The first reading today from Ezekiel 34 speaks of bad shepherds. This should be a reminder to us to pray for our bishops. They are men, and it may seem that some have become just worldly administrators, not truly concerned with saving souls. Pray. God will judge us all in the end.
Today's Gospel reading from Matthew 20 is the story of a landowner who hires laborers for his vineyard. Some begin first thing in the morning, some work only a short time at the end of the day. All are given the same wage. The ones who worked the whole day object and the landowner says, "Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?"
I've always related to those workers who were miffed. It seems rather unjust that they, after working nine hours, get paid the same as the one who only worked an hour. But then I remember just how petty I am. The landowner, of course, represents God, and the story is about how it's never too late to come and work in the vineyard. Let's thank God for his generosity and pray that all will follow the call to come into the kingdom, no matter how late in the game.
Father, forgive me for my pettiness. Let me experience the same joy you do whenever someone wishes to enter the kingdom. Amen.
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