The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today's Gospel reading (Saint Matthew 20:1-16) is the parable of the laborers hired at various times to work in the vineyard. Though the laborers worked varying parts of the day, each received the same wage. Everyone was given a fair wage for a day's labor, even though some worked less than a day.

We are the laborers in the parable, and Jesus is the Householder Who has hired us. Our time here on earth is our day's labor. Our wage is eternal happiness in Heaven. There is no physical or material equality here on earth but in Heaven. Some saints are called from their infancy into the Church and live a long life here on earth serving God. Some saints are called from infancy and live a very short life here on earth serving God. Some live a while and then are called to serve God late in their lifetimes.

In the spiritual life, we are reminded to pray for the grace of final perseverance. How we end this life here on earth determines our eternity. Beginning well is not enough; we must also finish well. Many are tempted to put off their labors for God and the reward for their souls until the last hour. They wish to remain idle. This isn't very reasonable because they do not know when their life will end. Only those who start their labors have any hope of finishing them. Only those who labor will receive the wage offered.

We have entered the vineyard when we were baptized. The Church here on earth is the vineyard. We here on earth are called "the Church Militant" because we must work and even fight for God's greater honor and glory. This term, "the Church Militant", refers to the collective body of believers who are actively engaged in the spiritual battle against the forces of evil. The devils, the world, and our fallen natures are constantly tempting us to spiritual idleness. The cross seems too hard, too heavy, etc., so we are tempted not to take it up — not labor in the vineyard. It doesn't seem "fair" that others only have to carry the cross for a short while, while it appears that God wants us to carry our cross for a longer time. These and similar thoughts are selfish and childish foolishness.

Even if we were to spend all the rest of our time laboring in this vineyard for God, Heaven is still a gracious gift from God. The goodness of God in giving us a day's wage of eternal happiness in Heaven far exceeds any merits we have earned in serving Him.

However, our labors are not as difficult as we tend to imagine. If we trust Jesus, faithfully deny ourselves, and take up our daily cross to follow Him, we will find our labors sweet, light, and pleasant. Serving Jesus in this life is immensely satisfying and rewarding. Few will believe it because few are willing to do it. Perhaps the question we need to ask ourselves is, what are we willing to do for the love of God? What are we willing to do to earn the wage of eternal life in Heaven? How much do we love God? Remember, the joy of serving God far surpasses any earthly reward.

It appears that we truly need young men to heed the call of Jesus and enter the priestly life to labor for souls. Young men need to be encouraged to set aside their idleness and embark upon serving God and the Church in saving souls. The labors seem impossible as we look from the outside, but with the grace of God, as we begin, we find that they become lighter, sweeter, and even pleasant. With Saint Paul, faithful priests discover that we can do all things in Him Who strengthens us. Remember, God's grace is always with us, making our burdens light and our labors sweet.

We also need young men and women to heed the call of Jesus to dedicate their lives in the religious state. Religious engage in active labor by teaching, nursing, and serving others for the love of God, and in contemplative labors in praying and worshiping God. The daily prayers of the religious unite with the prayers of the priests to render to God worship that is due to Him from all of us. Religious pick up the spiritual labors of many who must spend more time in material labors than spiritual ones. Religious turn even their physical labors into spiritual ones, as they fulfill their vows for the love of God.

In the world, we need husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, and single laity to likewise heed the call of Jesus. They are to make room in their busy lives for Jesus. Set aside some time away from the business of the world to pray and render proper love and homage to God. They are called upon to live a truly Christ-like life in the world so that others may see how to truly live as Catholics and truly love God. This is the labor they are called to. They should strive to rise above the bad habits and customs of the world and put on the virtues of true Christ-like men and women.

In our labors, we must serve God in the manner that He has given us to labor. Men must serve God as men. Women must serve God as women. Children must serve God as children. Fathers and mothers must labor for God to be the best fathers and mothers that they can be. The unmarried, including those who are single, separated, or widowed, must heed the call and labor for God in the single state. Religious must labor as religious and priests must labor as priests. Let us not become envious or jealous of other stations of life. We will only (or best) sanctify ourselves in the life that God has called us to live.

Let us pray for ourselves and those who are just beginning that they will heed God's call and serve Him truly in the life that He calls them to live.

May the Immaculate Heart of Mary inspire, guide, and protect us!

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