St. Thomas the Apostle Parish

By the Middle Ages, the Blessed Virgin Mary was venerated as Queen of the angels and the saints. In 1955, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast was given the date of August 22nd to emphasize its connection with the Solemnity of the Assumption, one week earlier.

There are many "vocational stories" throughout the Scriptures. Today, we hear about Mary's call, which shows a wide range of responses to her encounter with the angel. First, she was "deeply troubled" at being called "full of grace." Then, she was confused that she would conceive and bear a son. Then, only after reflection, she submitted to what God asked of her, saying, "May it be done to me according to your word."

Mary's question, "How can this be?" shows that she struggled before reaching her famous response. We always struggle to understand what God wants from us. Mary's response of total surrender to God's purpose for her life did not come easily, just as it may not come easily to us. However, in our struggle to live in harmony with God's will for us, we have the promise of Gabriel's words to Mary: "Nothing will be impossible for God." What seems impossible to us is always possible with God's help. In the words of St. Paul: "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me has not been ineffective."

God calls us to be people of love, to be instruments of His love in our world, to speak out against evil and injustice, and to do our part to bring peace and justice to our world. This doesn't mean we condemn others; it means we show others how to love by our example.

In John's Gospel, Jesus says, "By this, shall [people] know that you are my disciples: if you love one another."

As we seek to bring today's Gospel alive in our hearts and lives, let us pray that God might let the fire of His love burn brightly in our hearts so that we might show His love to all people and express His love in our service to one another.

At first glance, expelling the guest without a wedding garment seems harsh. Yet, as with all of Jesus’ parables, the outward story serves as a metaphor for a much deeper spiritual truth.

In today’s parable, the host represents God the Father, and the wedding symbolizes the salvation He extends to all. This invitation is offered to both the good and the bad—even to those who ultimately reject it. Some may accept the invitation but fall short in remaining faithful to God through the sacraments, praise, worship, and good works done in Jesus’ Name. The wedding garment signifies these acts of faithfulness.

When we accept God’s invitation, we are called to embrace and live out the responsibilities that come with it. Our “wedding garment” is woven from the faith and love we share with others, allowing us to serve as instruments of God’s love and peace.

Let us pray that we may always strive to create a beautiful “wedding garment,” one that will lead us into the joyful celebration of God’s heavenly kingdom.

Many people find today’s parable about the workers in the vineyard difficult to accept. At first glance, it doesn’t seem fair. However, this parable isn’t about fairness—it’s about generosity and mercy. It reminds us of God’s boundless love and His willingness to offer mercy even when it seems undeserved.

The vineyard owner represents God, whose generosity and compassion shape our relationship with Him. Even as we strive to follow God’s will, we inevitably fall short. In those moments, we rely on God’s mercy rather than seeking strict justice or fairness.

God’s kingdom is not something we earn; it is a gift freely given, a manifestation of His limitless love. Our calling is to love God and our neighbors, trusting that He will provide the graces we need for salvation. God loves each of us deeply, and His love cannot be earned or demanded—it is always given freely.

Certain phrases in the Scriptures carry profound inspiration. For example, the assurance that "for God, all things are possible" is comforting. This echoes the response given to Mary when she asked the angel, "How can this be?" To which the angel Gabriel replied, "Nothing will be impossible for God."

In today's Gospel passage, we see the rich young man, seeking the path to eternal life, leave disheartened after Jesus's response indicated a sacrifice greater than he believed he could make. This raises the question: How can a wealthy person find the way to eternal life, especially considering that some may find such sacrifices unfeasible? Jesus assures us that it is possible, but only with a unique grace from God.

Throughout our lives, we all face challenges that seem insurmountable. We may feel anxious as we navigate a health crisis, cope with a family loss, manage a marriage breakdown, or endure a severe bout of depression. In these moments, it is reassuring to remember that for God, all things are possible. St. Paul embraced this belief and expressed it beautifully when he wrote, "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." How comforting it would be to share in that deeply held conviction!

The young man's question to Jesus in today's Gospel passage is heartfelt. He sincerely sought spiritual guidance and asked, "What good must I do to gain eternal life?" In response, Jesus recited several commandments that emphasize being just and kind to others, highlighting that the path to eternal life involves being life-giving and law-abiding.

The young man, who already followed these commandments, felt there was more he could offer. When Jesus suggested that he sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, the young man found this request overwhelming and left feeling saddened.

While such a challenging lifestyle may not be for everyone, the journey to eternal life that God desires for us always requires some level of self-denial and an unselfish relationship with others. Through His teachings and example, Jesus shows us what we must do to attain eternal life.

As is tradition, crowds at most professional baseball games stand up during the seventh inning stretch to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” One line from that song stands out to me as I reflect on the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel reading: “One, two, three strikes, you’re out at the old ball game.”

 

Before the woman even approached Jesus, she already had three strikes against her. Strike one: she was a Canaanite, and her people were hostile to the Israelites. Strike two: she was a woman in a male-dominated society. Strike three: she was a Gentile. In the eyes of the disciples, the Canaanite woman had struck out before she ever came to bat.

 

Jesus’ initial response to the woman appears to align with the disciples’ prejudice against the Canaanites, suggesting she is unworthy of His attention. For those of us who know Jesus’ true nature, it can be difficult to grasp why He would refuse to help her; if we acted similarly, we might be called “unchristian.”

 

The disciples urge Jesus to send her away, but she persists. When Jesus says, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs,” it might seem He shares their prejudices—but we need to look deeper.

 

We know Jesus is both truly human and truly God—full of love, mercy, gentleness, and compassion. Since Jesus is always faithful to who He is and what He teaches, there must be more to this Gospel passage than what appears on the surface.

 

We must trust that, as always, Jesus has a purpose in His actions. In today’s Gospel, He deliberately withdraws to Tyre and Sidon—the land of Gentiles, outcasts, and foreigners often hostile to the Jews. This setting exposes the disciples’ prejudices and challenges their expectations of who is worthy of grace.

 

Yet the Canaanite woman acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Son of David, recognizing His power to heal her daughter. She pays Him homage, even when He refers to her and her people with the word "dog," a term usually meant to demean. Despite this, she remains humble and perseveres in her plea, undeterred by the disciples’ desire to send her away. Her request is selfless, seeking healing for her daughter, not herself. She accepts even the scraps from the master’s table, demonstrating humility and unwavering faith. Her persistent prayer and steadfast spirit reveal a woman of deep faith, who passes Jesus’ test and hears Him proclaim, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish."

 

Jesus heals the Canaanite woman’s daughter—a Gentile, a foreigner, and an outcast—demonstrating that healing, reconciliation, grace, and salvation are not reserved exclusively for the Israelites. All people are called into the one family of God, regardless of religion, culture, race, or nation.

 

The disciples were the first to learn this lesson, but so must we. We are called to pray as the Canaanite woman did: acknowledging Jesus as Lord, full of love, divine mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Like her, we should approach prayer with humility, perseverance, and focus, resisting distractions.

 

We should pray always and strive for great faith, like the Canaanite woman. Begin each day with prayer—in the morning, at meals, and before bed—to sanctify the day. Let us renew the practice of family prayer. With deep faith and persistent prayer, Jesus may say to us, "Great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." Then He will lift us from the floor to the table of His altar, inviting all to share in the heavenly feast as one family of God.

 

It's natural to ponder what happens after we die. Every religion seeks to provide answers to this ultimate question. Today's solemnity reflects on what occurs after death, offering insights into the profound mysteries of our lives. From a Christian perspective, we find hope and purpose in understanding that our journey continues beyond death.

If we look at Mary's life as recorded in the Gospels, we may not initially see anything remarkable; it appears to be a life of faith, not visions. Only through divine revelation can we catch a glimpse of the hidden glory of her existence. Revelation teaches us that upon her death, her body and soul were assumed into Heaven. This belief signifies her unique role in salvation history and her special relationship with her son, Jesus.

Because of Christ's Resurrection and Mary's Assumption, we have hope that death is not an end but a beginning. Furthermore, we can look back from this perspective and find the infinite within the finite. There is so much more happening in our lives than we can see, understand, or even imagine. When Mary conceived Jesus, she carried a life within her life. Every woman who has conceived must resonate with this experience—a life within her life. This serves as a model for the Christian life: we also have the life of God within us. We must be attentive to this life we bear, nurturing it and bringing forth its fruit. Nothing is as it seems. Death leads to life, suffering is redemptive, and mortality becomes immortality.

The Pharisees frequently tested Jesus because His teachings often challenged, and at times even surpassed, the requirements of Jewish law.

 

In this instance, the Jewish leaders sought to test Jesus’ adherence to Jewish law regarding marriage. They anticipated that His teachings on divorce would at times contradict traditional interpretations—and they were correct.

Jesus’ teachings on marriage were more radical than those found in Jewish law. He emphasized lifelong commitment between men and women, citing the Book of Genesis to support His position.

 

While many marriages do not endure for life and relationships sometimes break down, the Gospels show that Jesus met people where they were in their everyday lives.

 

Jesus engaged with people within the realities of their lives, acknowledging their circumstances. At the same time, He presented God’s vision for human and married life, articulating this ideal while compassionately engaging with those who, for various reasons, could not attain it.

 

In essence, Jesus’ relationship with us is twofold: He loves us as we are, yet also calls us to strive for something greater.

Peter was a prominent figure in Matthew’s community, and only in Matthew’s Gospel does Jesus call Simon Peter the "rock" on which He will build His Church. Likewise, only Matthew records Peter asking, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

 

In that culture, the number seven symbolized fullness and completion. Forgiving someone seven times represented the utmost extent of mercy. Yet Jesus responds, "I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times," underscoring that our willingness to forgive should know no bounds.

 

Jesus recognizes that human nature inclines us to place limits on forgiveness. Nevertheless, He urges us to look to God’s infinite mercy as our model.

 

In today’s parable, Jesus highlights God's boundless forgiveness. He sets a high standard, calling us to mirror God’s mercy in our willingness to forgive others. As Matthew’s Gospel teaches, "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."