HOMILY FOR TWENTY -FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
By: Fr. Boniface Ogonna
HOMILY THEME: GOD LOVE REFLECTS IN QUALITY TIME SPENT THAN QUANTITY FOR GOD.
1st Reading. Is 55:6-9
Resp. Ps: 144:2-3.8-9.17
2nd reading. Rom 1:20-24.27
Gospel. Mt. 20:1-16
On this day, we reflect on God’s unimaginable ways and love. This love is incalculable by any human standard. Hence, the Church invites us to emulate this love. All today’s readings have one thing in common: God’s Love for us.
In the first reading, Isaiah invites us to “Seek the Lord while he is to be found; call to him while he is near, and let the wicked man abandon his way…!” In this reading, we see a God who expresses his love for his people. Despite our infidelity, we also see a God who continues to search for us. A God who cares and is ready to welcome us.
In the second reading, Paul expresses his love for God and the Gospel. As Christians, often, we are pulled in two directions. We all want to go to heaven, yet this life still appeals to us. Paul had the same mixed feelings, too. Although he believed he would soon be released from prison, he knew he could fall victim to Nero’s sword.
This created a conflict in him. He longed to be with Christ, for that would be much better. However, he also wanted to live because of his love for his brothers and children in the faith. Hence, Paul’s answer to life’s most profound dilemma is, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Love for Christ, the good news, and our brethren must motivate all our actions. It must be the source of our strength.
Through this, dying or living for God or our brethren will no longer be a tragedy. Instead, it would be a witness to the gospel. It would become an expression of our love for others. Paul summarizes his reflection with the following instruction: “Avoid anything in your everyday lives that would be unworthy of the gospel of Christ.”
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In the gospel, Christ presents us with a dilemma. How could the employer pay everyone the same amount? It was difficult for the earlier (or first) group of workers to understand, just as it would be for most of us today.
The key to understanding the action of the vineyard’s owner in this parable is in today’s first reading. God reminds us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your thoughts.”
What we see in the gospel today is simply the justice of God. His justice is governed by his generosity and unconditional love for all. His action towards the last group of workers shows he is not acting according to strict justice or economics.
Instead, he is motivated by love and generosity toward all who respond to his invitation. To all of us, he has extended the same unmerited invitation. He will pay the same wage to everyone because his love is unconditional. His reward depends not on when he calls anyone but on his generous and unimaginable love for all.
What counts in God’s vineyard is not years of service but the diligence of heart as a chosen one. All men are equally precious to God, no matter when they come in. God’s reward for all in His kingdom is this: His grace extended to all who responded faithfully to His divine invitation.
Finally, what matters is that the Lord is close to all who respond to his invitation. It does not matter how and when. His love is for all.
Have a blessed Sunday celebration.