As we enter the liturgical season of Septuagesima, Holy Mother Church calls us to deeper reflection on the Christian life as a battle, a discipline, and a race toward eternal salvation. The readings for Monday of Septuagesima Week—1 Corinthians 9:24–27; 10:1–5 and Matthew 20:1–16—offer us a twofold meditation: the spiritual struggle required of the Christian and the gratuitous generosity of God.
Discipline for the Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. 9:24–27; 10:1–5)
“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)
St. Paul uses the image of an athlete striving for victory, emphasizing the need for self-discipline in the Christian life. He contrasts the perishable crown of earthly athletes with the incorruptible crown of eternal glory. He further warns that many who begin well may fall away, using Israel as an example: though all received the blessings of God—crossing the Red Sea, eating the manna, drinking from the rock—many perished in the wilderness due to their sins.
This passage reminds us that baptism and the sacraments are not enough if we do not persist in grace. St. John Chrysostom comments:
“Paul speaks not of those outside the faith, but of those within; those who had seen signs, who had received mysteries, who had enjoyed spiritual food and drink. Yet even these did not all reach their goal. What shall we say then, who have not endured such labors?” (Homilies on 1 Corinthians, 23.5)
We are called to struggle against the flesh, the world, and the devil. St. Augustine warns:
“No man can be crowned unless he has conquered; nor can he conquer unless he fights; nor can he fight unless he has an enemy and temptations to overcome.” (Sermon 46 on the New Testament)
Thus, our spiritual life must be one of discipline—through prayer, fasting, and virtue—lest we, like the Israelites, fall into complacency and sin.
The Generosity of God and the Call to Labor (Matt. 20:1–16)
In the Gospel, Our Lord presents the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, where workers are called at different hours of the day but receive the same wage. Some, who labored from the first hour, murmur at the master’s generosity toward those hired last.
This parable reveals the gratuitous nature of God’s grace. The vineyard represents the Church, and the different hours symbolize different stages of conversion. St. Gregory the Great explains:
“Some are called from childhood, some in youth, some in old age, yet all receive the same reward—life eternal. The first murmured because they supposed their labor gave them a claim on God, whereas eternal life is the free gift of divine mercy.” (Homilies on the Gospels, 19)
The murmuring laborers represent those who expect justice apart from mercy. St. Jerome warns that they symbolize:
“The Jews, who, having borne the yoke of the Law, were jealous that the Gentiles, called later, should be made equal sharers in salvation.” (Commentary on Matthew, 20)
This parable also reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. He rewards according to His goodness, not our calculations. The key lesson is humility: we must not labor for a reward measured by human standards, but out of love for God. As St. Augustine exhorts:
“Let not him that comes first exalt himself, nor let him that comes last despair. For to one is paid according to mercy, to the other according to promise.” (Sermon 87 on the New Testament)
The Septuagesima Call to Struggle and Trust
During Septuagesima, the Church prepares us for the penitential season of Lent by reminding us that the Christian life is both a race and a labor. We must persevere with discipline (like the athlete) and trust in divine mercy (like the last-hour laborer).
Let us take this time to renew our spiritual efforts, imitating St. Paul’s zeal, lest we, having begun the race, fail to reach the prize. Let us also humbly accept God’s generosity, working in His vineyard without envy, but with gratitude and trust.
May Our Lady, the Star of the Sea, guide us as we run toward the incorruptible crown and labor in the vineyard of the Lord. Amen.