Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There is a simple but powerful image in this weekend’s Gospel. Jesus tells us about a landowner who carefully plants a vineyard. He prepares the land, puts a hedge around it, digs a wine press, and builds a tower. He does everything necessary for the vineyard to succeed. Then he entrusts it to others.

Dear Friends, There is a small but powerful moment in this weekend’s Gospel that I believe speaks to every one of us. Jesus tells the story of a father who asks his two sons to go work in his vineyard. The first son responds rather bluntly: “I will not.” But later, he changes his mind and goes.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, There is a powerful question Jesus places before us in this weekend’s Gospel: “Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:1-16a) Jesus tells the story of a landowner who hires workers at different times throughout the day. Some begin early in the morning. Others come later. Some arrive near the end of the day. Yet when evening comes, the landowner gives each of them the same wage.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful teachings of Jesus, and perhaps one of the most difficult to live. In this weekend’s Gospel, Peter comes to Jesus with a question many of us have probably asked in one form or another: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Peter believes seven times is generous. But Jesus responds, “Not seven times but seventy seven times.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, One of the most difficult parts of life is dealing with broken relationships. Someone says something that hurts us. A disagreement becomes personal. Trust is damaged. Feelings are wounded. Sometimes we stop talking. Days become weeks, and weeks can become months or even years.