriage as a foundation for all Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated life.
Indeed, God comes to us to be hired as workers in his vineyard. God wants everyone to benefit from his abundant generosity, kindness and mercy. Let us be responsive to his call and divine grace when God says; “you also go to my vineyard.”
Mass Cards are only available to those requesting a Mass Intention. Mass Intention Envelopes are available in the foyer and checks should be made payable to the Church. Please include your address on your request so we can mail your Mass Card.
Have a great week and God bless.