1ST READING
Sometimes we will find it hard to understand what the Lord is doing in our lives. This is OK. God is so much smarter than we are and He knows what we need better than we do. There are times when we just have to trust that whatever He is doing is going to turn out to be the best for us. It does not mean that we will just sit back and wait for God to do everything — we still have to seek His will, seek to understand it, and put it into practice, while trusting that He will guide us.
Isaiah 55:6-9
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near. 7 Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.
P S A L M
Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18
R: The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
2 Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. (R) 8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. 9 The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. (R) 17 The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. (R)
2ND READING
What is the bottom line for Paul? That we all conduct ourselves in the way of Christ. In other words — become a disciple of Jesus for the rest of your life. There is no higher calling than that. Being a disciple means many things. This means that while we can be inspired by the response of others to the grace of God at work in their lives, we still need to make our own response according to His will and grace.
Philippians 1:20-24, 27
20 Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. 22 If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. 23 I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. 27 Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.
GOSPEL
It is God’s prerogative to dispense His blessings and graces as He desires. There is no formula as to how much grace we get for doing anything in particular. We simply respond to God’s love for us and He keeps drawing us deeper into our relationship with Him. How He does that and how long it takes is up to God and whether or not we respond to His grace. There lies the challenge.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.
Matthew 20:1-16
1 Jesus told his people this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ 5 So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 6 Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ 8 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.’ 9 When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. 10 So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12 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.’ 13 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? 14 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15 Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
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