This Sunday is the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel comes to us from Matthew 20:1-16a. Jesus tells his disciples a parable about a generous landowner. He hires laborers at dawn, at nine o’clock, at noon, at three in the afternoon and at five o’clock. At the end of the day, he pays all of the laborers the same wage. Those hired first were not pleased with this. The landowner, however, has cheated no one. Those hired first agreed to work for the usual daily wage. They received the agreed upon wage. The landowner is free to do as he wishes with his money. He is free to be generous to those hired later in the day.
Our Lord will not be outdone in generosity. It is never too late to go to Christ. Our Lord shocked those who considered themselves to be “righteous” by reaching out to those considered to be “sinners,” “pagans” and “outcasts.” Indeed, our Lord himself said that those who are sick need a doctor.
All of us are in need of the healing mercy of God. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah (55:6-9) tells us,
"Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts."
If it has been some time since you celebrated the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, please consider coming back. It is a beautiful gift from God and a tremendous spiritual gift that you can give to yourself. Please consult our bulletin and website for more information about when the sacrament is offered. Of course, you can schedule a time with one of the priests anytime by making an appointment.
Let us never cease seeking the Lord with all our hearts.