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Theo Tigno•
8/19/2008 10:56 pm
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Wednesday, August 20th 2008 |
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, 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."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who are seeking employment.
Sometimes I have that conversation in my head.
You may have heard that conversation. Sometimes you look at someone or you hear about someone and you start to beat yourself up over the things that you may not have. Other times, you look at someone or hear about them and there's a part of you that takes a jab at the other person because your pride may have taken an upper-cut.
Sometimes it may be an economic comparison. Other times it may be the way someone lives their lives. Whatever the case, I have to remind myself that everyone is called to be a saint. Everyone is made with a capacity to love God. Everyone is made with the free will to turn from Him as well.
We all need mercy, so the least we can do is bring His mercy to others. Actually, the thing I struggle with the most is that I have a great "interior voice" and the unmerciful thoughts go on in my head. I have been trying to offer those thoughts up for the people whom I have a hard time loving, but at times, I take the conversion for a drive down the road.
We all need God's grace. It doesn't matter how you came to share in His work. All that matters is that you're invited and He is continuing to invite others. Let us rejoice in their call as we rejoice in ours. Take care and God Bless.
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