Daily Gospel Reflection

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September 24, 2023

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mt 20:1-6a
Listen to the Audio Version

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

Greg Barry ’03
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For the longest time, I struggled with the workers in today’s vineyard parable. The nerve of that landowner—emotionally setting up the early workers to expect a windfall and playing them for suckers. And then he has the nerve to make them feel guilty about it!

As a young person with an overdeveloped sense of justice (and an underdeveloped sense of generosity), this seemed beyond the pale. The disciples who heard the parable must have felt similarly.

In the preceding chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells the Twelve about the favor and rewards in the kingdom of heaven for leaving everything behind to follow him. But now, in a parable directly addressed to his disciples—not to the Pharisees or a crowd—Jesus teaches that others who come into the fold later will receive the same thing.

Not exactly getting the message, James and John immediately demand their payment upfront—a promise to be Jesus’ left and right-hand men in the kingdom. However, they eventually came around. By the time of Acts, they spread the Word and cared for all followers, including gentiles, at incredible personal risk, James himself martyred.

Perhaps today’s parable is meant to challenge us on our preconceived notions of justice to make us slow down and consider our own discipleship. Jesus invites his disciples in his time and ours to contemplate God’s superabundant love toward those who accept the Word regardless of when. But as generous as God is for rewarding those who answer the call later on, how fortunate are those who have been laboring in the vineyard from early on? How blessed to be a force for good and for God from the moment we are called!

May we all accept the gift of working in the vineyard to build God’s kingdom alongside our brothers and sisters for as long as the day holds.

Prayer

Rev. Herbert Yost, C.S.C.

Lord God, we are thankful that we may come before you, confused, even puzzled at times, at our failures and weakness in serving you. We know that if we seek forgiveness, we shall find it. You have assured us that even the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner turning back to the Lord of love and forgiveness. Hear our prayer, Lord, and look not at our failures, but at our hearts that desire to be one with you. Let us honor you in word and deed, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Pacifico of San Severino

St. Pacifico did not let a painful illness that robbed him of his speech and sight impair his pursuit of holiness.

He was born in 1653 in San Severino, Italy. When he was 5 years old, both of his parents died, and he was raised by an uncle, who was abusive and used the boy as a servant.

When he was 17 Pacifico joined the Franciscan order, and was ordained a priest at the age of 25. He spent two years teaching philosophy to his brothers in community, but it became clear that he had a talent for skillful preaching. He was sent throughout the region preaching and hearing confessions. His mission work was well received, and he had a gift for helping people confess their sins.

When he was in his mid-30s, he was struck blind and mute, and he developed sores that incapacitated his legs. He spent the rest of his time in the monastery, praying and doing what he could to help in the administration of his community.

Even though he suffered greatly from his debilitating illnesses, he continued to apply discipline to his body to sharpen his will; his superiors had to order him to limit his fasting because he would do his health further damage. During Mass, he was often caught up in ecstatic prayer, and would spend several hours in contemplation.

He was given the gifts of prophecy and healing, and after he died in 1721, miracles were reported at his tomb. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.

St. Pacifico of San Severino, you would not let debilitating illness stand in the way of pursuing holiness--pray for us!