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WOF Radio > Sermons > Sermon Archive for 2011 > Sermon 558 : Seeing the World from God's Perspective : 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Sermon 558 : Seeing the World from God's Perspective : 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

9/18/2011

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Sometimes Christ does not seem fair. The Parable of the Day Laborers evokes this sense of injustice. Those who do not work as long and hard as the others get the same reward. However, Christ wants us to move beyond our sense of justice and see all according to love, God's perspective. Gratitude for the gift transforms our natural disposition to judge who deserves what into a disposition of thanksgiving.

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Comments

eamon sloan

All parables have layer upon layer of meaning. For this paticular vineyard parable I had always thought of it as being Gods way of saying he is always ready to welcome and forgive all comers, newcomers and returnees alike no matter what. This is a softer meaning than Father Robert's meaning - no disrespect. We all have family members who have slipped away from the faith. God will welcome them on their return as will the Church. In other words it is never too late in the day for people to make that choice. God stands in the marketplace all day and every day. It is up to us to help in maintaining that marketplace and practice Gods generosity. Put it another way, the marketplace is also Gods vineyard.

9/13/2011 5:34:59 AM

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Kathy

Matthew 20 makes me think of the 11th hour; so many prophets in the Old Testament, working so tirelessly with God for so many years. And how their labors cleared the path for the Messiah, and His teachings in the New Testament. Are we, are you, entering the 11th hour, with their blessings and not with envy, as you and the Church moves forward, hastening to the needs of our times. Exceptional sermon! God Speed!

9/15/2011 1:58:47 PM

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joan

Gratitude is huge. And,I think, one does have to take that step. Having what one needs vs. having or getting what one wants.

Oh yes, stepping into that place of peace and great love where one finds delight in something good happening for somebody else.

This homily offers beautiful contemplation in detachment.

When I think of the people of Somalia and East Africa, a can of soup (from the church pantry) is a great blessing to me.

9/16/2011 5:26:35 AM

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Robert Carroll

The call to the 'grumblers' is to really have solidarity with those who couldn't get work and take home pay but who finally are able to get enought to keep their families alive in tough times. The "attitude of gratitude not resentment" statement of Fr. Barron is profound!

9/16/2011 10:20:11 PM

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Peter 'Tunde Awobolaji

May the good Lord continue to endow you with more blessings as you inspire his people here on earth.

9/17/2011 6:29:20 AM

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Madonna Castro

Thank you Fr. Barron. Thank you Robert Carroll. Indeed in this very difficult time of almost absolute lack in providing for my own family (unemployment) - it is easy to resonate the “grumbling against the landowner” – I however am grateful that there are many among us who still heed the call of Christ to “Feed them yourselves” (Mt 14:6), I am able to get by with the fragments left over from the 5 loaves and 2 fish.

Blessed are you for your prayers, your blessing, for breaking the loaves, and sharing them with those who are hungry. May we all become who we eat, the Body of Christ.

9/18/2011 12:10:47 AM

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Scott Fitzsimmons

I enjoyed the entire homily; however, I took special note of the day laborer commentary. I have not noticed this before and enjoyed this particular aspect of the parable. I think that it is very fitting, especially with the current financial events, that we should be reminded to live our lives as day laborers. It seems to me, and I am just as guilty, that the world has become intoxicated with materialism. I think we now can see why materialism is so dangerous not just in a secular / worldly sense, but also in a spiritual sense as well. I have personally fallen into some significant financial hardships and have found that my understanding, appreciation, and now desire for a strong spirit of poverty has been sharply focused in my life. To this end, I know that it is going to take some time for me to shed the millstone of debt that I carry, but I also know that in the end I will be freer to serve God as he pleases.
Peace Be With You!

9/18/2011 8:37:47 AM

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Veronica

Contentment on our part and equality in the eyes of God is what i've learned in this Gospel. God bless you Father!

9/18/2011 8:58:40 AM

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Gary Ney

I read today's reading from Matthew and looked at the parable in a different light, maybe I am wrong in my interpertation. There are those who are born into Catholicism and live a life of a good Christian and Catholic their entire life, my mother comes to mind. There are those who are raised with a different religion and discover later in life that they believe in Catholicism, convert and lead lives of good Catholics, Scott Hahn comes to mind. Then there are those who are born into Catholicism and at a point in their life walk away from God and the church and live a life of self-suffiency and sinfullness, but after many consequences, they grow tired of the life they are living and come back to Catholicism and revert, I come to mind. The laborer who is called on in the dawn is the cradle catholic who lives a life worthy to be call a true Catholic, they are there for the long haul if you will. Then there is the laborer who is called in late morning, who seeks a days wage although he was unprepared in the early morning. Then there is the laborer who has squndered most of the day, but yet comes to receive a days wage for his efforts. In the end all are paid a days wage, and so it is with our faith. One who comes late in life will receive the fullness of the faith, if he is indeed repentent, has a contrite heart and lives the gospel in his daily life. If I believed that I could not have come to God in my hour of darkness then I was surely doomed. God called and I answered His call to me to come home. God Loves me even when I do not love Him. I thought of myself as unloveable, and I was in human terms, but my pastor assured me that God does indeed Love me, for I am his child and He wants me to abide in Him. And so it is, I may be a late comer, but I get all of God's gifts He wants for me, no diferent than anybody else.
God Bless

9/18/2011 1:07:26 PM

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Michael

God is always - always in the NOW.

As the robber who was on his cross was forgiven at the very last moment. (St Didmas?)

Thing is I don't want to chance it.

9/19/2011 6:07:10 AM

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ED ENR

Thank you Fr. Barron.

9/19/2011 9:48:18 PM

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rudraksha beads

God bless you barron.

9/20/2011 1:43:12 AM

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Thuy Tran

Thank you very much Fr.Barron for your weekly homily. May God always bless you abundantly with His Grace and wisdom.

9/20/2011 9:47:15 AM

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