In the Gospel, Jesus“ parables describe ”the newness of what God has in store for us,“ but generally ”they also reveal the resistance we tend to feel toward a more generous justice and a greater love,” the Holy Father began by saying before reciting the Marian prayer of the Angelus This Sunday, the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, in St. Peter's Square.
"Today, in particular, we heard the story of the workers called to work in the vineyard," the Pope explained: "Some worked all day, others only a few hours, and still others from sunset onward.".
“But the central point of the parable lies in the moment of payment, when the landowner, keeping his word, pays the workers who began at the first hour as agreed, but wants them to see his generosity and, right before their eyes, treats the last ones in the same way.”.
“There is one detail we must not let go unnoticed,‘ the Pontiff added. ’The owner gives the steward a specific order to follow: the workers must be paid ”beginning with the last and ending with the first’ (Mt 20:8).”.
God's ways: it is a blessing to work in His vineyard
"God has different ways and new thoughts, even for those who consider themselves the best and believe they have earned what they are and deserved the results they have achieved," he continued.
On the contrary, all of us “gain joy, wisdom, and a future when the law of love overrides that of self-interest, the experience of mercy expands that of merit, and the gift of peace puts an end to rivalries and brings us closer together in gratitude.”.
At this point, Leo XIV has arrived at one of his main messages this morning: “Brothers and sisters, it is a blessing to be God’s co-workers, to labor in his vineyard, to serve his Kingdom of justice and peace. There is no room for envy and division where God’s newness breaks forth.”.
Let us seek the Lord; let us call upon him while he is near
“Let us seek the Lord while he may be found; let us call upon him while he is near; let us turn away from our wicked ways and our evil thoughts (cf. Is 55:6–7).”.
“Let us look to our Blessed Mother,” the Holy Father urged. “She is a creature like us, yet she is free from all stain; that is why she helps us to place our hope in God and to trust in His mercy, so that His ways may become our ways and His thoughts may become our thoughts.”.
Benedict XVI upon being elected Pope
León XIV did not mention it, but it is very likely that he had it in mind the greeting from Benedict XVI from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on April 19, 2005, upon his election as Pope:
"”Dear brothers and sisters: Following in the footsteps of the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have chosen me, a simple and humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard. I take comfort in the fact that the Lord knows how to work and act even through inadequate instruments, and above all, I entrust myself to your prayers.”.
Humanitarian Crisis in Somalia
After reciting the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV stated that he is following “with great concern the humanitarian crisis in some areas of Somalia”, where “episodes of violence and extreme weather events are exacerbating the population's already precarious living conditions.”.
"I hope for the international community's generous involvement, so that our brothers and sisters will not lack the necessary assistance," the Pope urged on behalf of a country with a Muslim majority.
Learning from Past Mistakes
The Pope also sent his blessing to the people of Pescantina, near Verona, who are gathering today around the Monument to the former intern, to commemorate those who were deported and held prisoner during World War II.
“I do this to show that we must not forget, but rather learn from history so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past,” he said in conclusion, and, as he always does, wished the Romans and pilgrims who had gathered for the Angelus a happy Sunday.
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