Dear Parishioners,

Imagine there are four houses on your street. You own the house on the corner and it is worth $400,000.00. The house next to you is worth $300,000.00. The third house is worth $200,000.00 and the last is worth $100,000.00. 

Imagine you were offered $500,000.00 for your house. You would be thrilled and sell it for that amount. The next day you learn that the other owners on your block all sold their houses to the same buyer, each for $500,000.00. You get angry at the buyer and let him know it. He responds, “Did I cheat you or are you angry because I was generous?” 

This story is an attempt to put Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel into modern setting. In Jesus’ parable, the owner of the vineyard paid the late comers the same amount as those who worked all day. Those who worked all day were angry. The land owner represents God our Father. The workers represent all of us who follow God’s Will. 

The workers who came late represent the sinners who later came looking for forgiveness. They will receive the same reward as those who always followed God’s Will. 

Jesus teaches us today that God is all loving and all forgiving. There are many people who may have been great sinners but have come back to God. Jesus wants us to be happy for them, not angry that God loves them despite their sinfulness. 

We learn today that God wants us to love our neighbor and to be forgiving, just as God our Father is forgiving. In this way, we can all live as children of God and prepare to be with Him for all eternity.

Sincerely in Christ, Father Dominick