A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mt 20:1-16
Jesus told his disciples this parable:“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landownerwho 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,he 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,he 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?
Have you ever compared yourself to someone and wondered how you could be more like them? Hopefully it is a positive experience and an improvement in our relationship with God.
However.....
The Bible has stories of envy which did not work out for the good and led to a breakdown of relationships and estrangement with God.
-Cain was jealous of his brother Abel and killed him. (Genesis 4:1-16)
-Jacob and Esau were brothers. Jacob stole Esau's inheritance resulting in discord between the brothers. (Gen 25: 19-34)
-Leah and Rachel were sisters, but Leah envied the love Jacob had for Rachel and Rachel envied the many babies Leah had. (Gen 29:15-35)
-Saul and David were leaders of the Israelites. Saul envied David for his many gifts. (1 Samuel 15-31)
-The older brother envied his brother the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32)
What to do when Envy pops up in our lives?
-Fix your self on God and not on others.
-Recognize the graces and gifts God has given you and work on "the must haves".
-Be thankful for what you have because God chose your gifts specifically for you.
-Learn to rejoice in God’s gifts to others.
-Bless everyone you meet.
-Don't make your desires your idols.
-Seek and keep Jesus in your heart and you won't desire anything else.
(Drawing on the Word )
Imagine a world where kindness to one another came before jealousy; where we were happy when someone excels. We take ourselves too seriously and need to spend more time in prayer asking for the one gift that will bring a smile to Jesus. Ask for the gift to love Him above all. And for our priests to be on fire with love for Jesus and His bride the Church. Love overcomes all. We won’t have room for envy.
Comments