Pastor’s Blog

In the Gospel, Jesus tells the chief priests and leaders that those whom they least expect are entering the Kingdom of Heaven, while those whom one would expect—and who were prepared—are not entering the Kingdom.

Why is this the case, one may ask? What lesson is there in this passage from the Gospel of Saint Matthew 21:21–32 for us?

Faithful to the Way of God

In the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, we learn that we have a responsibility for our moral behavior. Living in union with God helps us to live in union with God and with others.

The second reading, from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, tells us, the followers of Jesus, that we must have in us the same attitude that is in Christ Jesus. This attitude is one of faithfulness to love, peace, mercy, goodness, humility, kindness, chastity, generosity, patience, gentleness, and self-control, even when things are not going well.

Look at the behavior of Christ in the Gospel. He is faithful to the way of God in every situation.

Faith Lived in Action

What lesson can we learn from this? We can learn that we are called to have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus in the context of the community—the Church—the Eucharist, and the Sacred Scriptures.

In this way, Christ is seen as Lord of one’s personal life as well as Lord of the world. Believing this helps us to be responsible for our moral actions. We can live out the faith we have through our actions.

Such behavior as racism, prejudice, and domestic violence has no place in the lives of those who follow Christ.

Therefore, how does my presence and your presence at Mass today make our worlds of home, work, and community better?

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
September 27, 2026
Sunday Readings

In the Gospel on Sunday, why do the early arrivals get upset? They think the owner owes them more for having worked longer hours.

How does this parable affect us? My first question is: Do you think God owes you anything for your faithfulness other than what God has promised—that is, eternal life?

So, when a person who has not led such an upstanding life returns to the Lord and the Sacraments, should his or her eternal life be less than those who have lived a good life all their lives? When people come on holidays, are they less loved by God than those who are here every Sunday? Do you feel a certain sense of self-righteousness when you see those who arrive only for holidays?

Remember the quote: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts…” Remember the words: “For me, life is Christ.”

If we were living our lives because we believed that life is Christ, then we would want what Christ wants. We would see through the lens of Christ, who wills the salvation of all.

Grace Is Not Something We Earn

Our attitude would be, “Thank God that people have found their way.” We would be happy for anyone returning to the Sacraments or coming to faith, no matter at what stage of life. Our joy would be that grace has triumphed.

If you believe that God owes you anything, then you have missed the point of Christ.

Remember the words from St. John’s Gospel: “Without me you can do nothing.” The very desire to pray, to praise, and to come to the Sacraments is God’s gift.

What can you do on your own? How can you put God in debt to you?

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Readings

Sunday’s reading are challenging. It continues the theme of reconciliation that we began last Sunday. Perhaps we can sum up the lesson for today in the following points.

First, do we pray for something from God which we deny to others?

Second, let go of wrath, anger, hurt, and resentments. Instead, seek healing, forgiveness, and mercy.

Third, learn to forgive yourself. If you cannot forgive yourself, you cannot forgive anyone else.

Fourth, contrary to the American and New York way of thinking, your life does not belong to you alone. Your life is in relationship with many other lives. You are not alone; you are part of a wide network of relationships.

From my pastoral experience, I have found that while people complain of how hurt they are or have been, they refuse to let go of the feelings and they keep them always uppermost in their memory. Thus, they allow the past hurt to control their present, and it never disappears. Consequently, they never experience peace.

However, it seems that we like our hurts and our anger. Yes, many of us love to keep telling the story over and over again so we get sympathy and attention. When we tell the story, we are always seeing ourselves as right and the other as wrong.

If this is your habit, pray for grace to let it go. Then you may have peace. Also pray to see your part in the hurt inflicted. Forgive yourself and move on.

In the Gospel, the message is clear as day. Do not ask for forgiveness, or mercy, or kindness from God if you refuse mercy, kindness, and forgiveness to others.

So, if you seek patience from God, then show patience to another. If you seek a particular healing or care for your family, then be a sign of healing for someone else. The graces you need from God, try to be that grace for someone else.

In this way, you are not the center of your prayer; rather, the Lord and His commandment are the center of prayer.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Readings

The Word of God today reminds us that faith is never merely a private possession. It carries with it a responsibility for one another. To be a Christian is not simply to seek our own salvation; it is also to care about the spiritual and human well-being of those around us.

The prophet Ezekiel presents himself as a watchman for God’s people. A watchman cannot see danger approaching and remain silent. In the same way, when we see someone moving toward serious harm or sin, we cannot simply say, “That is his problem” or “That is her problem.” Christian faith calls us to care because we belong to one another.

There are times when silence is necessary and wise. But there are also moments when silence becomes a failure of charity. In our families, communities, workplaces, and Church, fear, friendship, or convenience can make us reluctant to speak when something is seriously wrong. Yet Christian courage calls us to speak the truth—not harshly or judgmentally, but with humility, wisdom, and genuine concern for the dignity of the other person.

This is where St. Paul helps us to hold truth and love together. Truth without love can wound; love without truth can mislead. Christian love therefore has the courage to speak the truth, but always with the intention of healing and building up.

Jesus gives us the practical way to do this in today’s Gospel: “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Jesus’ emphasis is not on condemnation but on restoration. We are not called to expose, humiliate, or defeat another person. We are called to “win your brother or sister.”

That means avoiding gossip, public embarrassment, and unnecessary judgment. We should speak directly, listen carefully, give the other person an opportunity to explain, and seek reconciliation rather than victory. When someone acknowledges wrongdoing, we should be ready to forgive.

This spirit is at the heart of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Sin is acknowledged, God’s mercy is received, and communion is restored. The ultimate purpose is not simply to identify what is wrong but to bring the person back to the fullness of life and communion.

My brothers and sisters, the three readings therefore challenge us to reject indifference. Ezekiel says: do not remain silent when someone is heading toward destruction. Paul says: let love guide our relationships with one another. Jesus says: seek reconciliation when relationships are wounded.

This has practical implications for our daily lives. Let us care enough to speak when necessary, but let us speak with love. Let us listen before judging. Let us address problems directly rather than through gossip. Let us forgive rather than keep wounds alive. And let us never use truth as a weapon against another person.

Our families, parishes, and communities need truth and mercy, courage and gentleness, accountability and forgiveness.

May God give us the wisdom to know when to speak, the courage to speak with love, the humility to listen when we are corrected, and the grace to seek reconciliation whenever relationships are broken. May our faith never make us indifferent to one another. Instead, may it make us people who care enough to help one another choose the path that leads to life.

Monsignor Guy Massie
September 6, 2026
Sunday Readings

The major symbol of our faith is the Cross. The Cross is made when a horizontal beam and a vertical beam meet, causing a conflict.

Crosses come into our lives. Sometimes these crosses are the direct result of striving to do what is just and right.

In the first reading, Jeremiah the prophet is praying, pouring out his heart to God, whom he blames for all his heartaches. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet.

Prophets do not tell the future. Prophets speak the truth to power structures. Prophets ask questions and often challenge the status quo. Prophets seek to help people return to faithfulness and truth. Jeremiah did as God wanted.

The Reality of the Cross

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Apostles that He will suffer and die in Jerusalem. Peter, who in last Sunday’s Gospel confesses Jesus as Christ, or the Messiah, will not hear such talk. Just the mention of the word “cross” is enough to send Peter and the disciples running in the opposite direction.

Remember: Peter and the disciples knew exactly what the cross meant. They saw crucifixion in their lifetime. For us, the symbol of the cross has become too easy to observe. It has been sterilized. The reality is too much to even imagine.

The cross in the ancient Roman world was a sign of suffering, humiliation, and defeat.

The Cost of Discipleship

“I have done all the right things, and I am still suffering.”

I cannot tell you how often I have heard the above quote. If you were doing the right things and did not meet with opposition, I would be concerned.

To be a disciple of Christ means seeking to speak the truth when all others are reacting too emotionally. Disciples seek to face the deep-seated truth about themselves rather than judging the motives of others. Discipleship means asking oneself, as well as others, questions that lead to truth.

Discipleship means recognizing God-given human dignity out of love for all humanity. Humanity reflects God.

When others are speaking about white supremacy, the disciple of Christ must speak about the God-given dignity of each person, regardless of race, color, creed, or orientation. When others are seeking to exercise superiority over those whom they deem of lesser quality, the disciple speaks prophetically by addressing truth to power.

In each of these cases, those who love enough to speak out for truth will face opposition. This is just as Jesus has said.

Let us rejoice.

Msgr. Guy A. Massie
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Sunday Readings