25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)

First Reading           Isaiah 55:6-9

Psalm                        Ps. 145 (R. 18a)

Second Reading      Philippians 1:20-24. 27a

Gospel                       Matthew 20:1-16

SEEKING GOD, SOUGHT BY GOD

Dear friends, today is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) and the last Sunday of September. We should be grateful to God for seeing us through this month and we also pray Him to aid us to dispose ourselves to his grace so that Christ will be glorified in us (Phil.1:20) and that we may avoid anything in our everyday lives that would be unworthy of the Gospel of Christ (Phil. 1: 27).

For this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A), the Gospel from Matthew (20: 1-16a) is the parable of the Vineyard Labourers. Reading the passage, we would, naturally, be tempted to conclude that the landowner was unjust in his dealings with the labourers in the equal manner he paid all of them at the close of the day when they came at different times with the seeming 'injustice' done to those who were hired at dawn. The contrast between our obvious expectations and how the landowner paid the labourers can affirm the very words of Isaiah that "my (God's) thoughts are not (our) thoughts, ways are not (our) ways" (Isaiah 55: 8).

From the parable, let us pay close attention to the various times the labourers were called. This may open us to the landowner's manner of paying them, aside from the fact that they all deserve a just wage per the Jewish economic and labour law (Lev. 19: 13; Deut. 24: 15). It is also apt to note that among the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), only Matthew has this narrative. This sole inclusion in his Gospel calls for ever greater attention because I believe that there is something special about the narrative that the author wants us to identify through a deep and further reflection. 

We notice that the author weaves in the various times the labourers were hired. The times also show the moments the landowner went out to look for labourers. Some labourers were called at DAWN, others at 9 AM (3RD HOUR), some at NOON (6TH HOUR), others at 3 PM (9TH HOUR), and still others at 5 PM (11TH HOUR).

The usual time range for work is from 6 am to 6 pm. The landowner started hiring at DAWN (PROI). This is the time preceding clear daylight. Some translations have "early morning." The time range is 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., and this is the 4th watch of the night. We also noticed that 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. corresponding to the 3rd, 6th, and 9th hours of the day are times for prayer. Jews pray at these times. In fact, from the Old Testament, we learn that the DAWN is also a time when morning prayers and sacrifices were offered (Psalm 5: 3; Exodus 28: 38-39)

These are the particular times the author says the landowner went out in search of labourers to work in his vineyard. The author has an interest in the time. 

As moments of prayer, they indicate the times when we seek the Lord. During working hours, every worker would like to work to earn wages for his well-being and that of his family, if he has one. This is the search for God. The workers were looking for jobs. But, the landowner searches for them the more. In times when we search for God, seek the Lord (Isaiah 55: 6), the Lord searches for us too. Like wanderers, he goes looking for us even as we also look for a way back to him. As we search for God in every facet of our lives, we are encouraged by the landowner's search at times of prayer, times of searching, that God looks for us too. The master needs us. 

The fact that he was still calling at different times speaks of the fact that the Vineyard is probably a large one and also that he wants work to be done quickly. Be encouraged by this and know that he wants you. 

Finally, some were called at 5 p.m. Work closes in an hour (6 am - 6 pm). The last group came at a time when the moment of grace was elapsing. They came at a moment when they were on the verge of losing a day's wage, a dinarii. This will mean a greater loss for them. The master calls us and beckons us to work for the kingdom, even at the point where we have lost it all. An hour, a moment, a point in time, even if close to the end of life, is a saving moment. 

May we be faithful to God's grace and hasten to his call to serve him to earn the wage of salvation. The Lord wants you. As you search for him, he is also searching for you. No time is late. Every time is within the saving time. 

Pax et Bonum 🕊 🙏 ❤️