“We should be thankful that God isn’t fair.”
Bishop Edward Malesic shared that thought with the congregation at the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Sept. 20 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland. It was the first time he celebrated Sunday Mass at the cathedral since his installation as the 12th bishop of Cleveland on Sept. 14.
The bishop began his homily by recounting the story of a man who died and was greeted by St. Peter at heaven’s gate. St. Peter told the man he’d need 100 points to gain entry to heaven. As the man reflected on his life, he shared his experiences with St. Peter, who began to tally the points for things like staying faithful to his wife, attending Mass, various good deeds, etc. The points added up slowly and finally out of frustration, the man said to St. Peter, “The only way to get in is by the grace of God.”
St. Peter nodded and said, “Enter.”
Bishop Malesic said St. Matthew’s Gospel, which tells the story of a master who hired people to work in his fields harvesting crops “screams of injustice.” The master went out multiple times seeking laborers and at the end of the day, he paid each the same wage – regardless of whether the person worked a full day or just a short time. It doesn’t seem fair that those who worked all day got the same pay as someone who worked only an hour, the bishop said, noting we’re used to the equal pay for equal work concept.
“But God’s ways are not our ways,” he said, explaining that grace is an extravagant gift from God. “His loving salvation doesn’t come in various sizes – it’s all or nothing.”
The bishop shared another story about man who ended up in a wheelchair in a nursing home. He went to visit the man, who enjoyed cigars and frequently wheeled himself outside to enjoy a smoke. As he chatted with a woman one day, he told her he wasn’t sure why he was there. The woman asked him if he ever talked to the Lord.
“No, I’ve never had a reason,” the man said.
“Well, maybe that’s why you’re here,” the woman told him.
Bishop Malesic said the man told him that now he talks to the Lord daily.
“It’s never too late to get God’s grace – as long as the day isn’t completely over,” the bishop said. “We should never think we haven’t worked enough for salvation. We should never ignore the Lord’s invitation to labor in the vineyard.”
He called grace “a great gift when you don’t deserve it. Seek the Lord while he may be found. Everyone – saint or sinner – can come to God. Never reject that great gift that comes to us from the generosity of God. And remember: It’s never too late to say ‘yes.’”
After Mass, Bishop Malesic enjoyed the sunshine and mild temperatures as he greeted the faithful outside the church while wearing face mask and observing social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic.