#MyMassTakeaway: Grapes in the Vineyard

Today’s the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Find the Mass Readings here: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 8, 2017

My takeaway:

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#MyMassTakeaway: Grapes in the Vineyard. . Sometimes I think I'm doing the right thing. Something good or honorable. And then somebody rains on my parade. Poo-poo's the whole idea. Makes me second guess my actions and decisions. Makes me feel insecure. . All because we disagree. Because we value things differently. Today's readings were about grapes in the vineyard. And all I could think about was my Grampa's grapevines. A beautiful big arbor. Well-tended plants. A bountiful crop. . My son Hero loves the grapes. He can't get enough of them. But I detest them. The pit, the consistency, the tartness. I can't bring myself to eat them. . But that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them. I can't condemn the grapes because of my personal opinion. What I think of the grapes doesn't change their value. They're still good grapes. . Same goes for my works. Someone else may not value it the way I do, but that doesn't change its worth. God's the one who determines whether my personal fruits are good or bad. . So don't let the naysayers get you down. Turn to the landowner. Turn to God. He's the judge, and His opinion is the only one that matters. . #MySundayBest with @rosiehill425

A post shared by Sara Estabrooks (@tojesussincerely) on Oct 8, 2017 at 10:05am PDT

Thoughts from my blogging friends:

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At Mass tonight, the deacon’s homily was given in the midst of general “little kid chaos.” There was crying, there were too-loud whispers, there was hopping from pew to kneeler to pew again. . . . As the deacon pointed out we are all blessed with gifts, I surveyed the pew full of littles. And, I smiled – both literally, and in my heart. . . . We are all called to use the gifts God gives us – some of us will write, some will sing, some will draw, some will create masterpieces, some will create groundbreaking technology, and someday, perhaps someone will create the cure for cancer or other insidious diseases. Yet, many of us also waste our gifts. Our challenge is to discover our gifts – to recognize them, and then *do* something with them! As the deacon pointed out, “Take our gifts and go out and *live* our Catholic Christian Faith, using our God-given gifts!” . . . Amidst the little kids sitting in the pew tonight, I realized as a mother, not only am I called to use my gifts for my vocation as wife and avocation of motherhood, but I am also charged with the task to recognize my children’s gifts. And, to draw those gifts out of them. To encourage them to use their gifts. My job is to foster those gifts in them, and when the time is right, to remind them to spread their wings and fly. . . . With God, all things are possible. Even tall orders! Happy Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary!! . . . #bctgp #mysundaybest w/ @rosiehill425 #mymasstakeaway w/ @tojesussincerely #sundaybestsociety w/ @sundaybestsociety #momlife #catholicblogger #christianblogger #inspiration #catholicmom #gifts

A post shared by Anni Harry (@beautifulcamouflagedmess) on Oct 7, 2017 at 8:03pm PDT

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Mass is a waste of time. . . I could be cleaning. Writing. Doing something more productive than wrangling a toddler and having zero idea what the readings are or what the priest said or what songs we sang. . . I wouldn't even go to communion because I'm overdue for confession. . . But then, of course, there's reason – not just my ability to choose what is right over what is easy, but the knowledge that toddler, those children, are a gift I'm raising for God. . . Sure, I could have been cleaning. I could have been writing or switching fall wardrobes or doing laundry or…. . . Instead I got up and got them dressed and off to the 8:45, because days like this are the days I need it most. #mysundaybest #mymasstakeaway

A post shared by Ginny Kochis •Not So Formulaic (@ginnykochis) on Oct 8, 2017 at 12:41pm PDT

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One of my favorite scripture passages was read at Mass today! ❤️ Who else really needed to hear these words? 💁🏻 ⠀ Brothers and sisters:⠀ Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,⠀ by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,⠀ make your requests known to God.⠀ Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding⠀ will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.⠀ ⠀ Finally, brothers and sisters,⠀ whatever is true, whatever is honorable,⠀ whatever is just, whatever is pure,⠀ whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,⠀ if there is any excellence⠀ and if there is anything worthy of praise,⠀ think about these things.⠀ Keep on doing what you have learned and received⠀ and heard and seen in me.⠀ Then the God of peace will be with you.⠀ -Phil 4:6-9⠀ ⠀ JustLovePrints.etsy.com⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #justloveprints #fall #autumn #trustGod #trust #pumpkin #pumpkinart #createdtocreate #bissisterhood #verilymoment #thatsdarling #projectblessed #blessed #ilovefall #catholicsofinstagram #illustratedfaith #shepaintstruth #proudcatholic #catholiclife #catholicmom #peace #mymasstakeaway #catholicchurch #catholicmass

A post shared by Lindsay Trezza (@justloveprints) on Oct 8, 2017 at 1:28pm PDT

Your turn:

I want to know your Mass Takeaway too! Comment with your thoughts on the readings, your pastor’s homily, or anything that struck you during your time at Mass.