2026 Cycle A - 25 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Homily Theme

His Way

In the first reading this Sunday, the Prophet Isaiah invites us sinners to gaze at the sky and see how far it  is  above the earth. He says, God’s ways  are so  far above our ways  that we are unable to grasp  the infinite  ways of God, who continually forgives us and invites us to receive His un-earned, infinite, merciful love. The psalm response today tells us God is near to all who call upon Him. LASTT week we celebrated the Exultation of the Holy Cross. This feast reminds us that God’s ways are definitely not our ways. Which of us would die a fearful, painful death for the sins of others? Which of us would be stripped naked and scourged and when they crowned with thorns and still love and forgive those who did it to us?  And that is not our way but it is God’s way and it demonstrates His infinite love for even the greatest sinner. His love for you is greater than all the water in the oceans.

In the second reading, St Paul says, he is caught between two ways:  whether to live and continue preaching the Gospel or to die and leave this world to be with Christ: The decision was not his to make. He will be to be imprisoned and to finally suffer martyrdom. He reminds us to conduct ourselves in a way worthy of Christ and that will be the right way for us too. Just follow God each day in love.

In the Gospel, Jesus gives us a parable that demonstrates another aspect of God’s ways. The parable about the workers in the vineyard all being paid the same wage regardless of the hours worked. This way of payment would not be an acceptable way for our modern day . Bu' God’s ways are not our way or theirs. Jesus ends the parable by telling us the first shall be last and the lasts first.  That is not the way of the worldly. Who was the first to be told that he would be in paradise with Christ?  It was not the first followers of Christ but the Good Thief who was on the cross next to Jesus. A humble repentant sinner who had lived a life of sin and evil was the first to publicly accept His salvation.  He was last in the eyes of the world and became first Saint at the Crucifixion.  It is never too late to repent of our sins as long   as we are alive to seek salvation: that is God's way.

Whenever we are confused let us remember today’s readings and be reminded to look up at the sky and see how far it is above the earth and then remember how far God’s ways are above our ways. Look at a crucifix and see Jesus with outstretched nailed hands. He will say to each of us, even if we are late comers to the Faith.         

“I have love you this much”   That is God’s way.