Team Jesus

 “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.” In the Gospel reading, God reminds us that He has gifted us a place we can call home—a place where we can find peace and rest. He created a world that provides us with what we need throughout our lives. However, when our personal interests get the better of us, we often forget Who gifted us with such abundant blessings. We can become the worst versions of ourselves when we begin comparing ourselves with others, measuring how many things we have under our names, and developing the habit of claiming ownership over things that we can never truly possess—especially when they are far greater than material things. Last Sunday, October 4, 2026, I was truly amazed by how the priest related the Gospel to the ongoing issue surrounding Pax Silica, and I came to understand why. Authorities have simply taken away something that was never truly theirs to begin wi...

 Today’s Gospel reminds us that following God is not about being perfect or never making mistakes. We are all sinners, and there will be times when we disappoint God, the people around us, and even ourselves. The first son initially refused his father, but he eventually changed his mind and did what his father asked. This shows that our mistakes do not define us forever. What truly matters is having the humility to recognize when we have gone wrong, repent, and turn back to God. This Gospel also makes me reflect on what it truly means to be a follower of God. It is easy to say that we believe in Him or call ourselves Christians, but our actions should also reflect our faith. Like the second son who said yes but did not go, we can sometimes say the right things while continuing to live in ways that go against God's will. True faith requires more than words. It requires us to listen, repent, change, and sincerely try to follow God's path. There will always be moments when we beco...

 Imagine giving medicine to a toddler. Usually, they resist. In the child's mind, the medicine tastes horrible and they are put in an uncomfortable situation. However in the mind of the person giving the medicine, it is necessarry for the child to recover. That kind of relationship is quite similar to our Relationship with God.  Today's gospel tells the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, and it emphasizes that God's ways is not like our ways. Just like how a toddler and an adult do not meet eye to eye, us humans also cannot understand why God is putting us through certain situation. Adults know more than toddlers, and God knows even more than humans.  Although it is sometimes a challenge, I think it is incredibly comforting that God, creator of all things, promises to never leave your side. Just the thought of it makes me realize that many of my problems are actually not that big of a deal, and even if they were, God can handle it anyway. Whenever I am reminded that ...

 Matthew 18:21–35 tells a story of forgiveness and mercy toward one’s fellow brothers and sisters. In this gospel, a servant was forgiven an enormous debt by his master. However, when he faced the same situation with his fellow servant, he did not act with the same mercy and demanded immediate payment. When the master learned of his hypocrisy, he grew furious and punished him. Forgiveness must not be withheld when we are called to show grace and true compassion. Mercy is just as important when it comes to equality and justice. Extending grace as a child of God is a way to follow in His teachings. As a young person, I see how easily grudges and misunderstandings disrupt our relationships. There are times when we are blinded by anger, forgetting that true mercy should be freely given. After all, we're all just human; no one was made perfect. Choosing forgiveness, even in difficult situations, is what has enriched my faith and deepened my connection with God's word. Heavenly Fathe...

 Gospel Reflection  In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus teaches the disciples how to handle conflicts with one another. He tells them that when someone does something wrong, they should approach the person privately and talk about the situation instead of immediately involving other people.  This Gospel made me reflect on how I handle conflicts with the people around me. There are times when someone does something that hurts or disappoints me, my first reaction is to distance myself from them or keep my feelings to myself. As someone who doesn’t want to start an argument or make the situation worse, I feel uncomfortable telling them that they have done something wrong. However, Jesus shows me that avoiding the problem is not always the best way to deal with it.  I realized that handling conflicts does not always mean trying to prove that I am right. Sometimes, I become so focused on explaining my side of the story that I forget that the other person also has feelings and thei...

 In matthew 16:21-27, Jesus reminds His disciples that following Him is not always easy. He tells them that He must suffer, be rejected, and eventually be killed, but Peter finds it difficult to accept this. Jesus then teaches that anyone who wants to follow Him must be willing to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. This Gospel makes me realize that life will not always go according to what I want. There will be struggles, disappointments, and sacrifices, but these challenges can help me become stronger and closer to God. Sometimes, I may want to choose the easier path, but Jesus reminds me that doing what is right requires courage and faith. I also learned that success is not only about gaining things or pleasing other people, what truly matters is how I live my life and how I treat others. I should not lose myself just to achieve worldly things. Instead, I should trust God, remain faithful, and continue doing what is good even when it is difficult. “Take up your...