Daily Readings - Wed Aug 22 2018
Ezekiel
1And the word of the Lord came to me, saying2"Son of man, prophesy about the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and you shall say to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the flocks be fed by the shepherds3You consumed the milk, and you covered yourselves with the wool, and you killed what was fattened. But my flock you did not feed4What was weak, you have not strengthened, and what was sick, you have not healed. What was broken, you have not bound, and what was cast aside, you have not led back again, and what was lost, you have not sought. Instead, you ruled over them with severity and with power5And my sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd. And they became devoured by all the wild beasts of the field, and they were dispersed6My sheep have wandered to every mountain and to every exalted hill. And my flocks have been scattered across the face of the earth. And there was no one who sought them; there was no one, I say, who sought them7Because of this, O shepherds, listen to the word of the Lord8As I live, says the Lord God, since my flocks have become a prey, and my sheep have been devoured by all the wild beasts of the field, since there was no shepherd, for my shepherds did not seek my flock, but instead the shepherds fed themselves, and they did not feed my flocks9because of this, O shepherds, listen to the word of the Lord10Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I myself will be over the shepherds. I will require my flock at their hand, and I will cause them to cease, so that they no longer refrain from feeding the flock. Neither will the shepherds feed themselves any more. And I will deliver my flock from their mouth; and it will no longer be food for them11For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I myself will seek my sheep, and I myself will visit them
Matthew
1"The kingdom of heaven is like the father of a family who went out in early morning to lead workers into his vineyard2Then, having made an agreement with the workers for one denarius per day, he sent them into his vineyard3And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace4And he said to them, ‘You may go into my vineyard, too, and what I will give you will be just.5So they went forth. But again, he went out about the sixth, and about the ninth hour, and he acted similarly6Yet truly, about the eleventh hour, he went out and found others standing, and he said to them, ‘Why have you stood here idle all day?7They say to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also may go into my vineyard.8And when evening had arrived, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last, even to the first.9And so, when those who had arrived about the eleventh hour came forward, each received a single denarius10Then when the first ones also came forward, they considered that they would receive more. But they, too, received one denarius11And upon receiving it, they murmured against the father of the family12saying, ‘These last have worked for one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who worked bearing the weight and heat of the day.13But responding to one of them, he said: ‘Friend, I caused you no injury. Did you not agree with me to one denarius14Take what is yours and go. But it is my will to give to this last, just as to you15And is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Or is your eye wicked because I am good?16So then, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, but few are chosen.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s justice, mercy, and the call to humility. In the first reading from Ezekiel, we hear a powerful rebuke of the shepherds of Israel who failed to care for God’s people. Ezekiel speaks on behalf of the Lord, condemning those who prioritized their own interests over the well-being of the flock. The shepherds neglected the weak, the sick, and the lost, ruling with harshness instead of compassion. This passage serves as a stark reminder that leadership is not about self-serving power but about serving others with love and care. God promises to intervene, seeking out His scattered flock and restoring them, for He is the true Shepherd who cares for His people.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, challenging our notions of fairness and reward. The landowner hires workers at different times of the day, yet pays them all the same wage. When the early laborers complain, the landowner reminds them that His generosity is not limited by human notions of fairness. This parable underscores the boundless mercy and grace of God, who calls everyone to His kingdom, regardless of when they respond. It also calls us to humility, warning against envy or resentment toward others. The last shall be first, and the first shall be last, for God’s ways are not our ways, and His love is not constrained by our expectations.
Together, these readings remind us that our relationship with God is not about earning rewards but about trusting in His goodness. Like the shepherds in Ezekiel, we are called to care for one another, especially the vulnerable. And like the laborers in the vineyard, we are invited to embrace humility and gratitude, recognizing that God’s grace is a gift, not something we can earn. Let us strive to live with hearts open to His mercy, trusting in His plan, and serving others with love.