Today's Gospel

GOSPEL

 

In order to understand the true nature of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness, we have to let go of the idea that we can earn the gift of eternal life. Yes, there are requirements for eternal life in terms of living by faith but it is only through God’s grace that any of this is possible. The landowner in the Gospel gives the same wage (read reward) to all the workers, even those who have done virtually nothing. God’s forgiveness is the same for us all; it is the entry point for the gift of eternal life. It is the experience of eternal life that will differ from person to person according to the capacity we have all developed.

 

Matthew 20:1-16

1 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. 2 After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ 5 So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 6 Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ 8 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.’ 9 When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. 10 So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12 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.’ 13 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? 14 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15 Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

 

my reflections

t h i n k : Let us be committed in praying regularly that our leaders will be faithful to their flocks and exercise their authority well.