This week's readings Week of Sept. 22 - 28 Sunday, Sept. 22, 2002 Reading I: Is 55:6-9 Reading II: Phil 1:20c-24, 27a Gospel: Mt 20:1-16a Monday, Sept. 23, 2002 Reading I: Prv 3:27-34 Gospel: Lk 8:16-18 Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002 Reading I: Prv 21:1-6, 10-13 Gospel: Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 Reading I: Prv 30:5-9 Gospel: Lk 9:1-6 Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002 Reading I: Eccl 1:2-11 Gospel: Lk 9:7-9 Friday, Sept. 27, 2002 Reading I: Eccl 3:1-11 Gospel: Lk 9:18-22 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002 Reading I: Eccl 11:9--12:8 Gospel: Lk 9:43b-45 Pope's Prayer Intentions September General Intention That young people may have strong and wise teachers of the faith: That children and youth in Catholic schools may be provided with strong and wise educators to help them develop their faith and their healthy attitudes toward life. September Mission Intention Full reconciliation of the Korean people: That the Holy Spirit may use ecclesial Communities to help the two States of the Korean peninsula rediscover the deep reasons for the reconciliation they are embracing.

To be with Christ:
That is far better

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

Like many of us in life, Saint Paul reveals in his letter to the Philippians that he is a man torn between two good things.

On the one hand, the "fruitful labor" of his ministry calls to him - he wanted to continue living so that he could preach the Gospel and strengthen the churches.

"Whether we come to Christ early in our lives, through the agency and teaching of our parents and family, or later, at the time of marriage or even in the twilight of life -- to be with Christ is the important thing."

On the other hand, Paul says, "life is Christ, and death is gain." So to die to this world, even though it would bring an end to his earthly ministry, is also a good that called to Paul.

"I am caught between the two," he says. "I do not know which I shall choose." And then he reveals that he knows which is the better: "I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better."

Yet his love for the people to whom he has been sent really wins out: "That I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit," that is, for the benefit of those to whom he writes.

Readings for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 22) Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

This is really moot for Paul - he has departed this fleshly life long ago to be with Christ. Yet as long as Christ wanted him to remain here, in this world, for the benefit of the Church, Paul did so, for the most part willingly. To be with Christ, he knew, is far better, but sometimes to serve Christ's will for a time is necessary for the spiritual well-being of others.

Jesus teaches us that our ultimate goal is to be with him and his Father in heaven, to dwell forever in the vision of God's beautiful face. And he offers that gift to everyone who comes to believe in him, a gift that is far better than any other we could possibly imagine.

We're all familiar with the story of the landowner who hires workers at dawn, later in the day, at noon, in the afternoon, and into the evening, only to pay all of them the same daily wage. Such is the measure of God's generosity. "The first shall be last and the last shall be first" has become shorthand for God's generous way of dealing with people.

In that story, the first workers, who labored all day and yet were paid (as they agreed to) the daily wage which was also given to those who worked only an hour, complained that they were being cheated. That would be our normal human reaction too, I would guess. But God thinks in ways that are different from our ways of thinking.

To be with Christ is far better, Paul had reminded us. Whether we come to Christ early in our lives, through the agency and teaching of our parents and family, or later, at the time of marriage or even in the twilight of life - to be with Christ is the important thing.

Thus we who have known Christ early - who are the first, if you will - should gladly invite others to come to him later, when he sees fit to call them to become his disciples through our witness. We should gladly bring them forward into Christ's presence, to become first while we take the last place.

For to be with Christ first or last is not what matters, but just to be with Christ - ah, that is far better.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.