Gospel for September 24 2023 – Matthew 20:1-16A
Gospel Reflections for September 24 2023
Need financial advice?
I hope this Gospel can help …but the story of a farmer paying the same wage to workers who arrive at the end of the day to those who have worked all day long just doesn’t seem fair! He is paying too much to latecomers who clearly do not deserve it. Who would be that financially reckless?
Every family should think carefully about expenses and focus on important things, like food, clothing, and shelter. Wise families carefully discern the essentials they need most, and I often see families do that well …that is good news!
So why does Jesus present this free spending farmer to us? Perhaps we should know what the money in this Gospel …actually is. Jesus means a different kind of currency …and it is love, not cash, and His kind of love currency has no limits!
You would certainly expect to pay more cash to a worker who has been working all day than one who has just arrived, but love is a different kind of “payment” than cash.
When you love as Jesus loves …that kind of love is limitless no matter when you start work.
After all, parents love a newborn child who has just arrived in the family with the same love they have for their older children who have been around for years. God is just as generous with His love as parents are for all their children no matter when they arrive!
Real love is practical about basics like food, clothing, and shelter. I believe our parish must show that same practical love as best we can during good economic times as well as bad.
We have all kinds of features on our website with new information to help you and your family be happier, healthier, and holier. (stbrunochurch.org)
Next year we will resume the University Series during Lent, where each session connects our faith with real life. We will soon offer more resources to help us understand the Eucharist even more than you might understand now. Of course, the new HALL for ALL will benefit parishioners of all ages!
Real love is a conscious decision that wants the authentic good of another person, no matter what their age, all the way from conception to natural death. Love is the actual “currency” in any family …and certainly in the Kingdom of God.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
That scripture is troubling to those that worked the whole day but should not. I feel that employer was a generous soul being Charitable to all the workers and relieving the poverty of those unemployed. That is to be admired.
I especially like todays celebrated Saint, Padre Pio. An amazing story of a man from a very
Poor Family ,possessing the stigmata from an early age.
A priest I heard once served Mass with him as his Altar Boy. His story of that experience was mesmerizing . At the time he was a soldier in the U.S. Army and Padre Pio told him He would become ordained and become a Priest.
Should you get a chance read about Saint Pader Pio. you will be enthralled.
Yes, I also recommend reading about his life.
Thank you, Fr. Dave for your wonderful reflection on showing us
what true value real is
May we continue to develop the virtue of love in our hearts.,
Yes, always nourish the virtue of love.
Thank-You! Love is something that can’t be
explained. It has no reasons or conditions.
When I read this parable, I am reminded of a saying that has been attributed to three
different saints . “ The true measure of love
is love without measure.”
I like that quote as well.
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you a fantastic reflection.
Yes, it’s so true, the newborn is loved as much as the other children in the family! Interesting how that works!
And God willing, when we enter the Kingdom all we can take with us is our soul and everything it contains, which is worth more than any commodity in this world.
God bless.
Kathleen
Glad you liked this reflection!