Matthew 20:1-16 “in a snailshell”
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang
“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, 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.”
Matthew 20:1-16
Dear GMC, your reflection today is spiritually sublime. Having once been in advertising, it reads like a “big idea” (David Ogilvy) ad for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Your call to action sent me hurtling down the USCCB Web site for a prayer. I found Prayer #30:
God, the source of
creation and love,
You invite each of
us to serve you through the life
which is your gift.
May your grace
encourage men and women to heights
of holiness through service to the church
as priests, sisters, brothers, and lay ministers.
Make me an
instrument to encourage others
to give of themselves and
challenge me to do the same.
Amen.
Union rules need not apply;
God mediates with mercy.
Rain falls on just and unjust;
God’s love in endless supply.
Thank you both for engaging with our posts! God bless you!
Dear GMC, thank you and Father Victor for holy preaching, non-stop teaching, and tireless reaching. And I am ever faithful, ever prayerful, ever grateful, and ever songful…Words from my favorite hymn convey my prayer for all:
“…Sanctify our search for knowledge
and the truth that sets us free.
Come, illumine mind and spirit
joined in deepest unity.
Vine of truth, in you we flourish;
by your grace we learn and grow.
May the word of Christ among us
shape our life, our search to know.
Joined to Christ in living, dying,
may we help the church convey
witness to the saving gospel,
bearing fruit of faith today.” Amen.