“It’s easier to say ‘no’ now and ‘yes’ later than to say ‘yes’ now and ‘no’ later.”

These words of a holy man ring in my ears when I think of this great Parable. I don’t know if he was referring to this parable, or if he was just saying that sometimes we have to say “no,” but once again, this little-known parable is very timely, as we are now in the harvest season: the man in the parable is God and His vineyard is the Kingdom of God.

“Go out and work in the vineyard today.”

Like last week, the message is simple: we need to be obedient to God whenever God calls us. However, this can be often be challenging and hard to live by. Worldly things are always changing and distracting, but there is a huge harvest. God is telling us in strong signs and words that we have to say “yes” and roll up our sleeves and start seriously responding to His call and begin working in the Vineyard and for the Kingdom of God.

This week, the setting is critical to our understanding of this parable. Jesus has just entered into Jerusalem during Holy Week. It was time for Him to be obedient to the Father and live the saving mission for which He was sent. This is all about following the call of God and following our vocation. Maybe you have said “no” to God in the past, and right here, right now you are hearing the call again and are to answer “yes” and go into the vineyard:

“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one” (Mt 5:37).

Jesus Christ is clearly telling us today:We Need Your Help with the Harvest.

As part of our 50th Anniversary Jubilee, we are currently working on a plan for an in-depth Parish Engagement Study. This will look at every aspect of our parish: our history; where we are now; and where are we going. We have so much information to gather and many opportunities to learn, to improve and to make our parish better.

At this time of the year, we are getting into thebusy time for our parish. School has begun again and many people are coming back to Blessed Sacrament Parish.

We need generous parishioners who:

• Are good and faithful stewards who wish touse their talents as leaders for our parish,especially as Sacristans, Greeters, Ushers,and in our Choirs at the Holy Mass;
• Help with our Finance and Parish Councils;
• Are Catechists, Teachers and Helpers withour Religious Education program;
• Are Evangelists and parish outreach volun-teers, especially with our St. Vincent dePaul Society and Knights of Columbus;
• Know Technology and Audiovisual systems;
• Can identify new ministries which we arenow open to in this post-pandemic time;
• Are people of prayer who will volunteer topray and help in our new Adoration Chapel.

This last one is critical for the context of our work. Listen to the voice of the Lord as He speaks to you in prayer. We need quiet time to spend with Jesus to hear and understand what He is calling us to do. Remember that God always gives us a second chance to change and to prove ourselves. Believe me, the time is now here to really put this call into action.

Fr. Kilian and all of our great Parish Staff

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