8 October 2017

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 79:9, 12-16,19-20
Philippians 4:6-9
The Gospel of Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone. This was the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see? ‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

Bearing Fruit

The Lord continually likens human souls to vines. He says for instance: ‘My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hill” (Is 5,1) and again: “I planted a vineyard and put a hedge round it” (cf Mt 21,33). Clearly it is human souls that he calls his vineyard, and the hedge he has put round them is the security of his commandments and the protection of the angels; for “the angel of the lord will encamp around those who fear him” (Ps 34[33],8). Moreover, by establishing in the Church “apostles in the first place, prophets in the second, and teachers in the third” (1Cor 12,28), he has surrounded us as though by a firmly planted palisade. In addition, the Lord has raised our thoughts to heaven by the examples of saints of past ages. He has kept them from sinking to the earth where they would deserve to be trampled on, and he wills that the bonds of love, like the tendrils of a vine, should attach us to our neighbours and make us rest on them, so that always climbing upward like vines growing on trees, we may reach the loftiest heights.
St. Basil, Bishop and Doctor (c.330-379),
Homily 5 on the Hexaemeron

Saints of the week
Mon 9 Saint Denis and his Companions, Martyrs. Also, Saint John Leonardi, Priest  
Wed 11 Saint John XXIII, Pope  
Sat 14 Saint Callistus, Pope, Martyr and memorial of the BVM  

Psalter Week III

Next Sunday’s Readings
Isaiah 25: 6-10
Psalm 22
Philippians 4:12-14,19-20
Matthew 22:1-14

St. Denis and Companions, Martyrs

St. Denis was born at the beginning of the 3rd century in Italy. As a young priest he was distinguished for his virtuous life, knowledge of sacred things, and firm faith. Pope Fabian (236-250) sent him with another priest, Rusticus and a deacon, Eleutherius to Gaul, they arrived in a neighbourhood of present day Paris where a fierce persecution had taken place under Emperor Decius. Their mission was to restore the faith there, which they did, ultimately giving their lives. 

As with other martyr stories of the era, it is difficult to distinguish between true miracles and legendary stories, for example, it is said that after having being beheaded, St. Denis’ body rose and carried his head to the burial site; hence he is usually depicted holding his head.

St. Denis and Companions, pray for us.

Curry and Culture Night Sat 28 October 8pm – midnight at the LPH. Music, dance, food, quiz raffle and more to help Caritas Paphos. Contact Wendy on 9904 0294. Or Kumari on 9663 1888.

Christmas Shopping Trip to Nicosia Tues 12 December. 3 stops M & S, Ledra Street near the border (passport required) final stop Ikea. Raffle with prizes. Bus leaves 8am from Debenhams Upper parking, returns around 7 pm. Cost €17 to help Hospice. Call Linda 99562387.

Closing of Parish Hall Library. Come to the “book giveaway” on Saturday 14 Oct., from 10.30 to 12midday. At the Latin Parish Hall. Tea and coffee.

Latin Parish Hall is available for hire 8.50€ per/ h. For details contact Mon to Fr, 9am to1pm Dave White 96374108 or Fr.Jim 9793169.

CARITAS PAPHOS currently needs

• Nοn-perishable food to help about 40 households weekly.  
• Computer whiz to manage crowdfunding appeals.
• Teachers for basic Greek and Transportation of students.

Prayers and donations always help. Contact Wendy Burdon 99 040294.

Mass Times HERE