Today’s reading is a difficult challenge to priests, deacons, anyone who preaches, and all church leaders.

Today’s message on the greatest commandment raises a question: Let’s assume for the moment that as a pastoral minister your “love of God” is well grounded.

Jesus snares the Pharisees in their own trap in today’s gospel with his brilliant teaching to “render unto Caesar . . . . ” Their hypocrisy is revealed for all to see.

Today’s gospel parable focuses on those who, for a variety of reasons, chose to ignore or reject the invitation to a wedding banquet.

Today’s parable of the wicked tenants highlights the mistreatment and rejection that the messengers of God receive at the hands of those to whom they are sent.

Do you at times feel so overwhelmed by your workload that you feel like responding “I will not”—like the first son in today’s parable—to a request for assistance or a pastoral task?

Today’s gospel story of the laborers in the vineyard is a brilliant exposition of the all-too-human tendency to envy and even resent another’s good fortune. Who among us hasn’t experienced the feeling at some time or another?

Not forgiving is an ingratitude. How could we not forgive others, when God has forgiven us so much?

It is said that the United States is the most highly litigious society on Earth—not really a fact we need to celebrate. The Jewish community at the time of Jesus was no less disputative.

The demands of discipleship are much on display in this week’s readings. Jeremiah felt caught between his call and its cost.