DEALING WITH TROUBLES: 27th Sunday OT A

POINTING TO THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD

Dear Friends

The readings this Sunday enlighten us about how to deal with trouble in our lives. In the first reading, Isaiah prophesies the imminent destruction of the vineyard, that is, "the house of Israel." In the Gospel, Jesus talks about a vineyard under terrible mismanagement. Rather than care for the vineyard, the tenants get involved in greed, betrayal - and finally, murder. Both readings describe different kinds of trouble, a cause for worry. But in the second reading, we hear a different tone from St. Paul who says "there is no need to worry" when trouble comes our way: " We know St Paul was no naive optimist. He was no stranger to trouble himself. Throughout his life he faced tons of them; public floggings, shipwrecks, snake bites, imprisonment, and bodily ailments, you name it, he had it.

But how did St. Paul, a man plagued with troubles himself overcome his anxiety and worry? In his own words he tells us "if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it, with prayer and thanksgiving." Friends, this is our prayer today -