Deacon Matt's Reflection

Reflection for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Isaiah 55:6-9: Today, Isaiah is offering us encouragement to call upon God, in our every need. Do notice, however, that the prophet’s words are spoken with some urgency. We must remember that the window for approaching God’s mercy may be less wide than we think… our deaths may approach at any time; sooner than we think. Reflect the words the prophet carefully chooses: “Seek the Lord, while He may be found…” “call to Him, while He is still near.” We’re being subtly reminded, today, that our lives are short. God’s mercy and goodness so far exceed any virtues we possess, but we mustn’t put off repentance. The time to approach God’s mercy and prepare for death is now. Isaiah’s comforting words about God’s vast mercy and love tell us not to be afraid; but to approach God with faith and confidence in His love, mercy and forgiveness.

Psalm 145: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.” Now, contemplate the reassuring message of this psalm. The psalmist reinforces Isaiah’s reassurance that God awaits, with longing, our approaching Him for mercy and forgiveness. Ponder the fact that our loving God yearns for us to approach Him! Like Isaiah, the author of this psalm also reminds us that God is just, as well as merciful. God’s justice is worth reflection. If we continue to sin and become presumptuous of God’s mercy, we’re actually ignoring the fact that God is also just and removing ourselves further away from God. This is a reminder for us to go regularly to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; keeping us ever near to God. Frequently accessing God’s mercy and love, through the Sacraments, keeps us ever close to God and avails us of God’s fountains of graces and forgiveness.

Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a:  Today, Paul’s reflection upon life and death demonstrates the fact that Paul has been preparing himself for death, by living a good life. Paul has devoted his entire life to serving God and extending the Kingdom of God. He’s humble in his attitude and despite his many good works and accomplishments for the Church; he approaches God with reverence and respect; without a sense of entitlement. Ponder this week that despite the importance of doing good works, we must remember that we could never save ourselves. We all depend upon God’s mercy and love for Salvation. We can’t earn Heaven. God’s mercy and love are the only doorway to Heaven… and the key to the door is Jesus’ Sacrifice of Himself, for us, on the Cross! Glory to God, forever! Thanks be to You, O Most Blessed Trinity, now and forever!

Matt 20:1-16a: Ponder all that we’ve reflected upon, in the readings above. God awaits our reaching out to Him for mercy and forgiveness, but the time of our lives is limited. Jesus reinforces this when He shares the parable about the workers in the vineyard. We can begin answering God’s call to work in His vineyard, (enter the Church); at any “time of day,” (any point in our lives)… and we’ll still receive the same “full wages,” our Salvation.

We can be thankful for God’s extravagant charity, but must never presume that we’ve “earned it,” or deserve more, because we turned to God, earlier than someone else. The “privilege” of answering God’s call, sooner is also a gift from God, and not something we’ve earned. Our God is all good and all good, ultimately comes from Him. We’re left today with the ponderous Truth: our God far surpasses us!

Be awestruck! 
Deacon Matt