Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

First Reading

Isaiah 55:6-9

God's ways are far beyond the ways of human beings.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 145:2-3,8-9,17-18

God is near to those who call upon him.

Second Reading

Philippians 1:20c-24,27a

Paul tells the Philippians to live for Christ.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 20:1-16

In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus teaches about God's generous mercy.

Background on the Gospel

Reading

In today's Gospel, Jesus moves from Galilee to teach in Judea where he is sought out by great crowds and tested by the Pharisees on issues such as marriage and divorce. Jesus also encounters a rich young man who is unable to accept Jesus' demand that he leave his possessions to follow him. Jesus' response to the rich young man sounds very much like the conclusion we will find in today's Gospel: the first will be last and the last will be first.

On the surface, the parable of the workers in the vineyard appears to be an offense to common sense. Those who work a longer day ought to be paid more than those who work just an hour or two. When viewed in this way, the landowner seems unfair. That is because we are reading into the parable our own preconceived notions of how fairness and equality should be quantified.

A close read shows us that the landowner paid on the terms that were negotiated. The landowner, it seems, has acted completely justly. The parable goes beyond that, however, and we come to see that the landowner is not simply just, he is exceptionally just. He is radically just. He has given those who labored in the field for a full day their due pay. But he has also given a full-day's wage to those who worked only a single hour. No one is cheated, but a few receive abundantly from the landowner just as we receive from God more than what is merely justifiable or due. God, like the landowner, is radically just and abundantly generous. The workers who complain are made to look foolish as they lament the fact that the landowner has made all workers equal. Indeed, what more could one ask for than to be treated as an equal at work or anywhere else?

The parable reminds us that although God owes us nothing, he offers abundantly and equally. We are occasionally tempted to think that our own actions deserve more reward, more of God's abundant mercy, than the actions of others. But God's generosity cannot be quantified or partitioned into different amounts for different people. When we think that way, we are trying to relate to God on our terms rather than to accept God's radically different ways.

Loving and Forgiving



“Loving and Forgiving" is a peaceful hymn based on Psalm 103 and written by Scott Soper. Its beautiful lyrics remind us that the Lord is merciful and forgiving and ready to heal those who live in pain. Recorded live by the Sunday 7pm Choir at St. Francis De Sales Church in Ajax, Ontario Canada.

Family Mass

Our next Family Mass will be this Sunday, September 20 at 9:00 am in the church. Come join us and bring the whole family!

Oktoberfest Dinner

The Oktoberfest Dinner has been cancelled.

Pope Leo XIV Continues His Weekly Teaching on Vatican II



At his September 9 audience, Pope Leo XIV reflected on Gaudium et Spes (Vatican II’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World), highlighting the God-given dignity of every human person as the foundation of Christian life and social responsibility. He reminded the faithful that dignity is not earned by achievements or status but is an indelible gift rooted in being created in God’s image. The Holy Father cautioned that modern culture often distorts this truth through self-centered individualism, and he called Catholics to rediscover the relational nature of the human person—created for communion with God, with one another, and with creation. Upholding human dignity, he said, means living as a gift for others, fostering solidarity, and resisting anything that diminishes the image of God in our neighbor.

Yom Kippur and Catholic Solidarity with the Jewish People

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year—a solemn “Day of Atonement” devoted to repentance, fasting, and seeking God’s forgiveness. It is a day of deep reflection, reconciliation, and renewal of the covenant with God. These themes resonate strongly with Catholic life, especially our own practices of repentance and mercy.

Catholics honor our Jewish brothers and sisters on Yom Kippur because:

• Our faith is rooted in theirs. The rituals of Yom Kippur come from the Book of Leviticus and form part of the religious world Jesus Himself lived.

• Its themes echo in our sacramental life. Atonement, repentance, and reconciliation—central to Yom Kippur—are fulfilled in Christ and celebrated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

• The Church teaches profound respect for Judaism. The covenant with Israel remains a living reality, and Catholics are called to honor the Jewish people as partners in God’s saving plan. All forms of antisemitism are an affront to God.

Saint John Paul II expressed this beautifully during his historic 1986 visit to the Great Synagogue of Rome, calling the Jewish people “our elder brothers.” His words remind us of the unique spiritual family bond shared by Catholics and Jews.

Yom Kippur invites us to appreciate our shared spiritual heritage, to honor the Jewish community with respect and love, and to recommit ourselves to the work of reconciliation that God desires for all His people.

Altar Servers Training

We will be conducting training for altar servers on Monday and Wednesday afternoons beginning on September 21 at 3:00 pm in the church. Students from St. Patrick School will be brought over to the church after dismissal time and returned to the school at 5:00 pm. Students from other schools should be brought directly to the church.

The following requirements must be met:

• Child should be baptized, received First Communion and in the 4th grade or higher
• Be available to serve parish Masses. Altar servers from our school may not choose to serve only at school Masses.
• Attend the training sessions
• Have permission of their parents

To sign up for the training sessions, send an email to joinaltarservers@gmail.com.

“Little” Fugue in G Minor for Low Recorder Quartet

Enjoy this video performance of JS Bach’s beautiful fugue as played by James Howard Young. This cleverly edited performance features the same man playing all four instruments.

JORNADA MUNDIAL DEL MIGRANTE & REFUGIADO

DOMINGO | 27 DE SEPTIEMBRE |

2 P.M.

La ubicación ha cambiado

a Balboa Park

Reflexión del Párroco

XXV Domingo Ordinario 

Este domingo, la Palabra de Dios nos invita a mirar nuestra vida con los ojos de Dios y no solamente con los criterios del mundo. En el Evangelio, Jesús nos presenta la parábola de los trabajadores de la viña. Algunos comenzaron a trabajar desde temprano en la mañana, mientras que otros fueron llamados más tarde. Sin embargo, al final del día, el dueño de la viña les dio a todos el mismo salario. Los que habían trabajado durante más horas comenzaron a quejarse, porque consideraban que no era justo.

Su reacción puede parecernos comprensible. Muchas veces pensamos: “Yo trabajé más, sacrifiqué más y di más; por lo tanto, merezco más.” Sin embargo, Jesús nos muestra que la justicia y la generosidad de Dios son mucho más grandes que nuestros cálculos humanos.

La primera lectura nos recuerda: “Mis pensamientos no son los pensamientos de ustedes, ni sus caminos son mis caminos, dice el Señor.” Dios ve nuestra vida de una manera diferente. Su misericordia no se puede medir, y su amor no es un premio que ganamos al competir con los demás. La vida en el Reino de Dios es, ante todo, un regalo de gracia.

Con qué facilidad podemos caer en la comparación. Miramos las bendiciones, talentos, oportunidades, familias o ministerios de otras personas y pensamos: “¿Por qué ellos y no yo?” Incluso dentro de la Iglesia podemos experimentar celos, competencia o resentimiento. Pero el Señor nos invita a alegrarnos cuando otra persona recibe una bendición de Dios.

La viña pertenece al Señor y cada uno de nosotros ha sido invitado a trabajar en ella. Algunos son llamados desde pequeños; otros encuentran a Cristo más adelante en la vida. Algunos sirven de manera visible, mientras que otros realizan su servicio silenciosamente. Algunos tienen muchos años de ministerio, mientras que otros apenas comienzan. Lo importante no es cuándo entramos en la viña, sino que respondamos “sí” a la invitación del Señor.

Este Evangelio también nos recuerda que nunca es demasiado tarde para volver a Dios. No importa cuánto tiempo pensemos que hemos perdido ni cuántos errores hayamos cometido. La invitación del Señor permanece abierta. Su misericordia siempre nos ofrece un nuevo comienzo.

Al celebrar este domingo, pidamos la gracia de abandonar las comparaciones y los celos. Aprendamos a reconocer que todo lo que tenemos es un regalo de Dios y a alegrarnos por las bendiciones que Él concede a los demás.

Que podamos confiar en la generosidad del Señor y recordar que su gracia no se agota, su misericordia no tiene límites y su amor siempre nos llama a trabajar en su viña.

Bendiciones siempre.

P. George G. Pérez, CJM

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866