A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 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.'”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus describes to the disciples the Kingdom of heaven through the Parable of the Landowner. In the parable, the landowner goes out at dawn, at nine o’clock, at noon, and at three o’clock to look for laborers for his vineyard. At the end of the day, when being paid, the workers who were hired early in the morning grumble, feeling that they should have received more for their longer hours of work. But all receive the same wage they had agreed on. Just as the landowner goes out looking for laborers, God goes out between those hours—at all hours of the day—to bring to himself anyone who would hear his call. God’s love and blessings are freely given to all who respond to him.
God, your generosity is overflowing and unfathomable. Jesus says in the parable the words of the landowner: “Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?” You give to those who call out idly to you the same love as those who arise at dawn each day to praise your name. Lord, when I ask to offer the day’s works, joys, and sufferings, you hear and give me ample opportunity to see you in them. Thank you, Lord; make yourself know to me today. Come to me early and often so that I can hear your call to work in your vineyard.
From the responsorial psalm: “O LORD, in your strength the king is glad; in your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire; you refused not the wish of his lips.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.