Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CALL UPON THE LORD

The very first line of today’s first reading summons us to seek the Lord and to call upon God. This sentiment is echoed in the refrain for today’s responsorial psalm: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him” (Psalm 145:18a). Saint Paul is the embodiment of someone who constantly sought the Lord. In the excerpt we read today from his letter to the Philippians, we find Saint Paul toward the end of his life, a life he describes as completely consonant with Christ. He writes, “For to me life is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). To find out what it means to live life completely in accord with Christ we need look no further than today’s Gospel. There we find that God’s love and mercy are immeasurable for all those who seek and call upon the Lord.

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Masses for the Week

• Sun. Sept. 20 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish
• Mon. Sept. 21 8:30 AM
• Weds. Sept. 23 8:30 AM & 6:30 PM
• Thurs. Sept. 24 8:30 AM
• Fri. Sept. 25 8:30 AM
• Sat. Sept. 26 8:30 AM & 5:30 PM
• Sun. Sept. 27 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish

Announcements

Catechetical Sunday — Thank You to Our Catechists

Today, Catechetical Sunday, we would like to thank our catechists for giving of their time and sharing their faith with our parish youth.

White Mass — Saturday, Sept. 26 in Nashville

In honor of doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and all healthcare professionals, Bishop J. Mark Spalding will be celebrating a Mass on Saturday, Sept. 26th at 5:00 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. More info: nashvillefaithformation.com/white-mass

Religious Education — Registration Closes Sept. 27

Registration for Religious Education is still open. Scan the QR code in the hall to fill out the registration form and pick up a parent packet. Registration will close next Sunday, September 27th.

Religious Education & OCIA — Meeting Today, 10:15–11:30

Religious Education and OCIA will meet today at 10:15–11:30.

RCIA Class — Sundays 10:15–11:30 in the Vestibule

If you are interested in becoming Catholic or want to learn more about your faith, RCIA class will meet in the vestibule on Sundays at 10:15–11:30. This class is also for those baptized Catholics who have not received First Communion or Confirmation.

Magnificat Nashville — Speaker Meal, Oct. 24

The Magnificat Chapter of Nashville is excited to announce that the guest speaker for at the Meal on October 24, 2026, from 9AM–12:30PM is Christine Watkins, author of numerous books, including The Warning - Testimonies and Prophecies of the Illumination of Conscience.

Location: Catholic Pastoral Center, 2800 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214. Cost is $30 and includes breakfast. To register for the event visit magnificat-ministry.net/chapters/TN-nashville.

Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries provides support for vital ministries, seminarian training, religious education for all ages, youth and children’s ministries and support for the poor and needy throughout our diocese. Join donors in our parish as we work towards our goal this year of $11,000. Give online at www.dioceseofnashville.com/appeal or mail to Diocese: Bishop’s Appeal, 2800 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214.

Online Giving

Here is the established QR code for the parish if you would like to make your donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: Turn to the LORD, who is generous in forgiving (Isaiah 55:6-9).

Psalm: The Lord is near to all who call upon him (Psalm 145).

Second Reading: Live your lives in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a).

Gospel: The last will be first, and the first will be last (Matthew 20:1-16a).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Ezr 1:1-6; Ps 126:1b-6; Lk 8:16-18

Tuesday: Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20; Ps 122:1-5; Lk 8:19-21

Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9; Tb 13:2, 3-4abefghn, 7-8; Lk 9:1-6

Thursday: Hg 1:1-8; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 9:7-9

Friday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51

Saturday: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a; Jer 31:10-12ab, 13; Lk 9:43b-45

Sunday: Ez 18:25-28; Ps 25:4-9; Phil 2:1-11 [1-5]; Mt 21:28-32

Reflecting on the Word

“If I can get paid the whole wage for working only for one hour, I’d rather do that!”

In a catechist training course, I was leading the group of women gathered that Saturday morning in reflecting on the parable Jesus gives us in today’s Gospel. The women began their discussion with trying to receive the most for the least effort.

“Ah, so you’d like to do what the Emperor Constantine did? The deathbed baptism?”

I tried to redirect the conversation: “Why are there some people who are still unemployed at the end of the day? How does that reflect the reality of our world today?

The parable is not so much about philanthropic generosity or about the sacramental graces. Rather, I see Jesus telling us this parable to help us think about how our notions of fairness are not necessarily fair. The verse from Isaiah says clearly that God’s ways are very different from our ways. We tend to forget that in our interpretation of these parables.

The owner of the vineyard could have paid the workers who came first before the others and thus avoided the discontent and complaints of those workers. Instead, he chose to start with the last. I wonder why he did that. What does this parable tell us about how we tend to dismiss, dehumanize, or simply erase from existence by ignoring certain groups of people? But God does not stop inviting humanity into divine love. And God does not stop being patient and kind when we complain and question God’s will for us. God’s ways are not our ways. But we can make our ways more like God’s.

Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.

Adoration

8:00 AM — 1st Saturday of the month

7:00 PM — 1st & 3rd Friday (Spanish)