September 18, 2011

Readings for The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 55:6-9; Phil 1:20c-24,27a; Mt 20:1-16a

Today, as in the time of our Lord, the day laborers are some of the most fragile members of our community. They do not have a steady job and they depend on someone passing by and offering them some work on any given day. Like everyone else, they have families to feed, rent to pay and all the cost of daily life, but no steady income. Generally they are grateful for any work that they receive.

The parable in today's Gospel, however, is centering more on the generosity of the landowner than on the worker. The owner of the vineyard goes into the vineyard five times and is concerned about those who have not had the opportunity to work and hires them. The owner is concerned about those who are idle and are open to respond to his call. Previous to this story, Peter has asked our Lord, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” (Mt. 19:27) Peter was one of the first that was "hired" by the owner of the vineyard and he was concerned that he would receive appropriate compensation.

Reflecting on this parable one of my good priest friends, Msgr. Gary Bauler, recently remarked that the parable provides "The perfect recipe for sadness and dissatisfaction in life, always comparing ourselves to others." Lucifer was the brightest of all the Angels, the greatest of all, until he compared himself to God and became dissatisfied with his position and fell from grace. Cain and Abel, the children of Adam and Eve were both blessed by God until Cain began to compare himself and eventually murdered his brother.

I remember often as a child my mother making one of her wonderful pies and all of us siblings fighting over the size of our piece. This often resulted in none of us appreciating the piece that we received. We so often forget how much God has given us, how generous God has been towards us. The truth of the parable is that all of us are totally dependent on the love and mercy of our Lord. We have not earned anything in this life. Life is a gift, eternal life is a greater gift. We deserve nothing, but we have a generous God who has blessed us with gift upon gift. Our joy is never going to come from how many possessions we have in this world but how much we are able to share and reflect the love of God to others.

St. Paul, in today's Second reading, while he is in prison not knowing if he will live or die is able to express that gratitude to God. "Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit." (Phil 1:20- 24) Paul is able to recognize the gift of life, the joy of being able to labor in the vineyard and long for being one with God forever. Nothing could separate him from the joy of God's love. Paul found the recipe for true happiness. Happiness does not come from being first in this world, but by becoming a servant of others. As we recognize how generous God has been towards us and respond by our generosity towards others we will discover how blessed we truly are.

• Again, many thank to all who helped through their generosity with the opening of our new bookstore, especially our new bookstore manager, Jackie Armstrong. The Grand Opening was a great success and I know that the bookstore will bring great blessings to many who will grow in their faith through the items they purchase.
• Last week, the Social Justice Group from Holy Trinity Parish approached me and asked if they can encourage members of our parish to join their group and form a joint Social Justice Group for our two parishes. Of course I told them that this was a no brainier! This is how we work together as a community. I am very hopeful that members of our parish will join with Holy Trinity to help us further our Church’s great work of Justice in both our parishes.



God Bless,

Father John Provenza

Pastor