GOD CAN DO MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER ASK

 Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Isa 55:6-9; Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-19 (R.v.18a); Phil 1:20c-24, 27a; Matt 20:1-16a

GOD CAN DO MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER ASK

May the peace of Christ which is beyond all things dwell with you. Amen.

After a long time of suffering in exile, the prophet of the Deutero-Isaiah had, right from the beginning, in Isaiah 40:1, embarked on the project of comforting and encouraging the people. Throughout the book (Isa 40:1 – 55:13), he prophesied restoration and the coming of the Messiah. At the end, in Isaiah 55, he reminds the people that God is able to provide all that they need, but they need to do one important thing: to come back to God (cf. Isa 55:6).

As we gradually approach the end of the Church's liturgical year as well as the end of the civil year, that call of the prophet is equally made to us to remind us of our own inevitable end.

To prepare for that end, St Paul, in his letter to the Philippians encourages us to live in Christ always in such a way that we might never be afraid or worried about living or dying, because alive or dead, we belong to Christ (see Phil 1:20-24).

Most times, what makes us lose touch with Christ is our pursuit of ephemeral things. Yet, paying more attention to Jesus is really all we need. The Psalmist said that "The Lord is close to all who call upon him" (Ps 145:18). Have you called on God to take care of those little worries that are dragging you away from the vineyard of God? Remember that it is almost time for harvest! Are you ready to give an account of your stewardship?

In case you see yourself in a distant land from the vineyard of God, never lose hope. God is ever ready to welcome you back in the same way the Father welcomed the Prodigal Son (cf. Luke 15:11-24). He only needs you to take a step back home.

In the light of the above, the Gospel (Matt 20:1-16) encourages us to fill our minds with the benevolence of God and so never think that any sin of ours is beyond God's mercy. God does not think as man thinks, and his mercy extends from everlasting to everlasting upon those who seek him (cf. Ps 103:17).

So what are you waiting for? "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; all other things will be added for you" (Matt 6:33). "Place all your worries on him since he takes care of you" (1Pet 5:7).

Think of this! Assuming the labourers refused to follow Jesus when he invited them into his vineyard, do you think they would have received the payment he made to them? Today, as you hear his voice, harden not your heart.

May God give us the grace to wait on him in all things, and as we place all our hope on him, may his generosity be ever abundant in our life. In the end, may eternal life not elude us through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed and spirit-led Sunday. Peace be with you.

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