Newsletter- 25th Week of Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners
On this 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we reflect on the unimaginable ways and love of God. God’s love for us is incalculable by any human standard. Hence, the Church invites us to emulate this love. All the readings of today have one thing in common, God’s love for us.
In the First Reading, Isaiah invites us to “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near and let the wicked forsake his way…!” In this reading, we see a God who expresses his love for his people. We also, see a God who despite our infidelity, continues to search for us. A God, who never gives up on us, cares and is ready to welcome us back to him. In the Second Reading, Paul expresses the love he has for God and for the Gospel. As Christians, often times, we are pulled in two directions. We all seek eternal life, yet this life still appeals to us. Paul had the same mixed feelings too. Although he believed he would soon be released from prison, he knew that he could fall victim to Nero’s sword. This created a conflict in him. He longed to be with Christ, for that would be much better. However, he also wanted to live, because of his love for his brothers and sisters in faith. Hence, Paul’s answer to life’s most profound dilemma is, “to live, is Christ, and to die, is gain.” Love for Christ, the good news, and for our brethren must motivate all our actions. It must be the source of our strength. Through this, dying or living for God or for our brothers and sisters in the faith will no longer be a tragedy for us. Rather, it would be a witness to the gospel. It becomes an expression of our love for others. Paul sums up his reflection with the following instruction: “Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
In the Gospel, Christ presents us with a dilemma. How could the employer pay everyone the same amount? It was difficult for the earlier (or first) group of workers to understand just as it would be for most of us today. The key to understanding the action of the owner of the vineyard in this parable, is in the first reading of today. God reminds us that: “My thoughts are not your thought, and your ways are not my ways.” What we see in action in the gospel today, is simply the justice of God. His justice is governed by his generosity and unconditional love for all people. His action towards the last group of workers shows that he is not acting in accordance with strict justice, or economics. Rather, he is motivated by love and open-handed generosity towards all people that respond to his invitation. To all of us, he has extended the same unmerited invitation. To all, he will pay the same wage because his love is unconditional. His reward does not depend on when he called anyone, but on his generous, and unimaginable love for all humanity. What counts in God’s vineyard is not years of service, but and open heart and mind a willingness to love others just as we have been loved by God. All people, no matter when they come to faith, are equally precious to God. Therefore, God’s reward for all in His kingdom, is simply His grace that is extended to all those who responded faithfully to His divine invitation. Finally, what matters I think is that the Lord is close to all who respond to his invitation. It does not matter how and when.
God’s love is for all people and it goes beyond our human understanding and the boundaries we so often place upon it, it extends outwards to all people who respond generously to his call, and Gods love for us has no limits and his love is eternal and will never come to an end.
Home Mission Sunday 19th/20th September 2026: Those with long memories will be familiar with Home Mission Sunday. It is the title given to the day we are asked to pray for the work of evangelisation and to support this vital work through a second collection. A few years ago, this Sunday was re-named Evangelii Gaudium Sunday after Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation the ‘Joy of the Gospel’. Now, in 2026, we revert to using the original name – Home Mission Sunday.
On Home Mission Sunday, the bishops of England and Wales ask all the faithful to look for ways in which we can all do our part in sharing the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus Christ. When we speak of ‘Home Mission’ we are not neglecting our sisters and brothers around the world (World Mission Sunday gives due attention to this important work), but we recognise that we are called to witness to Christ in our homes, at work, or in our educational establishments, in our friendships and in every aspect of our daily life.
Through our second collection at all our Masses this weekend we will be helping to support the work of the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate. The work of encounter and evangelisation is promoted through the Directorate for Mission. Through this directorate, the vision of the Holy Father is embraced in a fuller way and promotes the whole ideal of proclamation, evangelisation, dialogue and catechesis.
With my prayers for you and for your families during the coming week ahead,
Your parish priest and friend,
Father Jonathan
2026 20th September – Newsletter – Download