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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

21 Sep 2014

SUNDAY SUMMARY Isaiah 55:6-9 We follow the God of second chances, but we must seize the invitation. Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 The Source of all life is as near to us as our present need. Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a If we live for Christ, even dying is no loss. Matthew 20:1-16a What kind of landowner gives the same wage to all of his workers?

Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

18 Sep 2011

SUNDAY SUMMARY Isaiah 55:6-9 Don’t try measuring God’s ways against ours. There’s no comparison—thank God! Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 God is near, with mercy, kindness, and justice in hand for those who call upon him. Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a It’s a great problem to have: choosing between life and death in Christ. Matthew 20:1-16a God is more generous with mercy than we are. Is that a problem?

Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

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An invitation to new life in Christ

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Occasion: Catechetical Sunday Readings: Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a; Matthew 20:1-16a "FOR TO ME life is Christ and death is gain," Paul writes to the Philippians from prison. He is facing a very real possibility of being put to death for preaching the gospel. Paul muses whether it is better for him to die and have the joy of being with Christ, or to continue living and to work for the gospel. He concludes it is better to remain in the flesh and to labor for the Philippians! What commitment to his vocation! Paul has fully embraced the sacred call from Christ begun on the road to Damascus. He decides that fulfilling this vocation is more urgent than experiencing the personal happiness of being with Jesus in heaven. And Paul grasps the daunting challenge of his call. Fulfilling his call means becoming Christ for those he serves: "For me life is Christ." In 2 Corinthians Paul gives the striking image of himself as an ambassador of Christ-the one Christ has chosen to embody his presence: "So we are ambassadors for Christ as if God were appealing through us." As Christ's ambassador, Paul must radiate the presence of Christ in all he says and does. In the New Testament no one better articulates the role and dignity of the catechist than Paul. And we catechists could have no better model for our ministry than Paul. We have been called by God to participate in the same mission as Paul: passing on the faith. Our parishes have confirmed God's call and entrusted us with this crucial role. Today's gospel parable of the landowner and the vineyard adds another dimension to our understanding of the role of catechist, "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard." This parable of the landowner and the vineyard and equal wages for all makes most of us uncomfortable. I have a sense, however, that Paul would be quite comfortable with it. The landowner is God, and the vineyard is the kingdom of God. The parable is about God's goodness and generosity. To grasp this parable it is essential to realize that the parable is not about labor relations; it is about the kingdom of heaven. Paul knows from experience that the invitation to the kingdom of heaven is never something earned or deserved. Paul himself was on his way to persecute the followers of Jesus in Damascus when he received his initial invitation to the kingdom. Paul realized that his invitation was pure gift, pure grace-who could be more undeserving! And God the landowner invites laborers into his vineyard at any time—dawn, nine, noon, three, and five o'clock. The invitation is extended to everyone and always comes as pure gift, unearned and undeserved. And for all, accepting God's invitation to the kingdom brings with it the same wages, the same reward: life in Christ! For Paul this experience of new life in Christ was so overwhelming that in 2 Corinthians he compares it to a new creation: "Whoever is in Christ is a new creation." And for all, accepting God's invitation to the kingdom brings with it the same wages, the same reward: life in Christ! Through God's grace we catechists are already experiencing this new life in Christ. Our awesome vocation is to pass on what we have been given. So the task of the catechist is not simply to inform others accurately of the gospel message, nor even to witness to the power of the gospel in their own lives, as important as these are. The real task of the catechist is much more daunting: to invite others to experience this new life in Christ. We become catalysts—yes, even living sacramental symbols—of the new life Jesus promises to believers. By word and example we help others open themselves at an ever deeper level to the Holy Spirit of Jesus so they, too, can enjoy with us this new life in Christ. Catechetical Sunday is a good time to ask ourselves whether we are fully embracing our call as catechists. Do we thank God for the gift of our vocation? Do we realize that our call to serve is from Christ and so Christ has chosen us also to be his ambassadors? Do we trust that Christ who chose us will also empower our ministry, allowing his presence to radiate through us so we may draw others to deeper commitment to him? Can we say with Paul, "For me life is Christ" and be catalysts for passing on that life to others?

Authors Father Richard J. Hauser S.J.

Special occasion catechetical sunday Isaiah 55:6-9 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a parable of the workers in the vineyard

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

24 Sep 2017

SUNDAY SUMMARY Isaiah 55:6-9 Looking for God? Try the neighborhood of mercy and forgiveness. Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 (18a) The Lord is near enough to hear us when we call out. Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a For the devoted believer, the equation is simple: Life is Christ. Death is gain. Matthew 20:1-16a Laborers question the ludicrous pay scale of the vineyard owner.

Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

20 Sep 2020

SUNDAY SUMMARY Isaiah 55:6-9 God doesn’t think as we do, especially when it comes to generosity. Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Praise God for divine justice and mercy. Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Life and death in Christ are both desirable states for the believer. Matthew 20:1-16a Is it fair that those who labor a lot or a little get the same pay in the end?

Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

24 Sep 2023

SUNDAY SUMMARY Isaiah 55:6-9 God thinks differently than we, so we lift up our hearts to know God’s will. Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 God is closer than we think. All we have to do is look. Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Paul prefers life in Christ to his own life on Earth. Matthew 20:1-16a Is God unfair? Or is God’s justice better than ours? Season of Creation materials available here.

Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

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