If you're not a fan of the liturgy, you should be. Here's what I mean (in just a small part). The Sunday readings are always connected, especially the first reading and the Gospel reading. Today is yet another fascinating case in point.
The Gospel reading is a story that can be hard to grasp. A man hires people to work in his vineyard at different times of day, so they all work different amounts. Yet at the end of the day, he pays them all the same. It always seemed to me to be patently unfair. It goes against the way I think things should be. And the first reading from Isaiah 55 points to this exactly.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts." The next time we question God and his ways, let's remember this.
Father, forgive us for thinking that you should think like we think. Help us to accept your greater thoughts and ways. Amen.
PS. it was a youth Sunday, geared more for our preschool kids, thus a much shorter service. We usually have the same lessons as you do.
We did not have the readings at our Lutheran Church today so I always appreciate your website with the link to the daily readings. I hope your retirement is going well, as I retireed a year ago too.