Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a
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,
the landowner 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,
the landowner 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.”
Reflection:
Our gospel for today is from Matthew 20:1-16a is a very interesting gospel. There is a line that we should always remember in this gospel. “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” So how do we explain this so we all can understand?
The gospel is telling us that the life we have right now is not something like a race. We all go our ways on our own pace and there is nothing to worry even if you are always at last. You only need to do your thing and ask Jesus for guidance. If you do this, everything will fall into place.
Matthew 20:1-16a is telling us that this life is not a competition but instead. Jesus does not require us to be famous, to be rich to be always in line first. He does not need us to be always the first one to get saved. All we are alike here in this universe, rich or poor.
It is clear enough that if we remain humble and wait for our turn, Jesus will grant us what we desire. It is like waiting with high hopes that God will always give us what we need.
Matthew 20:1-16a tells us to always believe in the power of prayer. To always trust the might will of God. The master in this life is Jesus and we don’t need to compete with others in our fight. Even if others will be early enough is they are not that humble, then will can’t enter heaven.
This is the message of the gospel from Matthew 20:1-16a is telling us up to this day. Remember that those who come last might always have the chance in heaven with God. In this life we have, we have to humble ourselves. Put God in the center of everything and pray. – Clea | Helpline PH
