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… – Matthew 20:10-11

       I am always for fairness and equality. After all, we were taught that hard work earns good rewards. If I study hard, I get good grades in school. If I work diligently on the job, I get a raise or a promotion. So on and so forth.

       When I started serving the Lord, many wonderful blessings that I did not ask for came my way. I was truly grateful for them, but the things I desired the most and endlessly prayed for were landing on other people’s laps. So you can imagine how I grumbled, much like the first laborers in today’s parable. “What about me? I’ve served You longer. Shouldn’t I have gotten by now what I’ve been asking for?”

       But I have learned that God’s fairness is not measured by our deeds — or misdeeds. That His blessings are available to all. That He will not grant them if they are not going to do us good.

       As I turn a year older today, I thank God that He did not grant all that I desired.

       Instead, He gave me more than my fair share — all that is best for me. Nova A. Sevilla (nova.svp@gmail.com)

Reflection: If the Lord granted your greatest wish right now, would it affect your life positively or negatively?

You know me more than I do, Lord Jesus. Teach me to embrace every blessing that You have justly picked out for me. Amen.

The shepherds have failed in their duty to care for the sheep and suffered the Lord’s ire. They have feasted on the food of the flock and allowed them to fall prey to ravenous wolves. Judgment Day will not be a good experience for the shepherds. Let us pray for all the shepherds in the Church that they will be true to their mission and care for their flock.

Ezekiel 34:1-11

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, in these words prophesy to them: Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? 3 You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. 4 You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered 6 and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; my sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for them. 7 Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As I live, says the Lord God, because my sheep have been given over to pillage, and because my sheep have become food for every wild beast, for lack of a shepherd; because my shepherds did not look after my sheep, but pastured themselves and did not pasture my sheep; 9 because of this, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 Thus says the Lord God: I swear I am coming against these shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths. 11 For thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

Jesus is our Lord and Master. Without His mercy, we will be condemned to death because of our sins. We must never compare with others how God treats us. He treats us differently and knows what each of us needs. He willingly provides all that we need. Let us not resent what God gives to others but be grateful for what He has given us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Matthew 20:1-16

1 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. 2 After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 Going out about nine o’clock, he 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, he 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.”

think: Let us pray for all the shepherds in the Church that they will be true to their mission and care for their flock.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 5-8  

NOT FAIR!

Some of Jesus’ parables are shocking, like the one we read today. If an employer would do today what the owner of the vineyard did, it would cause an uproar, even a violent strike, from the labor union.

    We measure everyone and everything by justice. We have to, otherwise society will become one big mess. But many Christians also find this story scandalous because it offers a picture of God who seems unfair.

       The great French Catholic novelist, Francois Mauriac, wrote several novels with many of his characters undergoing last-minute conversion, sometimes only on their deathbed, and so reach heaven after a life of sin. We also read such stories in the Bible. Remember the criminal crucified alongside with Jesus? He asked for forgiveness and Jesus promised him minutes before his death that he will be with Him in paradise.

       Unfair, the first group of hired workers cry in our parable. The sinners who convert in the last minute of their lives receive the same salary — heaven — as the Christians who have struggled their whole lives to keep God’s commandments and live a God-pleasing life. Is that fair?

       Jesus’ answer to that question is obvious. He admits that God is not fair according to the human standards of justice. God does not remain on the level of mere justice because God is pure love, and pure love goes beyond justice. Love is extravagant, exaggerated and unreasonable. Mere human justice cannot understand the reasons of love.

      The parable tells us about the generosity of God. We cannot earn what God gives us, which He does so out of the goodness of His heart. It is not a salary, but a gift; not a reward, but a grace.

       To summarize, the parable does not deal with social justice but with God’s infinite goodness, generosity, grace and love.  What Jesus is telling us today is that God is not an accountant. He is our loving Father. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you react when you hear that a criminal or great sinner converts on his deathbed?

Lord, I am often so narrow-minded and forget that Your love is limitless. Through Your example, let me learn how I should relate with others. Amen.