September 22, 2002
God, the Unfair
After
9-11
We had a remarkable
day last Wednesday as we remembered the tragedy of a year ago. So many
people came to pray throughout the day and it was very moving to see
the large 46x25 foot American flag quilt created by Cub Scout Pack 233,
led by Alex Nuñez. The memorial area in the church was the result
of plants donated by Nassau County Cooperative Extension -- thanks to
Ann Palmieri, Annette McGrath and Myrtle Bergeman. Our evening service
was very touching. I’m grateful to Estelle Peck for coordinating
this liturgy -- dozens of people were involved in reading, candle-lighting,
music, etc. I’m most grateful to those who gave voice to all that
we were feeling, especially Patti DeAngelis and her daughter Nicole,
who lost their husband & father Thomas last year; Al Peck who coordinated
so much of the relief services last year who spoke of dealing with our
fears; Frank Iadevaia who played an appropriate classical guitar piece;
Susan Porteus and the choir for leading us in song.
Away at College?
By
this time, our parishioners who are in college, have gone off to school
and some are away from home. Being
away from home is a little less difficult these days because of e-mail.
Most colleges provide their students with an e-mail account, and families
and friends can stay in touch. For the past year I’ve been sending
a “letter from home” almost every week to our parishioners
who are away at college. The feedback on this was great as our college
students felt really connected to parish life here.
To receive the “letter from home”, take this bulleting with
you to college as a reminder to send in your e-mail address. Just Click
Here!
Cool Way to Pray
If you’d like to try out a new interactive prayer site online,
go to the St. Brigid’s home page and click on the “Church
Interactive” link.
Technology Ministry
If you’d like to give your time and expertise at helping our parish
connect its telephone systems or work on its website, you can let us
know by filling in our
online form
Want
to e-mail Father Ralph?
Past Columns:
Sept 15: The
Joy of Judy
Sept 8: Facing the
Terrible Day
Sep 1: Sharing the
Faith
Aug 25:Empty Shelves
Aug 18: Comemmorating
Sept. 11th
Aug 11: Taking Time
To See
August 4: Moving
Music
July 28:Meet
the Missionaries
July 21:
Press One Now
July 14: Having
Our Say
July 6: One
Nation Under God
June 30: Anointing
the Sick
June 23: Giving Thanks
to God
June 16: Father's
Day
June 9: Fall Mass
Schedule
June 2: Summer Plans
May 26: Spreading
the Faith
May 19: Passing Grace
May 12: Changing
Times
May 5: Reason for Hope
April 28: Changing
Ministry
April 21: The Poor Are Hurt
Again
April 14: Celebrating
50 Days
April 7: Where have
they put him?
March 31: Alleluia!
Alleluia!
March 24: Hardly
Hosanna
March 17: Roll The
Stone Back
March 10: Here's
Mud In Your Eye
March 3: Our Local
Drought
Feb 24: Welcoming
Bishop Murphy
Feb 17: We Will Rise
Again
Feb 10: Very
Good Now
Feb 3: The Multi
Cultural Church
Jan 27: Appealing
Words
Jan 20:Our
Wonderful School
Jan 13: Changing
Times
Jan 6: Farewell Father
Augustine
I’m a person who likes to be fair. I figure that if people do good, if they’re helpful to others, generous with their time, etc. they ought to have a reward for their goodness. But if they sit around all day, not lifting a finger to help others, if they don’t participate in life and community, then the reward ought to be less.
That’s why I think today’s gospel is so unfair. (It’s Matthew 20:1-16)
Here Jesus tells about a vineyard owner who pays a full day’s wage to people who only worked an hour, while the people who worked all day long in the hot sun get the same wage. Jesus tells the story to point out the generosity of God. Still, it seems unfair.
Could you imagine running a business that way? After a day or two, no one would show up on time -- they’d all wait til the close of the day, put in an hour’s work and then collect a full day’s wage. How long could the place stay in business?
Yet, it is the “unfair” mercy of God that keeps the church “in business”. Don’t each of us have the hope (yes even the expectation) that when we approach God that we’ll get nothing short of mercy, forgiveness and peace? No matter how “rotten” we’ve acted during the week, no matter how impatient or selfish or apathetic, when we come to church on Sunday, we meet Jesus who opens his arms wide to welcome us in.
Of course since we’re baptized, we’re supposed to be like Christ to one another. That means we’re supposed to be learning to be as “unfair” as God. We too are invited to open our arms wide to others, whether they be the ones who haven’t helped us in the past, whether they be ones who have hurt us, whether they be the newest immigrants who only arrived an hour ago. When people come to our community they expect that “unfair” treatment of being accepted fully for who they are. Where else in the world could they expect that?
Naturally, what is expected of us on Sunday is expected of us during the week too. So as we go out into our week, let’s look for ways to bring God’s “unfair” mercy and acceptance to those we live with and work with.
