A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 20:1-16A
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
REFLECTION: Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
As we walk in the footsteps of Jesus through the Gospels, we see that He is building up His Kingdom. We see how relentless He is in seeking different places to bring His message, curing and healing and not holding back on people who lead the people astray. He is giving us different parables to understand His Kingdom.
If we demand what we deserve, we just might find ourselves outside of God's Kingdom. To be part of His Kingdom we must think and act as Jesus and in His love labor by telling all about Him.
Jesus gave His love and mercy without measure, the door is open for all--early bird or late comer, sinner or saint, rich or poor, those who led a life time of depravity and had their eleventh hour conversion to those who lived all their lives in loving and faithful service to God.
God sees us through the eyes of mercy and invites us to be with Him.
Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
God Bless You
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