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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Fr. Tom Farrell

How often have we heard someone say That’s not fair! How do we judge things to be fair or unfair? Chances are it’s by our own definition of what we feel is right or wrong

or how things pertain to usbut how we look at things is not how God sees things.

In our first reading from Isaiah we read: My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are My ways your ways, says the Lord. Prior to this statement we hear the wordsLet the scoundrel, forsake his way and the wicked his thoughts Let us turn to the Lord for mercy – to our God who is generous - in forgiving       

After reading todays gospel about how the landowner paid all his workers the same wage one could easily look at the greater amount of time some of the workers spent in the vineyard to judge how each should be paid. Those who put in an entire days work compared to those who arrived later in the day.

But Jesus isn’t looking at the amount of time everyone worked. He is looking at their commitment to their labors. Jesus is using this story to relate it to our faith - to those who discover their faith early on and invest their entire lives in living it out - to those who discover their faith - at a later time in life - yet - who are just as invested in it.

Jesus doesn’t determine who gets into heaven by who is first - but it is determined - by one’s love and faithfulness and desire - to be with him.

I can’t help but call to mind the two criminals hanging on the cross beside Jesus with one of them mocking Jesus saying: Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us while the other man rebukes him by responding: Have you no fear of God? You have been subject to the same condemnation - and have been condemned justly - for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal -the repentant thief then says: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom to which Jesus replies: Amen I say to you: this day you shall be with me in paradise. No sooner does Jesus - forgive the repentant thief - than he himself cries out: Father into your hands I commend my Spirit and breaths his last. Talk about making it under the wire to receive Gods mercy - to be forgiven just before - his last breath.

Just because someone converts later in life - doesn’t mean they should be rewarded less.  St Paul, who was a persecutor of Christians and an accomplice to the stoning of St Stephen - still becomes the very means by which Jesus would bring many people to the faith. During his newfound faith, Paul even asks himself the question: “Why do I do the things I do and not the things I want to do?” (Roms 17) and yet in spite of his weaknesses - God continues to work through him and Paul proves his loyalty as he continues to bring the gospel - to people of all nations

What I feel we need to focus on right now is not on how long people work in the vineyard  but on how dedicated they are in their work. - I recently read that

 “The highest ideal that a laborer can have - is to be a person who works with love.”

   and that “It is only with the heart that one can work diligently. which means one’s  

   ability to show they care and are very consciousness - in how they do their duties   

Many of us are what one refers to as cradle Catholics - which means we had our faith from infancy (or to take the statement literally - since we were in the cradle) which sometimes can cause one to fail in continuing be invested in their faith as they often take it for granted, whereas those who come into the faith at a later time, often become more fervent in their faith. Perhaps we need to look at how invested we are in our faith

Vincent Van Gogh – a famous Dutch painter – from the 1800’s once said –

I feel that I am rich… not in money but because I found in my work something to which I can devote my heart and soul and which gives meaning and inspiration to my life. I think it a blessing – when people find their work and even though I have lots of difficulties and there are many gloomy days in my life. I count myself among the fortunate, If at times I feel rising within me the desire to have a life of ease, I’d go back fondly to a life of hardship convinced that I learn more from it - as this is not the road on which one perishes.

Surely it is not a better thing - but a privilege to have been working all day long - or should I say our entire life long - in the lord’s vineyard - for the joy of serving the lord rather than hanging around the market place all day without having any meaning or purpose in my life – if God takes pity on those - who throughout their lives have been wandering aimlessly around and then treats them with the same – kindness and compassion - he has been showing us when they finally do arrive a the vineyard - why should this offend us?

it didn’t offend St Monica, when he husband converted just before he died or when her son after 33 years away from the faith finally came into the church. She was praying for their conversion

If someone being paid the same wage after coming to work in the vineyard at the last hour of the day - offend us perhaps it is telling us about the poor quality of service we have for God - as it would show - the lack of compassion and love we have for others – the same love and compassion - God has been showing us –

It would also show that our understanding of service is tainted with self-interest and may even suggest that we mistakenly think we can accomplish things on our own without God’s help.

The highest ideal to which any of us can aspire – is to work with love and while it is not always easy - its rewards are greatIt is only with the heart that one can truly give of himself completely. If my heart is not in my work, my purpose on earth has little meaning but if my heart is in everything that I do - my life becomes a life of joy adding great meaning and purpose to it. It’s not the length of service that we have given that counts but It is the amount of love - that we have shown while doing it                   

As Vincent Van Gogh said - I feel that I am rich… not in money - but because I found in my work something to which - I can devote my heart and soul which gives meaning and inspiration to my life.To have meaning and inspiration and purpose in my life only comes - from faith in Jesus Christ  

Find your purpose in life - devote your heart and soul to Jesus. Pray unselfishly to him as did St Monica and did many of the saints - that others find their way to the vineyard. Be compassionate to others, be loving to others, be like Christ to others Then you won’t be concerned about what is fair or unfair or about how much time you spent in the vineyard. but your only concern - will be with how much you love.  

Your work needs to be something to which you can devote my heart and soul - which gives meaning and purpose to your life. find in your work - a love for your God and - a love for your neighbor - and you will find meaning in your life 

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