Dear Parishioners and Friends.

The Gospel parable of the workmen in the vineyard (Mt 20: 1-16), who came to work at different times but received the same wages, always aroused controversy. For some, it was an example of social injustice, a deviation from an accepted iron rule: “equal pay for equal work”. For others, on the contrary, it was an example of the correct solution of difficult social issues, especially unemployment.
They all received the denarius, but with separate reasons: for some it was payment for the work done, for others – an unemployment benefit for those who had a sincere will to work. Did they have to get the same amount? Theoretically not. According to our common feeling, the salary should be much higher than the allowance. However, when we realize that at that time, one denarius was the minimum necessary to feed a family for one day, our doubts are explained. A man who wants to work should get some means to live even when he is unemployed. It is true that those who worked starting in the morning had the right to expect to receive more. But they were given the same amount of money because the others needed it to survive.
However the parable of the farmer, who “went out early in the morning to hire laborers to his vineyard” is not concerned with social or economic matters. It does not concern the economics of the world, but of heaven, or rather, the economy of salvation. This is the kingdom of heaven, which is to be realized, to which all men from all ages are called. Since, as the Fathers of the Church believe, Christ is “in the center of time,” that is, in every moment of history, we can be far from, or close to Him. It is not only by the timeline, but also, by our personal holiness and the sincere will to join in the saving work of Jesus Christ: “whether in life or in death,” as the Apostle Paul wrote.
God, Who is not limited by physical law of time, gives each person a chance of salvation, and gives us time for conversion. The call of the prophet Isaiah is also a reassuring promise: “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call Him while He is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, Who is generous in forgiving.” We should not miss this opportunity, we must stand near the Lord’s vineyard, close to Christ and His Church. Such waiting, or rather vigilance is also work, and it is indeed challenging work. This is, of course, internal work, since the Kingdom of Heaven is built from within.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer birthday greetings Mr. Józef Homik, who was born on the 26th of September, 75 years ago. We also thank him for his 50 years of musical and organist work for the Church. May the Lord grant him good health and all blessings, so that he may praise God with his beautiful voice for many more years to come.

God Bless!