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Theo Tigno•
8/20/2003 8:03 am
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Wednesday, Memorial of Saint Bernard |
Matthew 20: 8-16
"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 have begun and will begin school.
There are many people I know who ask me questions regarding judging God's love for how comfortable their lives are today. It seems the more turmoil hits their lives, the more they seem to blame God and blame others for their misfortunes.
So, we have today's reading. The owner gives equally and mercifully to those he promised to give wages to. Those who have been working a full day "expected" to receive more because they worked longer hours, yet they only received what was owed to them.
We look at others and complain about our lot in life. "Why does this person have this?... Why didn't you make me more talented than him?... Why does he have more stuff than me?..." We whine and complain and we fail to understand God's plan for us. We are not made to be good negotiators with God. We were made to be good servants of the Lord and we must be willing to accept the gifts that we have been given. Most of all, we must know that we have been given the greatest gift of all in Jesus giving His life for us on the cross. We have no room to complain because we have been given the forgiveness of our sins, and that is worth more than anything we can imagine complaining about. Take care and God Bless.
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