Gospel: 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.”
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Reflection:
The story is told about a woman who was envious of her rich neighbor. She
would always complain to God why they are rich while they are not. She thought
that God was being unfair to her because she is serving in their church.
Months and years had passed; her complaint to God was still the same:
“Why is it that they are rich while we are not?” Then, one night she had
a dream and in that dream God said to her: You only measure the blessings that
I bestow upon you by the money and properties that you possess and see.
God further said to her: Yes you are not blessed materially but look at
your very successful and very well brought-up children. Look at your loving
husband that has been faithful to you since day one of your married life. Look
at your health, nobody amongst your family members have been to a hospital for
health issues. Suddenly the woman had a realization that she was far more
blessed by God than her neighbor.
The workers in the vineyard who worked early complained about wages and
that is material wealth or money! They failed to realize that they were first
assured of the day’s work by the landowner early of that morning. And surely it
created already a guarantee that they have something to feed to their families
for the coming days. Unlike those who came in late who were not assured of
something to feed they families until late in the afternoon.
When we account the blessings that God gives us let us not solely focus
on money or any material wealth because we might complain also. Let us rather
have a holistic appreciation of God’s blessings for us. Such as peace and good
health inside the family, faithfulness and tranquillity in the married life .
Plus many more blessings that cannot be quantified by any amount of
money.
Often times God’s blessings upon us are hidden beyond the glitters of
material wealth and money. But if we are sensitive to the Lord’s goodness we
would be able to discern it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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