As we enter the season of Septuagesima, the Church calls us to a time of preparation—a spiritual prelude to Lent, urging us to reflect on the Christian life as a labor, a race, and a divine calling. The readings for this Sunday, 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; 10:1–5 and Matthew 20:1–16, reveal a powerful harmony: the necessity of discipline in our spiritual journey and the gratuitous nature of God’s grace.
Running to Win – The Race of Salvation
St. Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:
“Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that you may obtain.” (1 Cor. 9:24)
The Christian life is a contest, a spiritual struggle demanding perseverance. St. John Chrysostom comments on this passage, saying:
“The prize is not for those who merely enter, but for those who so run as to obtain. Many start, but few receive the crown.” (Homily 23 on First Corinthians)
Paul reminds us that self-discipline is necessary to secure this reward:
“I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become reprobate.” (1 Cor. 9:27)
The great St. Augustine, meditating on this passage, warns us against presumption:
“Even he who preaches the word must take heed to himself, lest while drawing others out of the deep, he himself should fall into it.” (Enarrationes in Psalmos, 70)
It is not enough to hear the Gospel or to preach it; we must live it. Like an athlete training for victory, we must exercise self-control, rejecting sin and cultivating virtue.
The Warning from Israel’s Past
St. Paul then gives a warning:
“All our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea… and all did eat the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink… but with most of them God was not well pleased.” (1 Cor. 10:1-5)
Here, Paul reminds the Corinthians that the Israelites, despite receiving extraordinary graces, fell into sin and perished in the wilderness. St. Gregory the Great sees in this a lesson for the baptized:
“Many receive the sacraments, but few attain the kingdom. The mystery of the Israelites in the desert is a figure of this: they were led by the pillar of cloud, they passed through the sea, they ate the manna, yet many fell.” (Moralia in Job, Book 14)
This is a sobering thought: reception of the sacraments alone does not guarantee salvation. Without faithfulness and perseverance, we can fall from grace.
The Parable of the Laborers: God’s Generosity
In Matthew 20:1–16, Our Lord tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, where the master hires workers at different hours but gives them all the same reward. At first glance, this may seem unfair, but St. Jerome explains:
“The denarius represents eternal life, which is given equally to all: not because all labored equally, but because the Lord is merciful.” (Commentary on Matthew, 20:9)
This parable reminds us that salvation is a gift. St. Paul has just emphasized the need for perseverance, yet Our Lord now reminds us that even those who come late—who perhaps lived in sin but repent—will be received with mercy. This is the balance of Christian life: our efforts matter, yet we are utterly dependent on divine grace.
St. Augustine beautifully reconciles these truths:
“He who called the laborers at the first hour and the eleventh is the same, lest anyone should boast of his own merits, or despair if he has come late.” (Sermon 87 on Matthew 20)
A Time for Vigilance and Grace
Septuagesima is a wake-up call. We are reminded that:
- The Christian life is a race—we must run with discipline, lest we fall.
- Sacramental grace must be lived out—mere reception is not enough.
- God’s grace is freely given—even those who come late can receive the reward of eternal life.
St. Gregory the Great calls Septuagesima the time for spiritual labor:
“Let us now sow in tears, that we may reap in joy. This is the time of toil; the reward comes later.” (Homiliae in Evangelia, 16)
As we begin this season, let us commit to running the race well, keeping our eyes fixed on Christ. The vineyard is before us—will we labor in it with zeal, trusting in God’s mercy?
Let us take up the challenge of this holy season: to strive, to persevere, and to trust in the generosity of our Lord.