Generous Lord
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 20:1-16 - 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, he 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, he 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.” (Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud “You too go into my vineyard.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family Notice how often in the Gospels Jesus thinks differently than we do. In the parable today, like many other parables, Jesus is speaking in part about the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews, who have long been God’s people, are surprised and upset by the fact that the Gentiles, with their sinful history, would all of a sudden be welcomed by God. But Jesus challenges them by asking, “…am I not free to do as I wish…” with what is mine?
God is greatly generous in His mercy. This is easy to see in the lives and attitudes of people who have converted to Christianity after years of living apart from Christ. But those of us who have been living the Christian life for many years must also be reminded that God has been, and continues to be, rich in mercy toward us. It is the same great mercy that made us Christians, that brought us near to Christ years ago, that saved us from many unsatisfying years of living apart from Him, and that still forgives us amidst our continual sin. We must have great gratitude that what the Lord wishes for us is His great mercy.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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