20/09/2026
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time the celebration was presided over by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Alfred Azige.
Presiding over the celebration of the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Alfred centred his homily on the Gospel account of the workers hired at different times of the day.
Giving a background to the Gospel, the priest explained that in the time of Jesus, young men would gather at the marketplace with their tools, waiting for someone to hire them for a day’s work. For many families, daily work was necessary to provide food for the day.
He explained that this was especially important because people depended on what they earned each day. If a person could not find work, it could mean that there would be no food for the family that day.
Fr. Alfred then explained why the landowner continued to hire workers at different hours. He noted that the harvest period was approaching and that the crops had to be gathered before the rains came and destroyed them. For this reason, the landowner returned to the marketplace several times to find more workers.
According to the priest, the first workers agreed to receive one denarius for their day’s work. Those who came later were told that they would receive a fair wage, while those hired at the eleventh hour were simply told to go and work.
The priest then focused on the moment when the workers were paid. Those who had worked for only a short time received the same one denarius as those who had worked from the morning.
This caused the early workers to grumble.
Fr. Alfred asked the faithful to consider the response of the landowner: “How was this landowner unjust?” He noted that the landowner had kept his agreement with those who had worked from the beginning.
From this, the priest turned the reflection towards the problem of envy and jealousy.
He observed that people can sometimes become unhappy when they see their neighbours, friends or fellow workers receiving blessings. Instead of being happy for another person’s success, people may become jealous or even begin to dislike the person.
Fr. Alfred gave examples of someone building a house, buying a car, receiving a promotion or succeeding in business, and asked why another person should become angry because of it.
He encouraged the faithful to learn to be happy for the success of others rather than becoming envious of them.
The priest also shared a story about a man who was so jealous of his neighbour that he asked God to give him twice whatever He gave his neighbour. The story, he explained, showed how destructive jealousy can be.
Everyone Has a Place in the Church
Fr. Alfred then moved to another lesson from the Gospel: God’s invitation to work in His kingdom is for everyone.
He stressed that the kingdom of God is large enough for everyone to have something to do.
The priest therefore challenged members of the parish to examine their own contribution to the life of the Church.
He asked the faithful to consider what they had been doing for the Church since they first became part of the parish.
For Fr. Alfred, one practical way of participating in parish life is through belonging to societies and being active in them.
He encouraged the faithful not simply to come to church, watch others work and then expect a reward, but to take responsibility and participate in the work of the Church.
“What work are you doing for the Church?” he asked.
The Right to Work and a Just Wage
The priest also reflected on unemployment, particularly the situation of young people who are willing and able to work but cannot find opportunities.
He described unemployment as a difficult condition, especially for people who have gone to school, learnt skills or prepared themselves to contribute to society but have no opportunity to use those skills.
Fr. Alfred connected this situation with the compassion of the landowner in the Gospel. The landowner saw people who were ready to work but had remained idle because no one had hired them. He gave them an opportunity to work.
The priest stressed that the Gospel also points to the right to a just, fair and living wage.
He distinguished this from simply paying the minimum wage. According to his explanation, a just or living wage should be able to meet a worker’s needs, while a minimum wage only sets the lowest amount that can be paid.
Fr. Alfred therefore appealed to those who employ workers in private businesses, shops and homes to consider how they treat and pay those who work for them.
He mentioned workers such as nannies, housemaids and shop workers, urging employers to pay them just wages and not take advantage of their difficult situation.
He also addressed those responsible for paying salaries in government institutions, warning against delaying salaries, withholding them or removing money from workers’ pay.
“Pay them what is owing. Promptly,” he urged.
God’s Generosity
Towards the end of his reflection, Fr. Alfred returned to the generosity of God.
He reminded the faithful that the things they have are gifts from God and encouraged them to remain humble when they receive blessings.
He noted that people can work very hard without seeing great financial results, while another person may do something that appears small and still experience success.
For the priest, such situations should not become reasons for envy. Instead, those who receive blessings should remain humble and recognise God’s generosity.
Fr. Alfred concluded by reminding the faithful that their commitment and love for the things of God matter, while encouraging them to recognise God’s generosity in their lives.
His reflection left the faithful with questions to consider: Are we happy when others are blessed? What are we doing for the Church? And how do we treat those who work for us?
