Today’s Gospel affirms for us God’s bountiful generosity. We know this is true because Scripture says that many are called but few are chosen. Ordinary Time continues to unfold for us the reality of God’s abundance, but receiving all He has to offer makes the greatest difference in the world. The great differentiation is for the faithful to actually heed what the Lord is saying, to actually put into practice living the Ten Commandments, being well rooted in the sacramental life by frequent confession and reception of Holy Communion.

Ordinary Time will continue to the Advent Season, and in this time, we enjoy being opened to the public ministry of Jesus. His public ministry includes not only meeting people on the fringes, but also meeting people who are within the fold, faithful themselves.

This is affirmed in last week’s Gospel when Jesus warned the Pharisees and other leaders that tax collectors and prosti- tutes are gaining the Kingdom of Heaven before you. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus continues, warning that the Kingdom of Heaven will be taken from you because you fail to bear fruit.

Jesus speaks directly to those who proclaim the faith: the Pharisees of his day and the church today.

Actions speak louder than words is often a sentiment we hear growing up. The question is, do we really believe it? The average person truly strives to put this into practice, but the spirit is willing, and the flesh is weak. Today, the parable of the two sons teaches us to obey God immediately at His promptings and not take His generosity for granted.

In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus describes laborers who are hired at different hours but receive the same full wage at the end of the day. Those who worked longest become resentful, prompting the landowner to ask, “Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:1–16a). This parable reminds us that salvation is not a wage we earn through superior effort or lifelong faithfulness.

In today's Gospel, we learn firsthand that forgiveness is not an option, but a mandate from the Lord. To hold contempt is sinful, even if it may seem justified.

Jesus says that if we hold contempt, judgment falls on us. Forgive seven times seven times. We are also reminded not to present ourselves for Holy Communion if we hold contempt in our heart. If we do, we bring judgment upon ourselves.

We are reminded in the Gospel of Mathew that prayer is central to the Christian life. Jesus said that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, our Father in heaven is in their midst.

This matters on many levels of the Christian life: to allow God to be in our midst, here and now, present to us.