St. Francis Xavier Petoskey

7 hours ago

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
Matthew 20:1–16

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today’s Gospel challenges our understanding of fairness. The workers who labored all day are upset because those who worked only one hour received the same wage.

We might say, “That is not fair!”

But the landowner asks, “Are you envious because I am generous?” God does not measure us by comparison. His generosity toward another person does not diminish His love for us.

Notice that the landowner keeps going out throughout the day, looking for people to invite into his vineyard.

God never stops seeking us.

Perhaps someone has been away from the Church for many years. Perhaps someone feels unworthy or thinks it is too late to return. The Gospel reminds us: it is never too late to answer God’s invitation.

This speaks to us as a parish community. We are the vineyard. Each of us has a place and a responsibility in the life of our parish.
Some have served for many years. Others may be just beginning.
The question is not, “Why isn't someone else doing it?”

but

“Where is God asking me to serve?”

It may be welcoming someone at Mass, serving at the altar, teaching our children, singing, helping with faith formation, visiting the homebound, supporting our school, or simply reaching out to someone who feels disconnected.

There are people in our community who may be waiting for an invitation. Perhaps God is asking us to say:

“Come. There is a place for you here.”

Let us not compare. Let us not ask who came early or late. Instead, let us be grateful for God’s generosity and rejoice whenever someone comes into His vineyard.

So today, let us ask ourselves:

“Where is God inviting me to work in His vineyard?”

May Saint Francis Xavier Parish continue to be a community where everyone is welcomed, valued, and invited to share in the mission of Christ.

Amen. ... See MoreSee Less

St. Francis Xavier Petoskey

3 days ago

“No one can have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother” - Saint Cyprian of Carthage. ... See MoreSee Less

St. Francis Xavier Petoskey

7 days ago

Today’s Gospel calls us to be instruments of God’s love and mercy. The parable reminds us of the ongoing mercy of God in my own life and of His never-ending forgiveness.

How many times have I gone to confession and confessed the same sins over and over again? And yet, every time I come before God with a repentant heart, I receive His mercy and forgiveness. God never seems to grow tired of forgiving me. His mercy is always greater than my weakness.

St. Teresa of Avila once said, “I will sing of your mercies, O God.” These words remind us that our lives should become a song of gratitude for the mercy we have received.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we are not meant to keep this mercy for ourselves. We are called to share with others the same mercy and forgiveness that we have received from God. It is through sharing God’s mercy that we become instruments of His love in the world.

We are able to love with mercy because God has first loved us with mercy. We are able to forgive because we ourselves have been forgiven. When we remember how patient God has been with us, it becomes easier to be patient with others. When we remember how often God has forgiven us, we are invited to forgive those who have hurt us.

The challenge of today’s Gospel is therefore very simple but very profound: If God has been merciful to me, how can I refuse to be merciful to another?

May we never forget the mercy we have received from God. And may that mercy transform our hearts so that, wherever we go, we may become instruments of God’s love, forgiveness, and compassion.

Have a wonderful week ... See MoreSee Less