The theme of today's Gospel is much like that of last week. We hear another parable of urgency, another tale of monumental stupidity, another narrative about stupid, ungrateful, self-destructive human beings.

  The idiocy of the characters in this story, like those in last week's, boggles the mind.

  How can anyone be that stupid?!

  How can people refuse an invitation to what will be a grand party!  

 Fr. Greeley's Last Book:

  Once upon a time a family had lived on a street for a long time and had no neighbors because the other lots were vacant. Then many of the lots were sold and new homes were constructed. The original family was delighted. At last they had neighbors, young people with children like themselves.

  They want to each of the new people and invited them to come to a special welcome party on the second day in October. The local priest and minister and rabbi would be there, some old timers on other streets in the neighborhood, some doctors and dentists and lawyers, the precinct captain, a famous actor who lived on the next street, and samples of food from all the stores in the area. It was a wonderful chance for everyone in the new block to get to know the rest of the community. The newcomers thought it was a wonderful idea. They could hardly wait for the party.

  Then the day of the party no one came. The wife who had brought round the invitations made some calls. An interior decorator is coming, can’t be at the party, my in-laws are visiting, can’t attend the party, soccer game in our old neighborhood, can’t come.

  So the old timers ate all the food and drank all the beer and had a wonderful time.

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Psalm 23:1-6

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me;  your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;  you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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This book has a chapter about Fr. Greeley and is dedicated to him. Great read!
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