Reading 1
Jgs 9:6-15
All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together
and proceeded to make Abimelech king
by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem.
When this was reported to him,
Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim and, standing there,
cried out to them in a loud voice:
"Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you!
Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves.
So they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
But the olive tree answered them, 'Must I give up my rich oil,
whereby men and gods are honored,
and go to wave over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come; you reign over us!'
But the fig tree answered them,
'Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit,
and go to wave over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come you, and reign over us.'
But the vine answered them,
'Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men,
and go to wave over the trees?'
Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, 'Come; you reign over us!'
But the buckthorn replied to the trees,
'If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith,
come and take refuge in my shadow.
Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'
"Responsorial Psalm
Ps 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7R. (2a)
Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
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.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
You made him a blessing forever,
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Gospel
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.’
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.”
Meditation: Matthew 20:1-16
“Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15)
The parable of the laborers in the vineyard can seem like a paradox, can’t it? Why would the owner hire people at different times of the day, yet pay everyone the same amount of money? In the world’s eyes this might be considered an unjust labor practice or at the very least employee favoritism.
But Jesus had a different economic model in mind. He was asking his disciples to think the way God thinks. As owner of the “vineyard” that is his kingdom, God is not concerned with pay equity as much as he is with mercy. In the parable, everyone who worked a full day received a just compensation for their labors. But the owner’s heart broke to see others go without enough to feed their families, and so he gave them what they needed as well. The early-morning hires began to complain only when they saw his generosity. They knew deep down that they were being treated fairly; they just weren’t used to seeing someone be as merciful and generous as this man!
God indeed is great in his mercy! Consider how many times in the course of a day you fall short of the calling God has for you. Consider how often you fail to reach the ideal not just in terms of your behavior but your thoughts, your desires, and your attitudes. And still, all you need is one good Confession, and it’s all wiped away. Heaven is still yours, just as it is for those who have lived more perfect, nearly sinless lives.
God overlooks so much in our lives. At the same time, he smiles on every small act of kindness; he rewards every little sign of love; and he rejoices in every godly decision. He can’t bear the thought of our living apart from him, and so he is extremely generous with us!
So celebrate God’s generosity today. Rejoice in his kindness toward you. While you were lost in sin, he gave up his only Son to bring you back. And even today, should you lose your way, he will take you back in a heartbeat. He knows your weaknesses. He knows your needs. He sees into the darkest places that even you can’t see—and still he loves you. Still he pours his blessings upon you. Still he welcomes you!
“Lord, may I never lose sight of your great mercy!”
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