Sunday, September 18, 2005

 
While I was listening to the gospel this morning...which is as follows:

Matthew
Chapter 20
1
1 "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
2
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.
3
Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4
2 and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.'
5
So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise.
6
Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
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They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'
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3 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.'
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When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage.
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So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.
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And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner,
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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.'
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He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. 4 Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
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5 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
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(Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?'
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6 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
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I had a different thought..one that goes against the normal interpretation.

I thought the workers who are called first....are the ones who blessed. The reason being....they have no worry as to whether or not they will obtain work..they can work with peace of mind. As the next group is called, they are also blessed...with no further worry about whether or not they will have a job. Those who were hired last.....had to live a day of uncertainty.

In our lives, we are called at different times to do God's work. Some, early in life know that they are to be of service to God as a priest, minister, rabbi, nun......peace corps volunteer, some type of service to humanity doing God's will. Other's find out in later in life...in their 40's or 50's that God has called them to work in His fields. Finally, in the twilight of life God's grace reaches a person, and that person realizes it is not too late to give of themselves.

Truly the person who has enjoyed the greatest blessing...is the one, who, from the very beginning understood we all have a role to play in God's field. In taking the hoe in hand, and working the field you are experiencing the comfort of knowing Our heavenly Father is pleased with you, and heaven awaits you.

The hidden gift...is the priceless peace of mind.
posted by Maggie 9/18/2005 02:44:00 PM