Posted on 09/23/2017 8:48:50 PM PDT by Salvation
Some people, maybe even many, are puzzled by todays Gospel parable. When we hear this story told by Jesus, we focus on the seeming injustice of those who worked for only one hour being paid the same as those who worked for a full day. The thrust of this parable, however, is not on justice but on Gods generosity even to the latecomer.
There is a joyous Easter homily by St. John Chrysostom that says in part, If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; or they will suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let them not fear on the account of tardiness For the Master has mercy upon the last and cares for the first enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and whether first or last, receive your reward.
The point is not how long they answered the call when it came. The call of the Lord to us to work in the vineyard can come at all the seasons of our life. It may come when we are young or in middle age. It may come in our senior years or even at the last moments. That call is proportionate to our ability and energy.
Our God is a generous God. There is a time for justice when the judgment comes. But now, in this life, is the time and season of mercy. We all need to ask ourselves these questions.
The first is whether we want God with a hair trigger sending punishment in the wake of every sin? How many saints would have survived the vagaries of their youth to be able to experience the conversion of life that led to their becoming saints if God had not been generous?
What about ourselves? Do we seek justice ahead of mercy? We know that for ourselves, we want mercy. We expect it. We depend upon it. We plan on it. Are we willing to be generous to others as the Lord is to us?
As has been said many times, we are a materially generous people. We have seen the outpouring of help given to victims in times of natural disasters. Are we willing to be as generous when it comes to forgiveness, patience, tolerance and understanding? It is much easier to give someone a coat rather than to give a second chance. It is much easier to give a check rather than an encouraging word. It is much easier to give someone in need a box of dry goods rather than to volunteer three hours of our time.
This parable speaks about Gods generosity to those who answer His call at whatever hour that call may come.
Are we willing to be generous to others as God is to us? The confessional that is found in every church is a reminder of Gods generosity to us at whatever hour of life we answer the call.
Fr. Krempa is pastor of St. Bridget of Ireland Church in Berryville.
http://www.theworkofgod.org/Devotns/Euchrist/HolyMass/gospels.asp?key=141
Year A - 25th Sunday in ordinary time
Why be envious because I am generous?
Matthew 20:1-16
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;
4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.
5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same.
6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’
7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’
8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’
9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.
10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.
11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,
12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’
13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.
15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (NRSV)
Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus
In the parable of the laborers for the vineyard and also in the parable of the prodigal son, I want to stress the great Divine Mercy, so that you take it as the model for your generosity and mercy.
It is so easy to receive and indeed you receive so much daily, in fact you have been receiving daily all of your life. But when it comes to give, everyone becomes mean and possessive, then generosity is given with restrain. This is not what I teach, since I teach by my actions. I am the giver of all gifts.
I have said give and you shall be given, be merciful and mercy will be shown to you; so whatever you do for the least of my brothers will receive a reward. I assure you, you will always be rewarded for your generosity.
Whatever work you do in my kingdom will be repaid according to my mercy, not according to your measure. I forgave the thief on the cross who accepted me as his savior and who asked me to remember him when I entered my kingdom. He received the great gift that many virtuous men seek so eagerly and at such a cost with a simple act of faith and humility.
You should rejoice and be glad because of my great mercy. I died on the cross to forgive everyone who comes to me with sincerity, asking pardon for their sins and with a desire to amend their lives.
I dont discriminate sinners, on the contrary, I have died for them and I would die again if it were necessary to bring them to me. I am the savior of the world, my job is to forgive and to save, I want everyone to benefit from my mercy, I want everyone to be saved.
The only condition for my salvation is humble repentance. I am willing to save even those to whom the world condemns; I am the God of the outcast, the rejected, the poor, and the sinful who are desperately in need of conversion.
For this reason I call everyone to be generous as I am generous, to help others as I help everyone. Share with others as much as you can, pray for sinners so that they also obtain the rewards that you yourself expect, do not discriminate, do not underestimate anyone.
At the last moment there will be great confusion, because some who expected to be first will be last and the last will be the first.
In the meantime work diligently for the kingdom of heaven. Be good without measure, when you have to do something for someone remember that you are doing it for me, when you see someone in need do not hesitate to help. Now you know that whatever you do for others you will be doing it for me. So, love one another as I have loved you.
Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary
What Jesus teaches in this Sunday’s Gospel is one of those parables that rock our world and challenge our worldly way of thinking. Frankly, that is one of its purposes. We are tempted to side with the laborers who worked the longest, thinking that their being paid the same amount as those who worked only for an hour is unfair.
Think very carefully before asking God to be fair. What we really should ask of God is that He be merciful, for if He were fair, wed all be in Hell right now. We have no innate capacity to stand before God in pure justice; we simply cannot measure up. It is only grace and mercy that will win the day for us. So be very careful about challenging Gods fairness. In fact, when we see Him being merciful to someone else, we ought to rejoice, for it means that we might stand a chance.
There are other aspects of this Gospel that are important to learn from, in particular, the various dispositions of discipleship. As the parable unfolds, we can see five teachings. Lets consider each in turn.
I. The AVAILABILITY of Discipleship The text says, A landowner went at dawn to hire laborers to work in his field He went later and found others standing idle Why do you stand here all day idle?
What are described here are day workers or day laborers. These were men who stood in public places hoping to be hired for the day. It was and still is a tough life. If you worked, you ate; if you didnt, you might have little or nothing to eat. They were hired on a day-to-day basis, only when needed. This is a particularly burdensome form of poverty for its uncertainty and instability. Men like these were and are the poorest of the poor.
Notice, however, that their poverty, their hunger, makes them available. Each morning they show up and are ready, available to be hired. Their poverty also motivates them to seek out the landowner and indicate that they are ready and willing to work. The well-fed and the otherwise employed do not show up; they are not available. Theres something about poverty that makes these men available. Because their cup is empty, it is able to be filled.
We are these men. We are the poor who depend upon God for everything. Sometimes we dont want to admit it, but we are. Every now and then it is made plain to us how poor, vulnerable, and needy we really are; this tends to make us seek God. In our emptiness, poverty, and powerlessness, suddenly there is room for God. Suddenly our glass, too often filled with the world, is empty enough for God to find room. In our pain we stand ready for God to usher us into the vineyard of His Kingdom. An old gospel song says, Lord, Im available to you; my storage is empty and Im available to you. It is our troubles that make us get up and go out with the poor to seek the Lord and be available to Him. When things are going too well, heaven knows where we are to be found! Another gospel song says, Lord dont move my mountain but give me the strength to climb it. Dont take away my stumbling blocks but lead me all around, cause Lord when my life gets a little too easy, you know I tend to stray from thee.
Yes, we might wish for a trouble-free life, but then where would we be? Would we seek the Lord? Would we make ourselves available to God? Would we ever call on Him?
II. The AUTHORITY of Discipleship The text says, The LandOWNER said, Go into my vineyard HE sent them into HIS vineyard.
Notice that it is the landowner who calls the shots. Too many who call themselves the Lords disciples rush into His vineyard with great ideas and grand projects that they have never really asked God about. This passage teaches us that entrance into the vineyard requires the owners permission. If we expect to see fruits (payment for the work) at the end of the day, we have to be on the list of approved workers.
Fruitful discipleship is based on a call from the Lord. Scripture says, Unless the Lord builds the House, they that labor to build it labor in vain (Ps 127:1). Too many people run off and get married, take new jobs, accept promotions, start projects, and so forth without ever asking God.
True discipleship requires the Lords to call us first: Go into my vineyard. Got a bright idea? Ask God first. Discern His call with the Church and a good spiritual director, guide, or pastor.
III. The ALLOTMENT of Discipleship – The text says, The vineyard owner came at dawn, 9:00 AM, Noon, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.
We may wonder why God calls some early and others late; its none of our business. He does call at different times. Even those whom He calls early are not always asked to do everything right now. There is a timing to discipleship.
Moses thought he was ready at age 40, and in his haste murdered a man. God said, Not now! and made him wait until he was 80.
Sometimes weve got something we want to do but the Lord says, Not yet. We think, But Lord, this is a great project and many will benefit! But the Lord says, Not yet. We say, But Lord, Im ready to do it now! And the Lord says, Not yet.
Sometimes we think were ready, but were really not. An old gospel song says, God is preparing me. Hes preparing me for something I cannot handle right now. Hes making me ready, just because he cares. Hes providing me with what Ill need to carry out the next matter in my life. God is preparing me. Just because he cares for me. Hes maturing me, arranging me, realigning my attitude. Hes training me, teaching me, tuning me, purging me, pruning me. Hes preparing me.
IV. The ABIDING of Discipleship The text says, When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to the foreman, summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.
Notice that the wages are paid in the evening and in the order determined by the landowner. The lesson is simple: weve got to stay in the vineyard. Some people start things but do not finish them. If youre not there at the end of the day, theres no pay.
Scripture says that we must persevere. Here are three passages carrying this message: But he who perseveres to the end will be saved (Mat 24:13). To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life (Rom 2:7). You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Heb 10:36).
Yes, we must work until evening comes. Saying that we had faith and received all our sacraments when we were young will not suffice. We have to work until evening. An old spiritual says, Some go to Church for to sing and shout, before six months theys all turned out. How about you?
V. The ASSESSMENT of Discipleship – The text says, Those hired first grumbled We bore the heat of the day and burdens thereof.
The workers hired early think of their entrance into the vineyard and its labors as a burden. The vineyard, of course, is really the Kingdom of God. Many lukewarm cradle Catholics consider the faith to be a burden; they think that sinners have all the fun. Never mind that such thinking is completely perverse; it is held by many anyway, whether consciously or unconsciously.
Consider the laborers hired last. Were they having a picnic? Not exactly. Most were resigning themselves to the fact that they and their families would have little or nothing to eat that night. Similarly, most sinners are not living the life of Riley. Repeated, lifelong sin brings much grief: disease, dissipation of wealth, regret, loss of family, and addiction. No matter what they tell you, sinners do not have all the fun.
Further, being a Christian is not a burden. If we accept it, we receive a whole new life from Christ: a life of freedom, purity, simplicity, victory over sin, joy, serenity, vision, and destiny.
How do you view the Christian life? Is it a gift, a treasure beyond compare no matter its difficulties? Or is it a burden, a bearing of labor in the heat of the day? Scripture says, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God. The passage goes on to describe our works not as burdens but as something God enables us to do: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:8-10).
So these are five dispositions of discipleship, as taught by the Lord in this parable.
Note well what the Lord teaches, for too often we want to decide what it means to be a disciple. Beware, for the worst kind of disciple is the one who gets out ahead of the Lord and tries to define his or her own role. Jesus is Lord; let Him lead. Here are some final questions for you: Are you a disciple who is glad at being called, the earlier the better? Or are you like the disciples who grumbled at having to do all the work in the heat of the day? Is discipleship delightful or dreary for you?
The song in the video below says, Im available to you. It reminds us that the owner still seeks souls to enter His vineyard. He wants to use your voice to say to someone, You, too, go into my vineyard!
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Isaiah 55:6-9 II: Philipians 1:20-24,27
1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place;
4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went.
5 Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.'
8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'
9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.
11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder,
12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.'
13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you.
15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'
16 So the last will be first, and the first last."
Jesus confirmed the generosity and grace of God: the Kingdom of God is meant for all those who accept His preaching and follow him to build the kingdom.
St. Conrad of Parzham, resolutions in the novitiate
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The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) "Blessed are you among women, |
Matthew | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Matthew 20 |
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1. | THE kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. | Simile est regnum cælorum homini patrifamilias, qui exiit primo mane conducere operarios in vineam suam. | ομοια γαρ εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων ανθρωπω οικοδεσποτη οστις εξηλθεν αμα πρωι μισθωσασθαι εργατας εις τον αμπελωνα αυτου |
2. | And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. | Conventione autem facta cum operariis ex denario diurno, misit eos in vineam suam. | και συμφωνησας μετα των εργατων εκ δηναριου την ημεραν απεστειλεν αυτους εις τον αμπελωνα αυτου |
3. | And going about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle. | Et egressus circa horam tertiam, vidit alios stantes in foro otiosos, | και εξελθων περι τριτην ωραν ειδεν αλλους εστωτας εν τη αγορα αργους |
4. | And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. | et dixit illis : Ite et vos in vineam meam, et quod justum fuerit dabo vobis. | και εκεινοις ειπεν υπαγετε και υμεις εις τον αμπελωνα και ο εαν η δικαιον δωσω υμιν |
5. | And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner. | Illi autem abierunt. Iterum autem exiit circa sextam et nonam horam : et fecit similiter. | οι δε απηλθον παλιν εξελθων περι εκτην και ενατην ωραν εποιησεν ωσαυτως |
6. | But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle? | Circa undecimam vero exiit, et invenit alios stantes, et dicit illis : Quid hic statis tota die otiosi ? | περι δε την ενδεκατην ωραν εξελθων ευρεν αλλους εστωτας αργους και λεγει αυτοις τι ωδε εστηκατε ολην την ημεραν αργοι |
7. | They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go you also into my vineyard. | Dicunt ei : Quia nemo nos conduxit. Dicit illis : Ite et vos in vineam meam. | λεγουσιν αυτω οτι ουδεις ημας εμισθωσατο λεγει αυτοις υπαγετε και υμεις εις τον αμπελωνα και ο εαν η δικαιον ληψεσθε |
8. | And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. | Cum sero autem factum esset, dicit dominus vineæ procuratori suo : Voca operarios, et redde illis mercedem incipiens a novissimis usque ad primos. | οψιας δε γενομενης λεγει ο κυριος του αμπελωνος τω επιτροπω αυτου καλεσον τους εργατας και αποδος αυτοις τον μισθον αρξαμενος απο των εσχατων εως των πρωτων |
9. | When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. | Cum venissent ergo qui circa undecimam horam venerant, acceperunt singulos denarios. | και ελθοντες οι περι την ενδεκατην ωραν ελαβον ανα δηναριον |
10. | But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny. | Venientes autem et primi, arbitrati sunt quod plus essent accepturi : acceperunt autem et ipsi singulos denarios. | ελθοντες δε οι πρωτοι ενομισαν οτι πλειονα ληψονται και ελαβον και αυτοι ανα δηναριον |
11. | And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, | Et accipientes murmurabant adversus patremfamilias, | λαβοντες δε εγογγυζον κατα του οικοδεσποτου |
12. | Saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. | dicentes : Hi novissimi una hora fecerunt, et pares illos nobis fecisti, qui portavimus pondus diei, et æstus. | λεγοντες οτι ουτοι οι εσχατοι μιαν ωραν εποιησαν και ισους ημιν αυτους εποιησας τοις βαστασασιν το βαρος της ημερας και τον καυσωνα |
13. | But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? | At ille respondens uni eorum, dixit : Amice, non facio tibi injuriam : nonne ex denario convenisti mecum ? | ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν ενι αυτων εταιρε ουκ αδικω σε ουχι δηναριου συνεφωνησας μοι |
14. | Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. | Tolle quod tuum est, et vade : volo autem et huic novissimo dare sicut et tibi. | αρον το σον και υπαγε θελω δε τουτω τω εσχατω δουναι ως και σοι |
15. | Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is thy eye evil, because I am good? | Aut non licet mihi quod volo, facere ? an oculus tuus nequam est, quia ego bonus sum ? | η ουκ εξεστιν μοι ποιησαι ο θελω εν τοις εμοις ει ο οφθαλμος σου πονηρος εστιν οτι εγω αγαθος ειμι |
16. | So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. | Sic erunt novissimi primi, et primi novissimi. Multi enim sunt vocati, pauci vero electi. | ουτως εσονται οι εσχατοι πρωτοι και οι πρωτοι εσχατοι πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι |
John Henry Newman, the 19th-centurys most important English-speaking Roman Catholic theologian, spent the first half of his life as an Anglican and the second half as a Roman Catholic. He was a priest, popular preacher, writer, and eminent theologian in both Churches.
Born in London, England, he studied at Oxfords Trinity College, was a tutor at Oriel College, and for 17 years was vicar of the university church, St. Mary the Virgin. He eventually published eight volumes of Parochial and Plain Sermons as well as two novels. His poem, Dream of Gerontius, was set to music by Sir Edward Elgar.
After 1833, Newman was a prominent member of the Oxford Movement, which emphasized the Churchs debt to the Church Fathers and challenged any tendency to consider truth as completely subjective.
Historical research made Newman suspect that the Roman Catholic Church was in closest continuity with the Church that Jesus established. In 1845, he was received into full communion as a Catholic. Two years later he was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome and joined the Congregation of the Oratory, founded three centuries earlier by Saint Philip Neri. Returning to England, Newman founded Oratory houses in Birmingham and London and for seven years served as rector of the Catholic University of Ireland.
Before Newman, Catholic theology tended to ignore history, preferring instead to draw deductions from first principlesmuch as plane geometry does. After Newman, the lived experience of believers was recognized as a key part of theological reflection.
Newman eventually wrote 40 books and 21,000 letters that survive. Most famous are his book-length Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine, Apologia Pro Vita Sua–his spiritual autobiography up to 1864–and Essay on the Grammar of Assent. He accepted Vatican Is teaching on papal infallibility while noting its limits, which many people who favored that definition were reluctant to do.
When Newman was named a cardinal in 1879, he took as his motto Cor ad cor loquitur–Heart speaks to heart. He was buried in Rednal 11 years later. After his grave was exhumed in 2008, a new tomb was prepared at the Oratory church in Birmingham.
Three years after Newman died, a Newman Club for Catholic students began at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In time, his name was linked to ministry centers at many public and private colleges and universities in the United States.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified Newman on September 19, 2010, at Crofton Park. Benedict noted Newmans emphasis on the vital place of revealed religion in civilized society, but also praised his pastoral zeal for the sick, the poor, the bereaved, and those in prison.
John Henry Newman has been called the absent Father of Vatican II because his writings on conscience, religious liberty, Scripture, the vocation of lay people, the relation of Church and State, and other topics were extremely influential in the shaping of the Councils documents. Although Newman was not always understood or appreciated, he steadfastly preached the Good News by word and example.
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Beatification soon for Cardinal Newman?
Feast Day: September 24
Born: 1 March 1653 at San Severino
Died: 24 September 1721 at San Severino
Canonized: 26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory IX
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Sunday, September 24
Liturgical Color: Green
Today the Church honors Mary
under her title of Our Lady of
Ransom, commemorating the
founding of the Order of Our
Lady of Mercy in 1218. This
order worked to raise money to
free Christians held captive by
the Moors.
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
I will give you what is just. (Matthew 20:4)
Lets talk about justice. The landowner in Jesus parable promised to pay his workers what was just, but he seemed to break that promise at the end of the day. At least, thats what the workers who were first hired thought. In their eyes, he was treating them unjustly. They saw the workers who started later get paid just as much money as the landowner had promised to them. Wheres the justice in that?
The landowner, however, had a different kind of justice in mind. For him, justice was not primarily everyone getting what he deserves, but everyone getting what he needs. Every time he came to the marketplace, he saw more men—husbands, fathers, sons, brothers—who didnt have steady employment, but who still had to provide food and clothing and shelter to their families. How could he turn them away? How could he think only about his bottom line?
Of course, employers cant give away all of their money; they have families to take care of too. But Jesus isnt talking about best business practices here. Hes talking about Gods sense of justice. For God, justice is a matter of treating everyone with dignity and honor. Its a matter of ensuring that each person is loved and cared for. Its a matter of making sure that no one gets left behind.
What a difference from our common idea of justice! All around us, we hear that justice is about reward and retribution. If you work hard, you are rewarded with pay. If you violate a rule, you are punished until you pay for what you have done. While there is some truth to these statements, Gods justice goes beyond this kind of tightfisted, tit-for-tat approach. It includes generosity and love, mercy and compassion. His justice went so far as to give up his only Son to save us from sin and death.
Like the landowner in todays parable, our heavenly Father offers us a surprising—and subversive—kind of justice. How can we help but praise him for such a gift!
Thank you, Father, for looking after my every need.
Isaiah 55:6-9
Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18
Philippians 1:20-24, 27
GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR ALL PEOPLE
(A biblical reflection on the 25th ORDINARY SUNDAY [Year A], 24 September 2017)
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16
First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalms: Psalm 145:2-3,8-9,17-18; Second Reading: Philippians 1:20-24,27
The Scripture Text
For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; and to them he said, You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you. So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, You go into the vineyard too. And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first. And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. But he replied to one of them, Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? So the last will be first, and the first last. (Matthew 20:1-16 RSV)
Because people in biblical times built walls around their city for protection from hostile invaders, the only way anyone could get in or out was through the city gate. The area just inside the gate was a busy place because that was where the elders met to settle the disputes of the citys residents, traders sold their goods, and men gathered looking for work.
In todays Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner who went to the city gate at daybreak, midmorning, noon, mid afternoon, and late afternoon to hire men to help with the harvest. The younger and stronger workers undoubtedly got jobs first. Those who were still around later in the day were the men who could not work as fast or do as much because of old age or poor health. These men were unemployed simply because no one hired them.
When it was time for the vineyard owner to pay the workers, he gave each of them a full days wage; those hired first felt cheated because they worked longer and harder than those hired later in the day. Naturally, the laborers who worked all day thought the vineyard owner should have paid them more than the ones who did less work. We can sympathize with these men, but we should also consider the predicament of the others.
A man needed at least a full days wage to feed himself and his family for one day. If a man did not find a job, his wife and children would have to go without food and his neighbors would ridicule him because he wasnt able to provide for his household. Therefore, the owners of the vineyard showed compassion for those he hired last by paying them more than they deserved.
The moral of the parable is clear. The owner of the vineyard is God and we are the workers. Because our God is compassionate, we can expect Him to give us our daily bread. He will provide for all people, even for those who are lowly and not wanted. All we need to do is put our trust in Him.
(Source: Jerome J. Sabatowich, Cycling Through the Gospels Gospel Commentaries for Cycles A, B, and C, pages 94-95.)
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, remind us constantly that our calls and rewards are totally the grace and generosity of our heavenly Father, and we cannot apply human standards and limits to His generosity. We do not ask to be treated fairly, but for our hearts that treat others as He has treated us. Amen.
Daily Marriage Tip for September 24, 2017:/b>
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last. (Mt 20:16) In order for your marriage to be first, you must often put yourself last. In what areas of your life are you putting yourself before your marriage in a way that is detrimental to your spouse and family?
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