A Cycle – 26^th Sunday of Ordinary Time 23

Mt. 21:28-32

Paul in his letter to the Philippians tells us to “be united in heart thinking of one thing – the growth of others, their interest and purpose.”  Is unity of heart possible within the church? Or within our workplaces or within our own families?  The universal Catholic Church is remarkably diverse, and in many ways, we are not of one mind and heart about how we should worship.  Why else would we have parishes that are considered “traditional” in their approach to worship and others that are more contemporary, and some which are considered “charismatic?”  Why would a parish have “contemporary” music at one mass and more traditional music at another?  Seeking to satisfy one’s preferences explains why individuals decide to leave one parish and go to another.  Even Paul wrestled with differing opinions on what the standards for being a Christian should be like.  If he were not, then why would not be telling the church at Philippi to be of one heart.

Of course, we are united in theology and on our basic beliefs about what Jesus Christ’s death made possible for us. But how we live out that faith is certainly different within our parish, our diocese, our state, and our nation. What we hold in common is a belief in Jesus Christ whom God sent to us so that we would have life everlasting.  We are united as we gather in the Eucharistic Celebration and the common prayers of the Roman Missel.   What is different between us is how we as individuals live out our faith.  What we do to encounter God and to grow in our understanding of God, our ability to feel the presence of God and how we respond to God’s voice.   

What Paul is encouraging us to do is to stop judging ourselves by comparing ourselves to how other faith communities or other individuals live their faith.  We are encouraged to think of one thing and to stop comparing ourselves to other parishes We are to look inward and realize how far short we fall from becoming what God desires us to become.  Paul is emphasizing this when he said, “think of others as “more important than yourselves.”  We need to look inward and consider the many ways we are not united in purpose with others in our community as they serve God. How we often consider them as rivals preventing us from having success in using our gifts.

Then there are those times when we feel spiritually superior to others because we go to daily mass, and they do not?  We can begin to feel spiritually superior to others because we go to adoration daily and they do not seem to have any desire to be alone with God?  Do we feel superior to others because we serve the poor, or pray the scriptures or pray in tongues?   Or do we feel superior because our program draws more people to it than theirs?

The point Paul is making, and the point Jesus is making in the gospel of today is to strive continually to be seeking to do God’s will in your life instead of comparing yourself to others God’s call is a personal one and it is directed at you.  You follow me; you come and see; you listen to my voice.  There is an interesting passage at the end of the gospel of John when Jesus speaks to Peter about his future as a disciple. Peter turns around and sees John and asks Jesus “what about him” (Jn.21:21).   Jesus responds to that question by saying, “what if I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you, follow me” (Jn. 2122).  It is a personal call, and it demands a personal response. 

One lesson we must learn from these readings and by looking at the disciples is how much they realized their response was made individually.  Each of them was gifted differently and they did not see themselves as superior to others but as complimentary to others.  Their success was because they were dependent on the Holy Spirit.  Their success was built on the success of each other.  They learned from each other how to be depended on God and not themselves. 

They learned early what they were called to do for God was never going to be comfortable.  They would be criticized, ostracized, despised and yet they loved those who sought to silence them.  In the beginning of their discipleship as they were following Jesus and listening to him, they were constantly challenged to do something uncomfortable and seemingly impossible.  With each challenge they learned a lesson we must learn and that is to be ready to be surprised by God.  To have God demand of us something that moves us from our comfort zone to a place where we are dependent on Him. 

All those things we do to grow in our faith, those things which make us feel holy and comfortable are obstacles to our becoming unified as disciples.  Why are they obstacles because they are good for us aren’t they?  Yes, they are good things, but they do not demand anything of us but to show up.  What God wants is our hearts and our trust in His ability to work thro8gh us to impact others.  Here is a way to make those practices different; consider doing what the contemplative nuns do when they are in adoration. They pray for specific items.  Take your repetitive prayer be it the rosary, a divine chaplet novena, adoration, etc and pray for the Holy Spirit to touch those enrolled in an Alpha or Marriafge Course.  Touch those in PSR or RCIA. 

Pray for the teens in Life Tean on Retreat or those seeking healing through the prayers they submit to our prayer line.  Instead of a mediation for yourself direct your prayers toward others.  The truth is we have grown comfortable with how we live our faith and are in danger of stagnating and missing what God desires us to do for the kingdom. 

We are like that son in today’s parable, who knows what God desires us to do and yet we fail to do it because we have grown accustomed to our faith life as it is. We do not realize the mission is to go into the vineyard and help with the harvest? We are to be witnesses winning hearts for Christ.  The quest of our prayers and ministry should be to discover where is that vineyard we are called to work in. If you do not know then your quest should be to pray for insights into how you are to help others encounter Jesus Christ?