THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST: A SERMON FOR SEPTUAGESIMA

The Lord of the Harvest, Calling Workers to His Fields

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

INTRODUCTION 

Welcome to St. Alopen’s Cathedral Parish in East Asia, where we strive to simplify the complexities of our two-thousand-year-old tradition into stories we can tell to our children. Where we play in the shallows of God’s existence and marvel at all the magnificent baubles that wash up in the storms of our lives, as deep calls to deep, and as God gifts us with the incomprehensible beauty and power of His boundless gifts, given to us in our childlike delight. We cannot fathom the depths of God’s love, His mercy towards us as we move through the tragedy of human brokenness and suffering, as we struggle from darkness to light, blindness to sight, doubt and terror to faith and purpose in life. We remember all those that watch over us from heaven, especially those who have established this ministry and have not been able to enjoy its fruits. We honor their legacy. We continue on for them. We ask that they would pray for us as we try to live in this world, not of it, and blessing all that they loved. 

SCRIPTURE 

EPISTLE – ACTS 20:17-27 

In those days: From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 

THE HOLY GOSPEL - MATTHEW 20:1-15

The Lord said this parable: For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 

SERMON

Beloved in Christ, today marks the beginning of Gesimatide, that solemn pre-Lenten season which prepares our hearts for the coming fast. The Church, like a wise mother, does not thrust us suddenly into the rigors of Lent, but gently leads us there, step by step. She calls us today to meditate on grace, humility, and perseverance, setting before us the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. 

Our Introit from Psalm 18 this morning reminds us of the trials of this life: “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.” This world is full of tribulation, and even in our own souls, we find weakness, temptation, and suffering. But the psalmist does not despair: “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple.” This is the cry of a soul that has come to know its need for God, a cry that finds its answer in the grace of Jesus Christ. 

JOSEPH REVEALS THE HIDDEN PROVIDENCE OF GOD 

In our Old Testament lesson from Genesis 42, we see the unfolding of God’s providence in the life of Joseph. His brothers, who had betrayed him and sold him into slavery, now stand before him in their time of need, not recognizing him. Joseph speaks roughly to them, not out of cruelty, but to awaken their conscience. When they are finally confronted with the weight of their past sin, they confess, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.”

Here, we learn two things: first, God does organize and bring evil to justice, and the sins of the past will always come to light. But second, God’s forgiveness and grace is greater than our sins. Joseph weeps, for he sees that the hand of God has been working even through his suffering. The famine, the separation, the years of loss - all of it has been leading to this moment of reconciliation. 

So too in our own lives, when we face hardship, we must trust that God’s providence is at work, knowing that He always wills are best and desires our salvation. Perhaps we are in a time of trial because God is calling us to repentance. Perhaps we are suffering because He is preparing us for something greater. Either way, our response must be humility, repentance, and faith. 

THE APOSTLE PAUL’S FAITHFUL WITNESS 

In our Epistle from Acts 20, we hear St. Paul’s farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He reminds them that his life has been marked by suffering, “serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations.” He speaks of going to Jerusalem, “not knowing the things that shall befall me there,” except that the Holy Ghost has testified that “bonds and afflictions abide me.”

What is St. Paul’s response? Does he shrink back? Does he fear what is to come? No. He says, “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.” St. Paul understands that his life is not his own. He is a laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, working not for his own reward, but for the glory of God. 

This is the heart of the Christian life - to labor in Christ’s fields with humility, trusting that God will reward us according to His perfect justice and mercy. We are never worthy of the gifts that He gives, but He gives out of the abundance of His love. 

THE PARABLE OF THE LABORERS 

Finally, in our Gospel from Matthew 20, we hear the parable of the laborers. A householder hires workers at different hours of the day, yet in the evening, he pays them all the same wage. Those who had labored from the first hour murmur against him, saying, “These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.” But the master rebukes them, saying, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” 

This parable cuts to the heart of our human pride. We think we deserve more than others. We count our own labor, our own struggle, our own losses as paramount. We measure our labor and compare ourselves to those around us, unhappy if others are blessed and constantly desirous of affirmation and consolation. But God’s kingdom does not operate on human merit. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

This is the great truth of grace: we are all undeserving, yet God gives freely. Whether we have labored in His vineyard from childhood or have come at the last hour, whether we have borne the burden of the day or have only just entered into His service, the reward is the same - eternal life in Christ. We partake in the heavenly bliss, on that Last Day, with the great Saints and the sinless Angels, even though we were filled with sin and were saved “as if by fire,” only by God’s grace and His compassion (1 Corinthians 3:15). 

APPLYING THE LESSONS OF SEPTUAGESIMA 

As we enter into this season of preparation, let us take these three lessons to heart, as a practical outworking of the Gospel: 

1. Trust in God’s Providence – Like Patriarch Joseph, we may not always understand why we suffer, but we must trust that God is working all things for our good, for those that love Him, and are called according to His purposes. 

2. Persevere in Faithfulness – Like St. Paul, let us not count our lives dear to ourselves, but be willing to endure hardships for the sake of Christ. “To live is Christ. To die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). 

3. Embrace God’s Grace with Humility – Like the laborers in the vineyard, let us not compare ourselves with others, because “comparison with others is foolishness,” but rejoice that we have been called at all (2 Corinthians 10:12, Sirach 31:10-11). 

A POETIC REFLECTION

A poem by the great Christian mystic John Milton called "On His Blindness" complements the Scripture readings from today’s liturgy perfectly. Milton's reflections on the nature of divine providence and human humility, and ties it into the themes of grace and labor in the vineyard, and God's just rewards, which are central to our Septuagesima Gospel reading.

On His Blindness

When I consider how my light is spent, 

Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, 

And that one talent which is death to hide, 

Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent 

To serve therewith my Maker, and present 

My true account, lest he returning chide, 

‘Doth God exact day labor, light denied?’ 

I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent 

That murmur, soon replies: ‘God doth not need 

Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best 

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state 

Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed 

And post o’er land and ocean without rest; 

They also serve who only stand and wait.

This poem reveals to us a glimpse of God’s grace, reminding us that all our efforts, whether great or small, are ultimately part of His divine plan, as we offer ourselves and all we do back up to God as a living sacrifice. It reflects the humility and patience that we are called to practice, especially during the trials, emotional reactions, and hunger of Lent, as we walk with Christ through His passion, trusting in His sovereign will for our lives.

SUMMARY AND PERSONAL APPLICATION 

Let us prepare our hearts for the journey ahead, remembering that Lent is not a burden, but a gift— a time to draw closer to Christ, to crucify the flesh, and to walk the path of humility and repentance. And as we do so, may we hold fast to the words of our Tract Prayer from our Liturgy of St. James this morning: 

"Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice."

May He hear us, and may He give us grace to serve Him faithfully, that when the evening comes, we may receive our reward - not because we have earned it by our long toil in the fields white with harvest, but because He is a good God, loving us, willing our salvation, and giving us so many opportunities to repent. “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4b). 

COLLECT 

Let us pray. 

O Lord, who in Thy mercy dost call both the first and the last into Thy vineyard, grant that we may labor with humility and trust, rejoicing in the riches of Thy grace. As Thou didst deliver Joseph from the snares of his brethren, strengthen us to forgive as we have been forgiven. As Thou didst sustain Thy servant Paul through trials, embolden us to declare Thy truth without fear. And as Thou dost reward all according to Thy lovingkindness, keep us steadfast in faith, that we may receive the crown of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.