Dear Parishioners,

Today we have the Parable of the Envious Servants. The word en-vy comes from the Latin in-vidia, in meaning ‘against’ and video meaning ‘to see’. Envy is a sorrow or sadness at another person’s good. This refers to the words of the landowner at the end of the parable: “Or are you en-vious because I am generous?” In Greek, the expression is: ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι – literally, “Is your eye evil because I am good?” The “evil eye” expresses the concept of in-vidia. The people who came first were grieved because of the recompense received by those who came last.

In the parable, the Landowner is God, who went out to hire laborers for His vineyard. The day represents the history of mankind. The evening represents the end of the age, when He gives the workers their reward. His vineyard is the Kingdom of God. The marketplace represents the world. THE FIRST LABORERS can be understood as representing the Jewish people: 1- They were the first called by God. 2- They “bore the day’s burden and the heat.” This can be understood as referring to the burden of the Law. THE LAST ONES can be understood as representing the Gentiles. God, the Landowner, says to them: “Why do you stand here idle all day?” Their idleness can represent those who did not yet know God or did not care about God and their own salvation. They answer Him: “Because no one has hired us.” No one was sent to us; no one told us about Your vineyard, that is, Your Kingdom.

Then comes payment time: “When it was evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay.’” The evening can represent the end of our earthly life and, ultimately, the end of the age. Beginning with the last and ending with the first, they received a denarius, representing salvation. When the first workers came, “they grumbled against the landowner” because they saw a disproportion in what the others received: “These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.” Their complaint was not that they had been deprived of their rightful recompense. Their problem was that the others had received the same reward. This is the heart of envy: the envious person suffers at other’s success as at their own loss. To the first workers, God shows Himself JUST, according to justice: “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?” The landowner had made an agreement with the first workers when he hired them. But to the last workers, He shows Himself GENEROUS, according to mercy: “What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?” And then: “Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?” Finally, He asks the question that reveals the condition of the heart: “Are you envious because I am generous?” In the Greek text, this is expressed even more vividly: “Is your eye evil because I am good?” The problem is not that God is unjust. The problem is that the workers have an evil eye – they cannot rejoice in the goodness shown to another. Let us ask our Blessed Mother that we may rejoice at other’s success.

Fr. Gaston Giacinti. IVE.

WEEKLY NEWS

Sacramental Preparation 2026–2027 The online pre-registration form for Sacramental Preparation is now available on our website! Classes begin in October.
•First Reconciliation & First Communion: Sat.
•Confirmation: Thursdays Visit www.stjohnpeterborough.ca to register
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults This process, through which adults become fully initiated members of our Catholic faith community, will begin again in Oct. If you someone you know, is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the possibility of becoming a Catholic, please contact M. Asterone 249 688 0930.

Coming Up: Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada The Collection will take place Sept 26&27. When you give, your offering begins in our parish but reaches far beyond it. It helps support the mission of our diocese and joins the gifts of Catholics across the country in supporting the shared work of the Bishops of Canada. Together, this support makes possible work that no single diocese or eparchy could accomplish alone – from providing catechetical resources for families, young people and parishes, to promoting respect for human life and the dignity of every human person, and accompanying migrants and refugees. Your gift helps strengthen the Church here at home and supports its mission across Canada. Please give prayerfully and generously next weekend. To donate online, scan the QR code 

Life Chain Sunday, Oct 4, from 2 – 3 pm. between George and Park Sts. Meet at Sacred Heart Church beginning at 1:30 to pick up signs. Prayers for Life afterwards at Sacred Heart. For info call Elizabeth 705-292-7056 or at www.peterboroughprolife.ca 
In depth Study on the Most Holy Eucharist The Bread from Heaven, The Last Supper, The Institution of the Eucharist, The Eucharistic Sacrifice, The Epiclesis are some of the topics that will be covered.   Classes will be every other Thursday Starting Oct 1st  from 7 pm – 8 pm at St John the Baptist Basement . For more details contact Daniel Rozario 647 928 6414 / email – DanielRozario@live.com
Congratulations to the 50/50 Winner: The lucky number for Sept 6 is 092975 for $74 and Aug 9 is 0292444 ($90).

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS:

Andrew Roelands Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate. Everyone is invited to participate and pray for our seminarian the Ordination Mass will be on Friday Oct. 23, at 7pm at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains by Bishop Daniel Miehm.

Peterborough Campus Ministry exists to accompany students at Trent University and Fleming College. If you are a post-secondary student and are looking to deepen your faith, join a vibrant community of students and young adults, or are simply curious about Catholicism and the Catholic Church, then you belong in our chaplaincy! Visit www.ptbocampusministry.ca, & register to join our contact list.
Jesus Youth invites all youth & young adults 16–20 yrs old to Dead Man Walking, an annual three-day residential retreat for those heading into their final years before university, a gap year, or the workforce. Held at Valley of the Mother of God, Orangeville on October 16-18th. Featuring  Jason Evert, internationally renowned Catholic speaker & Steadfast Worship, Toronto’s own favourite Catholic worship band. Registration 647 2708592 dmw.jesusyouth.ca Email dmw.ontario@jesusyouth.ca

Men In Black Concert St. Mary’s in Lindsay is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Men In Black concert. Wed Sept 30. Glenda 705-340-5357 lindsayCWL27@gmail.com

World Youth Day 2027 – Seoul, South Korea! Join Us! The Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is inviting all Catholic young adults aged 18-39 to participate in our Pilgrimage to Seoul, South Korea for World Youth Day 2027 from August 1 – August 13, 2027 led by Fr. Daniele Muscolino. For prices, dates, itinerary, requirements and application, visit:  bit.ly/wyd27  Deadline to Apply is Sept. 25, 2026.