God's love is beyond Justice

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today, I have a gift for you. "There's one for you, two for you, one for you. Here are three for you and one for you."

Did you notice that I gave some of you one card, others received two, and some even got three? I imagine some of you were thinking, "That isn't fair! He gave some three cards and I only got one!" Well, maybe it wasn't fair, but they were my cards -- don't I have the right to give them to whomever I please?

Be honest; do you think it is fair?

Now, please tell me when you experienced something unfair to you last, and you said, “It is not fair.”

For example, your mom gave your brother or your sister ice cream but did not give it to you, and you said, "Aw, Mom, that's not fair!

Jesus told a story about a landowner hiring men to work in his vineyard. He hired some of them early in the morning, some in the middle of the day, and some just before finishing the work on the farm.When it was time to pay the workers, he paid them all the same. The workers, who had worked since early morning, cried, "Hey! That's not fair! You paid the workers who worked only one hour the same as those of us who worked all day."

The farm owner said, "I am not being unfair to you. I paid you what I agreed to pay you. Do I have the right to do what I want with my money? Are you jealous because I am generous?"

The question for you today is this: what do you think? Is God fair?

Of course, he is! The Bible tells us that he is more than fair and that "God is love."

Now look at the Cross. Do you think it is fair that Jesus must die for you and me? That is not fair, but that is love.

None of us would get to heaven if we got what was fair. I'm happy that God doesn't give me what is best for me even though I do not deserve it!

God is so generous and merciful. He always gives us more than we can imagine.

Your parents are also so generous. Right? What do your parents give you?

They give you many things like clothing, food, and toys. Even if you do not work, you still have many things.

Why do you think your parents give you many things?

Your parents give you many things because they love you.

And why, sometimes, do your parents not give you what you want?

Sometimes, it seems unfair to you because you do not get what you want, but that is good for you, and they do it because they love you and know it is best for you.

The same goes for our God; sometimes, we get what we prayed for, and sometimes, we do not get what we want, but it is all because God loves you and wants the best for you.

There are two things I want you to do today:

first, say “thank you” to your parents, especially say “thank you” to God because He loves you so much, and he even died for you and me.

Second, be generous and kind to your friends even if they do something unfair to you. Be kind to them and love them. That is what Jesus does to you and me.

Can you do that?