Father Koch: We joyfully celebrate even those who work but one hour

Father Garry Koch said that the Church should celebrate the faithfulness of all people to the Gospel, regardless of how long they have served.

In a reflection for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Koch noted that while people often honor long-term milestones such as decades of religious vows or long marriages, those who serve for shorter periods remain equally committed. He compared these individuals to the workers in the parable of the vineyard, stating that the Lord celebrates faithfulness rather than the number of years worked.

Koch also connected the parable to the story of the rich young man in the Gospel of Matthew. He explained that after the young man walked away because he could not part with his possessions, Jesus assured his followers that their reward in heaven would be great because they had abandoned their previous way of life to follow him.