Word from the Pastor

October 11, 2026

Once again, in today’s Gospel, we have a parable to illustrate the idea of those rejected and those welcomed. Last week, the ones rejected were the evil tenants who refused to give to the master of the vineyard his share of the produce; instead, the vineyard is given to other tenants who will produce its fruit.

Today, those rejected are the men who had been invited to the wedding feast of the King’s son, and yet refused to attend. Instead, those welcomed into the feast were the “people of the street”, both good and bad, anyone who would agree to attend the wedding of the King’s son.

What is the meaning of these parables? This is what Christ is trying to say to His listeners, the pharisees of the day: God has originally intended to bless you, the Jewish people, with the gift of eternal life, which is the “Kingdom of Heaven”, but because you have rejected me, God’s Son and messenger, this “Kingdom” will be given to another people - namely, the Gentiles, non-Jews.

However, this lesson does not apply simply to the Jews of Jesus’ day. It also applies to us as Catholics. Although we have received the blessings of the Kingdom (which are the True Faith and the Sacraments), we can still squander these blessings. For this reason, the Lord warns us: do not take your salvation for granted. Rather, in the words of St. Paul, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12).

Father Arboleda