God's Kingdom Works Differently - Weekday Homily Video

At one time or another, as human beings we tend to compare ourselves to others, “I am smarter” or “he/she is better than me”, or “I am a hardworking and conscientious individual and they are not.” Constantly comparing ourselves to others can easily lead to feelings of pride, jealousy, resentment towards others, friends, colleagues, or even our loved ones. The habit of comparison can stain relationships and create a sense of competition rather than fostering genuine connections and support. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of Joy.” 

In today’s gospel, we have laborers who worked all day and received their payment, complaining to the master for paying the same wage to those who came later in the day. The issue being, how could those who did less than a day’s work be entitled to a day’s wage? Yet, all were paid what had been agreed upon prior to starting work. They are getting worked up because they are comparing the amount of time and energy invested in the whole day as opposed to just a few hours or minutes.  

A Challenging Parable

The key phrase for us to reflect upon in this parable is, “The kingdom of heaven is like....” This phrase illustrates what Jesus meant when he presented this parable to his disciples. The parable is trying to reveal to us something of the way God works and relates to us. If we are to go by subjecting ourselves to comparison, we will soon discover that God’s kingdom works differently. God’s ways do not conform neatly to our sense of fairness or justice. In the kingdom of heaven, we all have equal opportunity for salvation and blessings that God offers to those who believe in him regardless when they each decided to seek him. The parable challenges our idea of fairness and reminds us of the unconditional love and generosity of God. God’s grace is open to those who have labored a lifetime for him and those who come at the last hour.

One time I had a retreat at the Gethsemane monastery in Kentucky. Watching and praying with the monks in their chapel, you could not fail to notice that everything is structured around seniority. Where people sit, who signal the start of prayers, who receives holy communion first during Mass, how they leave the chapel after liturgy. Those who have been around in the monastery longer command more respect than their juniors. This is not the case with the kingdom of heaven that Jesus preaches to us. His kingdom has no room for measure, compare, and count. God does not bestow grace based on the number of hours served, but according to the depth and sincerity of each soul‘s response to his invitation. God is so gracious and generous with His love that where we as human beings hold back, he gives without limits. We discriminate; He embraces all without distinction. For Him, what is important is not how early or how late we respond to His call, but that we respond at all.

In the practical sense, God does not dwell on the weight of our sins. He does not count how many years we may have wandered away. What matters to Him is the moment we turn back, the moment we say yes to His invitation of love. His mercy is never too late; His generosity never runs dry. He does not relate to us on the basis of what we have earned or deserved. His generous love is a pure gift; it is not a reward for labor rendered. He does not ask us to be deserving but to be receptive, and then to share what we receive from Him with each other

• Today’s Readings
  
  
• Father Fulgens' inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
  
  
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