WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: The Generous Landowner & God's Equal Love

By Father Yohanes Akoit

The Gospel reading for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time tells us the parable of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 20:1-16a). There, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a landowner who goes out to hire laborers for his vineyard. In doing so, the landowner finds two categories of laborers: those who work the entire day and those who work only part of the day. However, all of them receive the same payment. Based on this Gospel, there are many possible interpretations and positive lessons that can be drawn for our lives. One possible reflection is about equality in the eyes of God. This is the central message when we view the parable from the perspective of God's justice. And it serves also as an answer to the tendency that emerged among the laborers. It happened because those who worked the whole day expected to receive more than those who arrived later and worked for only a few hours. Yet, the landowner paid them equally. Jesus understood this tendency very well. His twelve apostles, as those who joined Him first, may have thought that they would hold a more important position. But through this teaching, Jesus wanted them to understand that He loves everyone equally. There is no distinction between those who joined first and those who joined later. Everyone is precious in the eyes of God.

Reflecting on this perspective, we can apply it to the active participation of members in our parish communities of St. Julian and St. Anthony. Our parish communities are made up of two main groups of people: those who were born and raised in these churches, and those who joined the community later for various reasons. Some came because of their studies at LMU, others because of their work, and some because they recently moved to this area. Together, we form one discipleship in Christ. And, based on our different backgrounds, we bring into this community various rites recognized by the Catholic Church, different devotions to patron saints, different songs of praise, different bodily gestures in prayer, and much more. These differences should not create polarization or draw boundaries that weaken our unity as God's disciples. God loves us equally. Therefore, inspired by God's love for us, we must remember that there is no superiority within the Church. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

In that spirit of family and togetherness, we should strive to cultivate the virtues of love, tolerance, and mutual respect among one another. It is our responsibility to build bridges across the diversity and plurality that exist within our parish communities. One simple way to do this is to remind ourselves that diversity is not a source of conflict. On the contrary, diversity reflects the many ways people worship God according to their needs and circumstances. For example, one person may choose to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, while another, for personal reasons or preferences, may choose to receive it in the hand. Both practices are equally accepted by the Church. What is most important is the disposition of our minds and hearts as we receive Jesus Christ into our lives. Let us continue to grow in our faith, and together let us build our Church. The main thing we need now is not a discussion about plurality or landowner, but participation. We need more people to serve as altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, and acolytes, and to join the Divine Mercy Prayer Group and the Knights of Columbus. Our participation helps the Church grow and become a blessing to others.

Father Yohanes Akoit is pastor of St. Julian and St. Anthony Catholic churches in Kentucky.