God’s Love: The Generosity That Gives Us Heaven

I have to admit, there were times during seminary when I’d find myself wondering, “Is it really fair?” I mean, I discovered God at 19, converted, and dedicated my life to studying theology. I’d think, “Wouldn’t it be nice to just live life however I want, wait until the end, believe in God, and then go straight to heaven?” I’d hear stories of people converting at 80, and I’d think, “Wow, they got to live their whole life first.” Ever had that thought?

As a seminarian, I met a man who became a dear friend. He wasn’t Catholic, wasn’t religious, but he loved his wife dearly. I would bring communion to her every week, and he was always there, in the background, watching, but never participating. He wasn’t a people person, but we got along well.

Over time, I became a deacon, then a priest, and I stayed in touch with him. We’d have lunch together, and he loved our conversations, despite his antisocial nature. Eventually, he got sick, and his daughter called, asking me to visit. I went to be with him, prayed with him, and over time, he expressed a desire to become Catholic, to receive the sacraments. One day, on his hospital bed, before he passed, I gave him all the sacraments. He died soon after. I knew he was going to be okay.

Now, you might wonder, “Is that fair?” Someone who didn’t follow God for most of his life, who didn’t go through years of study or practice, and yet, at the last moment, received everything. Some might say no. But I say, yes, it’s fair. Why? Because God is generous.

I’ve had other people, like this man, come to me at the end of their lives, asking how it’s possible that God could welcome them, sinners that they are, into His Church. And every time, I tell them the same thing: God’s love is generous beyond our understanding.

In today’s Gospel, we see workers who were envious. They started early, worked hard, and when those who came last received the same wage, they were upset. They felt it wasn’t fair. But God’s message is clear: “Are you mad because I’m generous?”

God’s love isn’t something we can measure out or ration. It’s not limited, and it doesn’t operate on a scale of what’s fair in human terms. Without God’s generous love, none of us have a chance at heaven.

if God weren’t generous with His love, none of us would have hope. It’s His generosity that saves us, that brings us to Him, that offers us heaven. We can’t afford to be envious of how God pours out His love on others because He’s doing the same for us.

So, whether someone finds Christ at the last moment or from the very beginning, we should rejoice! God’s love is vast, boundless, and generous. Let’s not be envious. Instead, let’s be grateful for the gift of His love in our lives and share that same generous love with others. Because, in the end, it’s God’s generosity that gives us the chance at eternal life.