A sermon on Matthew 20:1-16

By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist

What does Jesus mean when he said, "The last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16)?

When God judges us, everything the world considers first in value – material possessions, wealth, social status – He will consider last in value. God considers earthly success as least important. What are the things God considers as first? Those who treat others with love, compassion and kindness are first in God's kingdom. Wherever love is shown the presence of God is there.

The Reverend Howard Storm had an intense encounter with Jesus in 1985 when he died and came back. He wrote about it in his book called "My Decent into Death."

His soul was drawn into the spiritual realm where he met Jesus. Howard asked Jesus, "What do you want me to do?" 

Jesus gave a very direct and simple answer, "Love the person that you're with." 

The Rev. Howard describes his meeting with Jesus was not about punishment but a learning experience. Jesus was teaching him what He most values is how well we treat others. While on earth, Jesus wants you to be like a mirror reflecting God's love to everyone. All your words and deeds must be one with God. The words from my favorite song "Day By Day" in the musical "Godspell" says it so beautifully.
 
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day.

Howard writes about an experience in his book that very clearly explains what God considers first and what is last. We start with the angels reviewing his life:

"All of the things that I had worked to achieve, the recognition that I had worked for, in elementary school, in high school, in college and in my career, they meant nothing in this setting. I could feel their feelings of sorrow and suffering, or joy, as my life’s review unfolded. They didn’t say that something was bad or good, but I could feel it. And I could sense all those things they were indifferent to. They didn’t, for example, look down on my high school shot-put record. They just didn’t feel anything towards it, nor toward other things which I had taken so much pride in. What they responded to was how I had interacted with other people. I got to see when my sister had a bad night one night, how I went into her bedroom and put my arms around her. Not saying anything, I just lay there with my arms around her. As it turned out that experience was one of the biggest triumphs of my life (to them)."

It was revealed to the Rev. Howard that in the next life there are two communities. There is the community of hell where those souls thrive on pain, chaos, destruction and darkness. The other community is the souls in Heaven who uplift each other with love, unity, and service. 

Jesus calls you to be one with the Heavenly community. While on earth Jesus calls you to align your life with the Heavenly souls. Your mission is to spread God's Love by "loving the person you are with." Children's Hospital is a sacred place because so many people sacrifice so much as they love so many children so outrageously well. 

The angels told the Rev. Howard he had to go back. His time on earth was not finished. He had so much more to learn about how to love the way God wanted him to love. He didn't want to be away from the unconditional love he felt from these angels of light. They replied, “You won’t be away from us. We’re with you. We’ve always been with you. We always will be right with you all the time.” With that, his soul returned to his body.

God said, "I will go with you and give you peace." (Exodus 33:14).

Blessings...Fr. Mike.

Fr. Mike Paraniuk is a Priest Chaplain at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. His sermons can be heard live over WLRU Radio 106.9 FM on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.