September 20th : Gospel
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St.Matthew 20: 1–16
At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market-place, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Arul Ootru - Fr.Sengol
"Today's Gospel and Me"
Luke 7:37
"Today's Gospel and Me"
Matthew 20:1-16
Theme:
“Business with God...?”
1. “Deposit Policy” / Dealing Spirituality!
Many times, we deal with God like a businessman in our daily life:
"I prayed the 9-day novena, Lord, please give me that job."
"I offered so many Masses, please don't let any trouble come in my family."
These are some of the deposit / dealing spiritualities we have. Early in the morning, the workers went to the owner and spoke to him, "One denarium" and went to work. We too live a transactional life with God, "I give this, you give me that."
But, God is not a businessman; He is our Father. Spirituality is not a 'deal of give and take'; it is a 'bond of love'.
"Don't be like the early workers; learn to live with God not as a trader, but as a loving child."
2. Comparison / ‘Overtime’ Mindset!
In the corporate world and in our daily work life, we see a big problem: comparison.
Even if our salary is fair, when someone who works less than us gets a special privilege or a bonus from the boss, or a promotion, we get angry immediately. "I have worked for four years, and he just came yesterday? Promotion too?"
In the vineyard, the same thing happened. Those who came early received their agreed wage fully. The jealousy of the others, who looked at what the others got, ruined their joy. In daily life, your blessings are blocked when you compare yourself with others.
Stop comparing: Don't compare your family, children, finances with others and murmur against God. Let go of comparison and rejoice in what you have.
3. ‘Credit’ Expectation-Free Service!
When we do any good deed in our home or outside, if we expect "recognition", "appreciation" and praise, we are still in the mindset of the early workers — 'transactional' thinking.
The latecomers went with only the owner's goodwill. They did not put any conditions. The good deeds we do without any self-interest or expectation make us the first in the eyes of God.
Practical Challenge Today:
* Stop Comparison:
Do not compare your family, children, finances with others and murmur against God.
* Help Without Expectation:
Even if you do not get an immediate return, trust that God will give you what is right.
* Give Thanks:
Realise that "I am not worthy; I live by the grace of God" and thank Him every day.
Amen.
Fr. A. Sengol CSsR
Redemptorist Congregation, Arulagam, Madurai.
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