Education in Faith

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Opening prayer

Generous and giving God, 

you created the world with enough for everyone. 

Help us to share what we have been given and 

make sure all your people have enough. 

Amen.

Gospel Summary: 

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells us a story about some workers who all receive the same wages, even though some worked all day and some just worked for an hour. Does that sound right to you? Let us think some more about this today. 

The vineyard owner hired five groups of labourers. Each subsequent group began work later in the day. When the owner hired the first group, they agreed on a fair wage. At the end of the day, he called in the workers and began paying them, the last ones first. Of course, the early morning crew saw the later ones getting a full day's wage and excitedly anticipated a bonus for themselves. When they were paid, they received only the negotiated amount. "It's not fair!" was their cry.

Jesus is showing us that God’s idea of fairness (sometimes we use the word justice), is different from ours. God’s fairness is about making sure that every single person gets what they need, no matter what their situation.

God gives us what we need and not just what others think we deserve. He is generous and created a world with enough for absolutely everyone. 

Let us make a list of gifts God has given our family. They may be things that we can see and touch, or they may be intangible gifts like character, health, or intelligence. 

Let us ponder:

I am sure, for us to know that this Gospel illustrates a human response! But our human ways are not God's ways. God's generosity is sometimes beyond our understanding. Imagine what a world it would be if we rejoiced in generosity and good fortune of others. Think of a time when you felt something was unfair? How did it make you feel? What did you do about it? How many times do children point out that someone got more than they did? Do you think our family has more gifts than some other families? Do all the gifts have to have material value? Are there some families we know who have gifts that cannot be measured in dollars and cents? What does all this say to us about God's generosity?

How can I reflect on the Gospel:

• Do you think everyone in our world does have enough food and water? 
  Why/why not? Do you think this is fair? Do you think this is what God wants?
• How can we help make sure that all people get their fair share of the good things that God has given us?
• We can try hard not to take more than we need and make sure we don’t waste food, water or energy.
• We can be generous with what we have, like the landowner in the story, sharing what we have with others.
• We can try to make a change to our world so that it is a fairer place for all people to live. Sometimes we can make a difference by ourselves.
• What will you do this week to try to help make sure that all people around the world get their fair share of the things that God has given for us all?

Closing prayer 

Living Lord, 

we give thanks for your generosity and love. 

Help us to take no more than we need, 

to share all that we have and to work together for change 

so that the world becomes a fairer place for everyone. 

Amen. 

Sacramental News

Year 6 Families -  A Date for your Diary

A Parent/Child Workshop will be held on Wednesday, 14th October 2020.

Further information will be available closer to the date.

Rozeta Ambrose  -  REL- Sacraments

rambrose@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au