God's Generosity - Weekday Homily Video

I have a question for you: Who’s the most generous person you’ve ever met? For me, it’s my parents, and if you asked my Dad, he’d say my Mom. They didn’t have the money of Bill and Melinda Gates, but they gave what they had in a way that brought joy to people who needed to have their spirits raised by someone who remembered and cared about them.

I thought about this question after I read and prayed over today’s gospel, especially when Jesus asked the question, “Are you envious because I am generous?”

If we’re honest, most of us would feel like those who worked hard all day in that vineyard and then saw the others who worked less and, in some cases a lot less, receive the same pay as they did. Well, Jesus didn’t have a human resources department, but what He did, and does, have is unlimited generosity, whether in material or spiritual matters.

Looking back at my folk's generosity to my brother and me, it was manifest in their sacrifice to provide us with not only the basics, but also the baseball gloves, soccer cleats, and opportunities that young boys ask for. But what I am most grateful for was their generous attention and patience.

We didn’t require as much attention as St. Augustine’s mother, Monica, gave, but we still needed our fair share of both tough love and countless second chances to do better. (Keep in mind I wasn’t the brother people thought would be a priest.)

A Spiritual Journey Perspective

If you think about today’s gospel from a spiritual journey perspective, imagine that the workers who began at dawn are the ones baptized as infants. And each group beginning at 9, noon, 3, or 5 as those who came to the faith later in life. Some might say, well, that’s a pretty good deal to cross the finish line of faith and get to go to heaven just like those who were cradle Catholics.

That’s one way to look at it, but it misses at least two key points:

• The first is the uncertainty that each of the laborers had before the landowner signed them up to work.
• The second is the profound fulfillment of working for a landowner who values your efforts, a feeling we can all relate to in our service to a generous God.

Ask anyone who has come to believe in Jesus as an adult, and they’ll tell you that their previous life was not all that they wanted it to be. There was uncertainty, and many roads traveled didn’t end with what they’d hoped for. If they could, they would have wanted to have known and loved Jesus from the time they were born.

A Multitude of Blessings

Today is a great day to thank God for His generosity to us and to our families: the gifts He has given in the people we love and friendships we share, the ability we have to work and help one another, and the meaning that our days possess through our seeking to do God’s will. I thank God for my family, beginning with my parents and all those like yourselves He’s brought into my life. I thank God for his care and attention and the countless times He’s forgiven me and led me back along the right paths, including to serve Him and you as His priest.

We all have examples of God’s generosity, and our presence at Mass is our thanks to God, one that recognizes how good and generous God has been and is to us. May we begin and end each day thanking God for what He has given to us in so many ways.

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and Rosary) on the Family Rosary YouTube page. 

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