One of the quickest things you learn as a parent is how dangerous it is to explain too much, especially when your kid is teetering on the brink of a rebellion. The fewer words you use, the more power they have. A kid who is about to be carried away by their feelings needs to be brought back to earth with a tether made of short, succinct directions.

With little more than a year until the United States’ national elections, I find myself feeling, like many Catholics, both dread and energized. Dread, because our democratic republic can be a messy endeavor and campaigns a long, nasty and unedifying slog; energized, because hope for positive societal change can be enticing and engaging. As a pastor, I see similar conflicting attitudes in those whom I serve. How can Catholics best engage our political arena in a way which is truly helpful and worthwhile?

I confess that I have a soft spot for the scary things Jesus says because they are usually ignored. But there’s gold in them thar hills, if we have courage to look. This week Jesus gives us a terrifying warning in his parable about the king who gives a marriage feast for his son and promptly goes berserk when people don’t respond. The point: those who do not properly respond to God’s generous invitation will face totally devastating consequences. The invitees who don’t show up get their city burned to the ground. The poor homeless man is tortured for not wearing the correct clothes. Scary indeed.

Dear Parishioners of St. John Paul the Great,

I hope this message finds you sipping on a warm cup of something – perhaps that daily latte from Starbucks or that delightful cup of Dunkin' Donuts brew. Speaking of which, have you ever noticed how even the smallest cappuccino nowadays costs more than that lone dollar bill often found rumpled in our collection basket?

Now, don't get me wrong! Every dollar is a gift, and we're grateful for every single one. But if you're slipping in just one, maybe try not to crumple it too much? Our collection counters have recently formed an unofficial “Unrumple Squad,” and they could use a break.

While on the topic of coffee, here's a thought! Next time you buy that $4 cup of coffee, why not set aside an equal amount as a "Coffee for Jesus?" Imagine: you're enjoying your latte, and our parish gets a little caffeinated boost too!

The second son never showed up to the vineyard. Did he get lost? Did he get tired? Did he not know where to begin?

When it comes right down to it, good intentions amount to very little. We all know this, don’t we? “Show me, don’t tell me.” “I’ll believe it when I see it.” It’s as true in the workplace and in relationships as it is in the life of the Christian disciple.

It doesn’t matter if we intend to work in the vineyard. It doesn’t matter if we promise to, if we think about it a lot, or if we make grand plans for what we will accomplish there. None of that matters if we don’t show up. Before we show up, we have to find the way.