Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 133

What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?'
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

The parable of the Landowner is one of my favorites, perhaps because my father became a man with the Marine Corps in the South Pacific. He governed his family justly and felt no need to explain himself to his children.

Because we imagine God as our fathers magnified, I still think of God as both stern and affectionate. I remember with great fondness the joy of fishing with my dad. But we were not buddies, pals, or friends. He was Dad and I was his son. There's something wrong when adults say their best friends are their preteen children. Apparently, they have no friends. 

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.

Our faith in God begins with reverence. Or, as the Bible says, in "Fear of the Lord." I understand many of my generation intensely dislike the word fear when speaking of spirituality. Many had bad experience of that "Greatest Generation." Some threatened and beat their children into submission. More than fear, they dreaded and loathed that abuse.

A friend told me of how his father threatened his sons with an iron hard fist. But when he finally struck one of his sons, the boy realized he'd survive the blow. And it wasn't that bad. He lost all respect for the man who was not worthy to be called Father, and left home shortly after. They were never reconciled.

We hear many threats in the Bible, as the Hebrew prophets fumed about the dreadful ways of Jerusalem's kings and priests. The "holy city" did not fear the Lord; but it trembled like leaves in the forest before the powers of Egypt, Syria, and Babylon. Jerusalem acted no differently than any other city; so why shouldn't it suffer the fate of all human cities? The LORD had provided them with holiness, freedom, security, and prosperity; but some irrationally hoarded wealth despite God's assurances. Widows were neglected, orphans were homeless, and aliens were unwelcome. When Jerusalem abused God's blessings and ignored His warning, what should He do but withdraw his blessings, and let the pieces fall where they will.

The rape of Jerusalem by Assyrian and Babylonian armies was dreadful. Many were slain and the elite who were not taken into the Babylonian captivity, fled from Judah, never to return. The poorest of the poor inherited a wasted land. It was the "Crucifixion of the Old Testament;" and only a remnant would return from the Diaspora.

But God had sworn everlasting fidelity to Abraham, Moses, and David and He does not abandon his Holy People. Anyone who despises Abraham's descendants today -- whether Jews or Christians -- despises God, regardless of what they say. They will suffer the fate of ancient Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. Only God's people survive the ages; and only because God is faithful. His Word endures forever.

But infidelity to God did not cease when the Church was revealed. The gods of efficiency today, with promises of peace, prosperity, and security, demand abortions, euthanasia, artificial insemination, and surrogate pregnancy. Communist versions of security liquidate millions of people. Meanwhile, our human sciences. lacking reverence, generate nonsense. We have only to hear artificial intelligence, without fear or reverence, promise "Better Living through Progress" at the cost of human dignity. 

Tragic stories remind us that the Love of God is life itself, both demanding and serious. We dare not live recklessly or put off listening to His Voice. I have met elderly Catholics who suffer alcohol-related dementia and cannot hear the words of assurance their priest offers. They waited too long. We pray for them – "May God have mercy on them." – and hope that perhaps our faith in a merciful God might make a difference on the Judgment Day.

Like human life, God’s love is demanding and serious. I learned that also from my father, who’d seen war in the edenic islands of the South Pacific. When our human nature doesn't get what it wants, it reverts to aggression and violence; and there is no compunction, remorse, or regret in that struggle. The killing is arbitrary. Anywhere, anytime, anyone may be called to give an accounting of their life.

And so we practice reverence, devotion, awe, or – as I prefer – The Fear of the Lord. It is not easy or fun. It entails prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – that is, real sacrifice. The Old and New Testaments warn us against hypocritical piety:

Do not put your trust in these deceptive words: “The temple of the LORD! The temple of the LORD! The temple of the LORD!”

Only if you thoroughly reform your ways and your deeds; 

if each of you deals justly with your neighbor; 

if you no longer oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow; 

if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow after other gods to your own harm; 

only then will I let you continue to dwell in this place, 

in the land I gave your ancestors long ago and forever. 

But look at you! You put your trust in deceptive words to your own loss. (Jeremiah 7:4-7)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 1:7) Our fidelity and knowledge begin with reverence for God. Our marvelous human sciences must bow in grateful worship before the Landowner who owes no one an explanation for his generosity.

Yet even now—says the LORD—

return to me with your whole heart,

with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Rend your hearts, not your garments,

and return to the LORD, your God,

For he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,

and relenting in punishment.

Perhaps he will again relent

and leave behind a blessing. (Joel 2:12-14)