Sunday Sermon 2.5.2023
LATIN MASS: SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5 Brethren: Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And everyone that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty; I so fight, not as one beating the air; but I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection, lest perhaps when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud and in the sea: and did all eat the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink: (and they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ). But with most of them God was not well pleased.
This passage alone utterly refutes the doctrines of Once Saved Always Saved and Faith Alone. St Paul explicitly states that his own salvation is still in doubt and he can lose his salvation if he does not perform the works of God.
St Paul also shows how the Old Covenant with Moses prefigured the New Covenant with Christ. The Exodus through the Red Sea prefigured baptism, which frees and saves us just like the Exodus saved and freed the Israelites. The spiritual food of the manna and the spiritual water from the rock at Horeb both prefigured the Eucharist which is our heavenly food and drink.
Matthew 20:1-16 At that time Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle, and he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour: and did in like manner. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he said to them: Why stand you here all the day idle? They say to him: Because no man has hired us. He said to them: Go you also into my vineyard. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward: Call the laborers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: did thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good? So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
This parable is given by Christ to those who are the faithful, especially those who are suffering for many years and working tirelessly to do the good works of God. We must never become frustrated with God over those who convert late in life and work a much shorter period of time in God’s vineyard. We must not become resentful towards those who a very late converts that they will receive salvation like we will. God has promised us salvation and will deliver what He promised. He also promised to save even those who convert on their deathbeds. Our rewards in Heaven will be different but both will be given the immense gift of salvation.
NOVUS ORDO: FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Isaiah 58: Thus says the Lord: 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
It’s almost like God requires us to perform good works before He will save us…..
1 Corinthians 2:1 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
St Paul, who has an incredible intellect and amazing rhetorical and literary skills, still practices humility in proclaiming Christ. He doesn’t puff himself up but keeps the focus on Christ in simple terms so that even the lowest and poorest can hear the Gospel and follow the Good Shepherd.
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Anyone who wishes to be saved should make sure they are telling others about Christ and showing the love of God in all their actions and words. It should be obvious to everyone that you are a Catholic.