St. Pius X Parish Community | Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
St. Pius X Parish Community
2506 Wauwatosa Avenue | Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Phone (414) 453-3875 | Fax (414) 453-7570
  • Home
  • News & Events
    • News & Events
    • Calendar
    • Bulletins & Inserts
    • The Pius Press
    • Fr. Paul's Weekly Letters
    • Parish Activities
    • Email Sign-Up
    • Skate Night
  • Faith Formation
    • Child & Youth Ministry
    • Adult Ministry >
      • Adult Faith Formation Programs
      • Independent Learning
    • Resources >
      • FORMED
      • Catholic Resources
  • Get Involved
    • How Do You Want to be Involved?
    • Prayer & Worship
    • Music Ministry
    • Seniors Club
    • Pastoral & Finance Councils
    • Christian Formation
    • Additional Volunteer Opportunities
  • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • History
    • Liturgy >
      • Liturgy Schedule
      • What to Expect at our Weekend Liturgy
    • Sacraments
    • Our Sister Parish
    • Careers
    • Mass Intention Requests
    • Parishioner Information Update
    • Tuition Assistance
    • Safe Environment
  • Giving
    • Donate Now
    • Stewardship
    • Living Waters Project
    • Buy Scrip
    • Love One Another: The Catholic Campaign
  • I'm New

A Letter from Fr. Paul - Sunday, September 24th

9/21/2023

 
Our Gospel this week is one of the most challenging for us to wrap our minds around. It is the parable of the landowner who hires workers for his vineyard and pays them all the same daily wage, though some worked 1 hour and others worked 12. Naturally, those who worked 12 hours complained, as I am sure we would also: it is not FAIR that someone who worked 1 hour be paid the same as me.  After all, I worked 12 hours in the sun!
 
The key to understanding this parable is stated in our first reading from Isaiah: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.  God sees a bigger picture and He is a
merciful, loving God.  Those who worked 1 hour needed the daily wage to be able to feed their families.  The merciful God was concerned that each one be able to feed his family.
 
This parable challenges us to be merciful, also.  Would we be resentful because we lived a good life for many years and are on an equal basis with one who repented and was saved at the last moment?  Or would we rejoice, as God would, that the person was saved?
 
Are we thankful that there are programs to support the needy in our country?  Or do we complain because “I worked hard for what I have; why should they get something for nothing?”
 
The challenge this week is for us to reflect balancing justice with mercy. Are we strict and unbending, avid that each one get what he deserves?  Or are we like God, willing to be merciful and anxious that each one get the best possible?  God is very merciful and forgiving to us: we need to be the same with others.
 
Church sign of the week: Some people are hanging by the thinnest of threads.  You just might be that thread.

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

Picture
Picture
St. Pius X Parish Community
2506 Wauwatosa Avenue | Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Phone (414) 453-3875 | Fax (414) 453-7570
Parish Office Hours
Mon - Thu | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fri | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm