Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalms 145:2-18; Matthew 20:1-16

What about the foreman? Did he try to talk the landowner out of being so generous? Did he grumble as he handed over the wages? And what would he have done if the landowner had not been on the scene? Who could possibly condemn the poor fellow if he refused to follow his master's instructions out of fear of squandering the resources entrusted to him? So I can understand why the Church acts so stingily when it comes to the sacraments, especially Eucharist. But it is also clear to me that God does not care if one of their children receives more grace than he or she has happened to earn at any particular moment. Our Parent desires to be close to all who call upon them, regardless of the caller's worthiness or cleanliness. So let us be a good foreman and pay our siblings their wages.

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 20: 1-16a

God loves all her children. He offers eternal joy to saints and sinners alike. Why should we be upset at the idea of an empty hell? How is this unfair to us? We refuse to love as God loves. We demand that the wicked be punished, that the thoughtless be sent to bed without dessert. We are like the spoiled child who throws a tantrum because our lazy brothers and sisters are given the same toys and allowance, even though they failed to complete their chores. We should be grateful that our Divine Parent's love is not as conditional and unequal as our own. It is his love to give, so who are we to be envious simply because she is generous?