A Job Attitude

by Food For Thought on August 21, 2013 ·

The parable of the vineyard laborers shows the generosity of God and the jealousy of men. Envy or jealousy is a capital sin which is caused by one’s inability to rejoice at the good fortunes of others. The envious person is not happy and even complains about what he perceives to be an injustice to himself – the good fortune of someone else.

In the Book of Job, Job said, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” We should have this attitude when we receive material blessings from God. We should be thankful to Him while being aware that material things do not last. When another person receives blessings from God, we should rejoice with him and praise God’s generosity. God wants to shower His graces on all men. But to each person God gives something different because He treats us as individuals. So we must not be envious of what other people receive from God. Instead we should mind our own business, do our Christian duties every day with dedication, and not expect anything in return. We must consider ourselves unworthy servants of the living God. Then if we ever do receive something for our efforts, we would be truly grateful, knowing that God is gracious.

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 29, Issue 5

<< Wednesday, August 21, 2013 >>

Pope St. Pius X

Judges 9:6-15
View Readings

Psalm 21:2-7

Matthew 20:1-16
Similar Reflections

THE REST OF MY LIFE

"When those hired late in the afternoon came up they received a full day's pay." —Matthew 20:9

Maybe you have wasted your life in "doing your own thing." Now that you have given your life to Jesus, you don't want "to spend what remains of your earthly life on human desires but on the will of God. Already you have devoted enough time to what the pagans enjoy" (1 Pt 4:2-3).

Nevertheless, you feel sad that it's taken you this long to begin to live. The Lord wants to change your sorrow into joy (see Ps 30:12) by assuring you that He will give you a full-day's pay even if you've only worked for Him a very short time (Mt 20:14). The Lord "will repay you for the years which the locust has eaten" (Jl 2:25), that is, for the wasted years of life. The Lord in His mercy often saves the best for last, as He did at the wedding feast of Cana (Jn 2:10). So "give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead" (Phil 3:13).

The Lord has died to atone for your past, so forget about it. Thank Him you have the privilege of living for Him in the present. Make the following promise: "For the rest of my life, I will serve the Lord alone, in every way, with all my heart."

Prayer: Father, thank You for life, Your forgiveness, the present, and the rest of my life. I give it to You.

Promise: "Thus the last shall be first and the first shall be last." —Mt 20:16

Praise: Pope St. Pius X, born of humble beginnings, was raised up by God to serve a tumultuous, violent world.