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
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
Having spent a week with the grandkids, I could become wealthy if I got paid for the number of times I heard, "It's not fair". Whether it was that one got an icee that was in a souvenir cup and the other did not or that one found one more rosary to keep than the other or .... just fill in the blanks.
There are so many instances, though, that the children mirror what the adults do-- grumble, "It is not fair". I have learned to conceal, hide my emotions or my thoughts, but deep inside, I catch myself thinking, "It is not fair".
Life can be seen through the eyes of the vineyard workers. The worldly things can be seen as one person having more than the other. And this view of life can be the pothole to heaven or my saving grace.
Whether it be a talent or a gift, God has chosen to give me what I need to make it to heaven. He also has surrounded me with good people who want to see me go to heaven. Priests, mentors, parents and kindred souls are special friends given to each and everyone of us by God. God calls each one of us to His service and supplies us with the means. His generosity is not limited but it also is not forced on us. We use what is given us with the understanding that God will provide.
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ He did not say, "ya'll", did he? He said "you".
He is talking to each one individually. The denarius given at the end of the day is life with God. There is joy and happiness when working for the Master, doing what He wants me to do.
Am I that special friend who is now part of your life? Are you that special friend in the life of someone?
Whether it be a brief encounter with someone at the store, catechism class, PAPA gatherings, family gatherings, an unsolicited smile, time spent with hairdresser/barber, or a bank teller, we are given golden opportunities to work toward our salvation and to help others reach that end as well.
Is joy part of my life? If I can bring souls to heaven, I can then say that my short life has been lived well.
Bringing the Word of God to others, making disciples to pray for priests who are in persona Christi capitis in ecclesiae--in the person of Christ, the head, in the Church is our PAPA spirituality. The priest is the living and transparent image of Christ and it is the sole vision of PAPA--To see priests on fire for Jesus and His Church, the Body and Bride of Christ.
Comments