First Miracle: Cana :John 2:1-12
Story Mary spoke to Jesus: They have no wine Jesus Replies, Woman, how does your concern affect me? Woman Motif continued Do whatever He tells you The Gospel reveals to us how Mary prays and intercedes in faith CCC 2618 This is a sign of the wedding feast of the Lamb where Christ gives his body and blood at the request of the Church, his bride. (The Cross) CCC 2618
Cont 6 stone water jars for ceremonial washings These were all over the place as during meals Jews have several ritual washings; these were not used to store water for drinking. This was the best wine of the celebrationshowing Jesus Power over creation His disciples began to believe in Him-the start of faith in everyone but Mary.
Important Parables which announce the Kingdom Now the Father s will is to raise up men to share in his own divine life. He does this by gathering men around his Son Jesus Christ. This gathering is the Church, on earth the seed and beginning of that kingdom. CCC 541 Above all in the great paschal mystery his death on the cross and Resurrection-he would accomplish the coming of the Kingdom. CCC 542 Everyone is called to enter the kingdom CCC 543
Parable of Tenants Mt. 21:33-46
Story Owner built a vineyard Leased it to tenants to harvest the fruit Sent a messenger to collect his rent The tenants beat one and killed one Sent more numerous servants but the treatment was the same Finally sent his son but they killed him thinking they would get the inheritance What will the owner do?
Meaning The Owner is God The Vineyard is creation/ Kingdom Of God The Tenants are the People Israel/ Pharisees and Chief Priests The messengers and servants are the prophets The Son is Jesus Christ The Fruit borne is the spreading of the kingdom The kingdom will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.
Concluding Points The Pharisees knew he was talking about them so they sought to arrest him but were afraid The Stone which the builders rejected Ps. 118
Parable of the Vineyard workers Mt 20:1-16
Cont Each man got the same wage The workers who worked all day complained My friend, I am not cheating you, did you not agree for the usual days wage The last will be first and the first last.
Story Landowner went at dawn to hire day workers for a usual days wage He went out again at 9 and hired more for the usual days wage Went out at 12 and 3 for the same thing Around 5 he hired more men with the same agreement At the end of the day he paid them all starting with those who began last and ending with the worked that started in the morning
Meaning The landowner is God The laborers are us at different times in our lives The wage is the promise of salvation We should not be envious of someone who comes to God late in life. God will accept men at any stage
Concluding Points We need to have humility before God and Men The kingdom welcomes all Men if they seek it.
Parable of the Sower Mk 4: 1-9, LK 8:4-8
Story A sower went out to sow seed Some seed fell on the Path and the birds ate it Some seed fell on rocky ground and sprang up and then was scorched by the sun because of lack of roots Some seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it. Some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit a hundred fold
Meaning Sower is one who spreads the word of God Seed is the word of God Path-Satan comes at once and takes the word from them ( those who hear and ignore) Rocks-Those who receive it first with Joy but then it fades quickly in the face of any trial (first fervor is great but without foundation they soon fall away)
Cont Thorns-Those who receive it but the lure of worldly things draws them away. ( materialists and hedonists) Rich soil the ones who hear and receive it and spread the word. (Faithful Christians)
Concluding Points These are the many types of people that hear the Gospel We must avoid the pitfalls and seek to be true followers of Christ A true follower does not just worship Christ alone, but draws others to him with his fruit.
Parable of the Wedding Feast Mt. 22:1-14 Lk14:15-33
Story A King gave a great dinner ( wedding feast) Invited many important and influential people When the time for the feast came he sent out his servants to gather the guests Some guests had an excuse for not attending (Luke) Just bought a field to survey Purchased new oxen to examine I have just married and cannot attend
cont Some mistreated and killed his messengers The king was enraged and sent his army to destroy them (Matthew) Those who were invited are not worthy The servants went to the streets and invited anyone they could find One man showed up without a wedding garment The King cast him out into the street where there will be Wailing and gnashing of teeth
Meaning Many are invited but few are chosen. The King is God The wedding feast is the kingdom of heaven Those who were invited are the historical Israelites but also can apply to us today
Cont The messengers are the prophets of the Old Testament Those gathered into the feast are everyone who was not considered worthy but are now invited to the feast The man without the wedding Garment are those who are invited to the banquet, but do nothing to prepare. It is a free gift from God, but it necessitates a response from us. Many are invited but few are chosen.
Concluding points Traditional wedding feasts had garments provided for the guests Just as God gives us the tools to arrive in heaven If we choose not to cooperate with those tools (grace) then we too will be thrown out. Grace is freely given but it is never forced on us, we have to choose to cooperate.
Parable of the Talents Mt. 25:14-30 Lk 19:11-27
Story A man was going on a journey He gave 5 talents to one 2 to another and 1 to the last according to their ability. The one with 5 talents went and traded and made another 5 The one who received 2 made another 2
Cont The one with 1 buried it and waited for his master to return When the master returned after a long journey the man with 5 presented his new 5 The master responded well done my good and faithful servant, since you were faithful in small matters I will trust you with great responsibilities. Come share your masters joy The same thing for the man with 2 talents that doubled his talents
Cont When the man who was given one returned the one the master was irate You wicked lazy servant, why did you not put your money in the bank so that I could get interest off of it? He was then thrown out into the night were they was wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Meaning Everyone who has more will be given and he will grow rich but from the one who has not even what he has will be taken away. We must use what God has given us to increase the message of his Word. Even though someone may not have heard the direct revelation of God himself we have to sow the word of God to them so that they too may experience the Kingdom
Cont It is our responsibility to spread the Gospel at all times. If we spread this God will welcome us into the Kingdom saying, well done my good and faithful servant. If we do not, we will be thrown into the darkness of damnation.
Parable of the 10 Virgins Mt. 25:1-13
Story 5 of the virgins were Wise 5 of the virgins were foolish The foolish ones brought no oil for their lamps but the wise ones brought flasks of oil. The bridegroom was long delayed in coming
Cont The oil ran out and the foolish virgins asked the wise ones for some of their oil The wise ones refused saying there may not be enough for all of them. They ran out to buy more oil, the bridegroom came and went inside. When the foolish ones returned they doors were locked and they could not get in The people inside the house would not open the door for it was late and they did not know them.
Meaning We are the Virgins The bridegroom is Jesus Christ The Wise Virgins are those who prepare for his second coming through prayer and vigilance The foolish virgins are those who take no concern about the coming of the Lord and live their lives accordingly.
Concluding Points We need to always be ready for the coming of the Messiah St. Benedict tells us to live every day as if it is our last Stay away and be ready for our enemy is waiting like a roaring lion to devour us (1Peter)
Parable of the Lost Sheep Mt 18:10-14 Luke 15:1-10
Story A man has 100 sheep One of them goes astray He leaves the 99 to go in search of the one When he finds it he rejoices more than over the 99
Meaning God is the Man We are the sheep We are the one who wanders when we sin He looks for us There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who returns than over many who never strayed
Concluding points This does not mean that we should stray, but that God offers his forgiveness when we do and all of heaven will rejoice if we make it to heaven. Many great saints were also great sinners (St. Augustine) but through their conversion they were able to help many.
Parable of the Seed/ mustard Seed: Mark 4:26-34
Story A man spreads seed It grows without his assistance He knows not how The Kingdom is like a mustard seed It is the smallest of the seeds It grows and becomes a large plant that can house the birds
Meaning The Kingdom of God will grow without the assistance of us on earth We need to cooperate with the teachings of the kingdom in order to yield its fruit The word of God can start small and grow into something great This is shown in the growth of the Church but it also applies to the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.
ConcludingPoints These images are used because the people of the time are very familiar with seeds and planting It is necessary that we recognize that the kingdom is not dependent on us, but is given for our benefit.
Parable of the Hidden Treasure/ Pearl of Great Price: Mt 13:44-50
Story Kingdom is like a treasure buried in a field He sells all he has to buy the field. Kingdom in like a pearl of great price He sells all he has and buys it
Meaning Once we find the message of truth we should be willing to give everything up to achieve it.
Simile of Leaven Mt. 13:33 Kingdom is like yeast that when mixed with flour leavens the whole thing The Message of the kingdom cannot just affect things in a small way. The message of God permeates everything that we are.