25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMES 20TH SEPTEMBER 2026

The passage presents a central message of Isaiah, God’s ways and thoughts are fundamentally different from those of human beings. This difference is comforting because God offers liberation from human limitations and self-centredness. Unlike people, who are often affected by selfishness, greed, laziness, malice, and self-interest, God is unlimited and completely generous. His love is not motivated by personal advantage but flows freely and abundantly to everyone.

Paul’s relationship with the Philippians illustrates another dimension of this faith. He deeply loved the Christian community at Philippi and accepted their financial support, unlike other communities. Writing from prison, Paul is uncertain whether he will live or die. Yet his uncertainty is grounded in a profound commitment to Christ. Life means continuing his mission among the Christian communities, while death represents completion through union with Christ and participation in the resurrection. For Paul, faith transforms death from something fearful into the fulfilment of hope in Christ.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard further demonstrates how different God’s values are from human ideas of fairness and deservingness. Workers who arrive late receive the same wage as those who have worked throughout the day, provoking resentment. However, the parable challenges the assumption that God must operate according to human standards of justice and reward. Everything people possess, including existence itself, is ultimately a gift from God.

The passage therefore warns against creating God in our own image a God who rewards according to human merit, punishes enemies, and favours those who appear respectable. Jesus instead demonstrates God’s generous love by welcoming sinners and outsiders. God does not necessarily want people to conform to human standards of respectability or worthiness. His love extends equally to those who are hungry, dirty, dishonest, or socially rejected. True faith therefore requires accepting that divine love and generosity transcend human expectations of fairness, deservingness, and judgement.

Fr Jerome Otitoyomi Dukiya