THE WAY OF GOD - 09/24/23 (Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 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: 

What is just in the eyes of God may not be just in the eyes of men. But as humans who are short-sighted, our limited view is nothing compared to God who knows all things. Hence, shouldn't we trust Him? In today's gospel, we saw the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. The Lord is the landowner, and we are the laborers at different times of the day. He told the workers who first came to him at 9:00 to start their labor, “You too go into my vineyard, I will give you what is just.” They worked at an agreed amount, but they ended up complaining after they received their salary. Similarly, God offers the same heaven and salvation for those who repent at any point in their life. Even those on the deathbed can still be saved, or those who spent their whole lives doing sin but later repented when they got older. They too can enter the Kingdom of God in heaven.

There is always the sacrament of reconciliation where God can erase all our sins and we are reborn as new persons who can start over again. In this case who is right? Is it God or the complainants? Is God really wrong if He offers the same reward for all people who go to Him even sooner or later? Are we really right to condemn sinners as if they deserve no chance? People are typically quick to condemn but slow to understand. To understand and accept our own sins and those of others is the grace of God in itself. Remember that the Church exists for God's plan of salvation. Every day there is a Holy Mass celebrated for us all. Wherever there is a priest, one can always ask for a confession. At any time of the day or any time in our lives, even if it's not Christmas or Lent, we can always return to God and work for Him. It will be and it is the greatest fulfillment of each of our lives. May God grant us the courage to serve and love Him and to leave sin. Amen.

Source:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092423.cfm

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

- Marga de Jesus