Matthew 20:1–16
Jesus said to his disciples, "For the kingdom of heaven
is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his
vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent
them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others
standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, 'You also go into the
vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. When he went out
again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. And about five
o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why
are you standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired
us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' When evening came, the
owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the labourers and give them
their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' When those
hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now
when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them
also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled
against the landowner, 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 the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I
choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do
what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am
generous?' So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Reflection
Do I always give thanks when I look at my life and see what
is good?
Do I think that I am
without blessing or that God loves me less?