Dear People of St. Patrick Parish,

The opening prayer at Mass today is: “ I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.”

We also hear today, “Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.”

When we were children some of the first words out of our mouths were:

1. No
2. Why
3. Not Fair
   

Now even as adults these same words may be a big part of our way of life.

Lord, not fair I can’t attend Mass, touch the Statues, Sing in Church. Go to a football game, visit family members and friends, can’t eat at my favorite restaurant etc., etc.

Why Lord, why me and my family?

In the Gospel of Matthew which we are studying in our Parish Bible Class and which is also on livestream, we are able to get some answers.

The owner of the vineyard looked at the workers who did not get hired and he knew they would not be able to buy food for their families. Moved with genuine concern, at the last hour he hired them and agreed to pay them the same wages as those who started working at first light. Others who were hired first were angry that they all got the same wage.

The landowner said “Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous? Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

God is generous to us, He made us, He wants us to love Him and follow His Commandments. He wants us one day to be with Him in heaven. Is that what we want?

God is loving, forgiving and merciful to all people and He expects you and me to do the same. Sometimes it is hard but we do not want to be left out When the Saints Go Marching In.

God Bless,
Fr. Larry Young 
Pastor of St. Patrick Church