From the Pastor - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Though we can never fully grasp the infinite perfection of God and His ways, a basic knowledge of Scripture reveals that God’s logic often differs from worldly logic.
Our first reading, from Isaiah, reminds us that God often thinks bigger than we do. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” As His followers we must strive as best we can to think as God does, using our time (and our talents and treasure, too) with eternity in mind.
In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus offers us a glimpse of the “Godly logic” of the Father through a parable of a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard. Some workers are called early in the day, others not until very late. Yet the landowner pays them all a full day’s wage. This angered the laborers who had worked longest. But those laborers were relying on human logic and human calculations. They were not thinking as God does.
This can happen to us Christian stewards as well. We can grumble and complain (at least internally) when we compare ourselves to others and sense that not everyone is contributing as much as we are to the parish, the neighborhood, within our family and so on. At those moments, we need to think bigger!
We must remember that it is a great privilege to have been called by the Father to work in His vineyard. Living the stewardship way of life brings us meaning, depth and purpose.
Let’s embrace this Godly thinking and thank Him for calling us to this way of life. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2023.
Pastoral Pondering
Next Sunday, October 1, is the annual Life Chain. Even though the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, the fight for Life continues in each state. The Legislature overturned Governor Cooper’s veto and so, except for some carve outs, abortions are prohibited after 12 weeks in North Carolina. Nonetheless, they are still legal in NC.
One of the accusations often made against pro-lifers by abortion supporters is that we only want to prevent abortions and not do anything to assist those in difficult circumstances who become pregnant. While this is a blatant lie, St. Mark is beginning anew to address this specific need. Walking with Mothers is an effort encouraged by the Diocesan Office of Family Life which provides direct assistance to pregnant mothers in need. The apostolate is being sponsored by our Respect Life Committee and is being chaired by Liz Swanson who formerly served as our Stewardship coordinator.
Next Weekend we will be providing more information about this important apostolate and at the weekend Masses October 7/8 we will be collecting diapers for distribution to those in need. The Church’s teaching is in support of life, both born and unborn. This includes caring for mothers in need. St. Mark is one of the most generous parishes that I have been associated with, and I know that you will support this new effort wholeheartedly.
Finally, a reminder that October 1 through October 6 the priests of the Diocese will be on retreat. As such, there will be no Masses celebrated that week. There will be some type of prayer offered during the normal Mass times, and that information will be shared next week.