Dear Friend,
In the Gospel this Sunday (Matthew 20:1-16), Jesus continued His description of the kingdom of heaven through another parable. Previously, Jesus likened the kingdom to a man who sowed good seed in his field but weeds also appeared as well; He likened the kingdom also to a mustard seed, yeast, buried treasure, a pearl of great price, and a net thrown into the sea which collects every kind of fish.
In this Gospel, Jesus likened it to a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Please read this Gospel to your family and learn from Jesus what this parable teaches us about the kingdom and His call for laborers.
Pay particular attention to the following:
"After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard." ~ This landowner is fair by agreeing to pay the usual daily wage.
The landowner also went out to hire some more laborers at about nine o’clock, around noon, around three o’clock and at five o’clock and promised them a just wage.
At the end of the day, the landowner paid them all the same usual daily wage.
The first-hired grumbled as they expected to be paid more than the laborers who worked for less hours and/or the later-hired to be paid for less.
But the landowner was generous to the laborers who were hired later in the day.
If the landowner paid the corresponding wage to the laborers who were hired later in the day, he would only be just but not generous.
If the landowner paid the first-hired more than the usual daily wage, he would offset the industry and not be just to the other landowners.
What does this parable say about the kingdom of heaven?
We have a Lord who is not only just but also generous.
In the kingdom of heaven, hence, the Church, serving is a privilege granted by a generous and just Lord. The reward is gratuitous ~ everything is a gift.
What does Jesus mean by His statement, "the last will be first, and the first will be last"? He means the "first" to serve the Church and the "last" to serve the Church. The Jews and the Gentiles? The clergy and the lay? The Lord has His own measure of rewards, and not the world’s measure, or shall we say, "gifts"?
We just have to trust Him and keep on working in His vineyard.
Meditation ~
Many are called but few are chosen. It is a privilege to be called. It is an honor to be chosen -- to be associated with the Lord.
The Lord says, the harvest is great but the laborers are few.
It is my decision to come forward and be counted.
Yes, I can be counted on, as the Lord will be with me.
Contemplation ~
In contemplation, say to the Lord: "Here I am! Call me, Lord!"
Keep repeating these words to Him.
Family Response ~
Support each other in going forward to be counted by the Lord to work in His vineyard.
Joe & Charito
THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA'S
ONLINE RESOURCE FOR FAMILY MINISTRIES
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servants@simbahayan.org
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