Gospel – Matthew 20:1-16

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 on the Gospel

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

Jesus again reminds us to remain humble and truly grateful for the joy, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion he has shown us.  We need to celebrate those who have accepted to “toil” for Christ even if they did not make this decision until much later in life.  My duty is to do the will of God and not to demand “payment” or expect special treatment.  My reward will be heaven and my joy will come from doing the work of my Lord and Savior.  If we truly humble ourselves and remember that all that we have comes from the Lord then we will never concern ourselves for our “just due.”  Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all that you have done for me and continue to do for all the world.

Mr. David Slusser – Senior Theology Teacher
De La Salle Collegiate High School – Warren, MI

 

Saint John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts – Forever.