Fr. Anthony Okon - Reflection

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

“What Have We Done with God’s Vineyard?”

God has given each of us a vineyard.

It may be our family, our health, our relationships, our faith, our abilities, our time, or simply the years of life He has entrusted to us. We did not create these things by ourselves; they are gifts placed in our hands.

The question is not only, “What has God given me?” but also, “What am I doing with what God has given me?”

We are not owners; we are stewards. And a steward is eventually asked what he did with what was entrusted to him.

St. Paul gives us a beautiful direction today: to fill our minds and hearts with what is true, honourable, just, pure and lovely. What we allow to take root within us eventually becomes the fruit of our lives.

So perhaps today’s Gospel invites us to look at our own vineyard. Is there patience growing there? Forgiveness? Kindness? Faithfulness? Love?

They may seem like small things, but these are often the fruits God is looking for.

And the good news is that God does not abandon His vineyard. Even when we have failed, He gives us another opportunity to begin again and to allow something good to grow.

If God came today looking for the fruit of my life, what would I place in His hands?

May He find not perfection, but the fruit of a life that has tried to love Him and to love others.

Amen.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

There is a popular English saying: “Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words.” We can say many things, but what really matters is what we actually do.

That is exactly the message of today’s Gospel. A father asks his two sons to go and work in the vineyard. One says, “No,” but later changes his mind and goes. The other says, “Yes, sir,” but never goes.

So Jesus asks: “Which of the two did his father’s will?”

The answer is obvious: the one who actually went.

And Jesus is asking us the same question today. How often do we say, “Yes, Lord,” but our actions say something different?

We say we love God, but do we make time for him?
We say we forgive, but do we really let go of the hurt?
We say we care about others, but do we notice when someone needs our help?

Our words are important, but our actions give our words meaning.

And there is also good news in the Gospel. The first son initially said no, but he changed. It is never too late to change our answer to God. Perhaps there is something God is asking from us today that we have been postponing.

So let us remember: Christian faith is not only about what we say with our lips, but what we do with our lives.

May our “Yes, Lord” not remain just a word. May it become an action.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

Sometimes we can be perfectly happy with what we have—until we discover that someone else has something more than we do. Suddenly, what we have no longer seems enough. We begin to compare ourselves with others, and comparison can slowly steal our joy.

This is what happens in today’s Gospel. The workers who came early receive the agreed wage. But when they see that those who worked only one hour receive the same, they begin to complain.

The problem was not that they received less. They received exactly what had been promised. Their unhappiness came when they compared what they had with what someone else had received.

We can fall into the same temptation: “Why did he receive this and I did not? Why is her life easier? Why has God given him more?” But when we constantly compare ourselves with others, we stop seeing and appreciating our own blessings.

God does not bless everyone in the same way, or at the same time. And His blessings are not measured only in money, possessions, health, success or material things. Sometimes the greatest blessings are the things we easily take for granted: faith, family, friendship, peace, another day of life, or simply the people God has placed in our lives.

God knows each person's journey, and His love for each of us is personal.

Therefore, the Gospel invites us today to have a grateful heart: to thank God for what He has given us, to stop comparing our lives with others, and to be open enough to rejoice when God blesses someone else.

The blessing of another person does not take away from ours. God's goodness is not limited. There is enough grace for everyone.

May God give us a grateful heart—one that recognizes His blessings in our own lives and can sincerely rejoice in the blessings of others.

Amen.
Happy Sunday to you and your family

Pilgrimage mass of st. Ludmila, Chudenín.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT ALWAYS EASY — BUT IT IS ALWAYS FREEING. ❤️‍🩹

We all know what it feels like to be hurt. Sometimes the wound is small and we let it go. But sometimes someone betrays us, says something painful, treats us unjustly—and the hurt remains. Even years later, we can remember what happened and feel the pain all over again.

In today’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus:
“Lord, how often must I forgive?”
Jesus answers:
“Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
In other words: Stop counting.

Forgiveness does not mean that what happened was okay. It does not mean forgetting the pain, pretending nothing happened, or immediately trusting again.

Forgiveness means refusing to allow anger, hatred, resentment and revenge to control our hearts.
Sometimes we have to forgive the same person more than once. Every time the memory returns, we may have to say again:
“Lord, I want to forgive, but I am still hurting. Give me the grace to forgive.”

Today, ask yourself:
Is there someone I need to forgive?
Is there someone whose name still carries pain in my heart? Bring that person before Jesus.
Because sometimes the person we need to forgive most is not the person who hurt us—but the person whose memory is still keeping our own heart from being free.

May God give us the grace to forgive, the courage to let go, and the peace that comes when we place our wounds into His hands.
We are all people who have received mercy. Let us become people who give mercy.

🙏 Lord, make my heart merciful like Yours. AMEN.

Yesterday, we celebrated a beautiful Pilgrim Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Dubová Lhota. 🙏⛪

After the Mass, the celebration continued in a very joyful and relaxed atmosphere. We sat together, enjoying music, good food, and a few beers, sharing laughter and fellowship.

And, of course, I couldn’t resist joining the musicians with my local drum! 🥁 It added a little African touch, plenty of rhythm, and, I must say, some extra color and excitement to the celebration. 😄

It was a wonderful reminder that faith is not only about what we celebrate in church, but also about the joy, friendship, and community we share afterwards.

Faith, friendship, music, food—and a little drumming! What a beautiful day. ❤️🥁🍺

Welcome to the Month of September!

Indeed our God is an awesome God. I pray for you with Exodus 4:1-5, just as He did to Moses, may God manifest Himself in your life and in all that concerns you this month in ways what will proof to those around you how great He is. God has given you authority over this month of September, you shall subdue and Conquer victoriously all the obstacles and challenges that will come with this Month of September. May joy and peace be your portion in this month and beyond. Amen.
Have a victorious September!