Daily Readings - Wed Aug 18 2021
Judges
6Then all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the families of the city of Millo, and they went and appointed Abimelech as king, beside the oak that stood at Shechem7When this had been reported to Jotham, he went and stood at the top of Mount Gerizim. And lifting up his voice, he cried out and said: "Listen to me, men of Shechem, so that God may listen to you8The trees went to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.9And it responded, ‘How could I abandon my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, and depart to be promoted among the trees?10And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and accept royal power over us.11And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my sweetness, and my very sweet fruits, and depart to be promoted among the other trees?12And the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.13And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?14And all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.15And it responded to them: ‘If truly you would appoint me as king, come and rest under my shadow. But if you are not willing, let fire go forth from the bramble, and let it devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
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 leadership, judgment, and the surprising ways of God. In the first reading from Judges, Jotham’s parable of the trees offers a cautionary tale about the choices we make in selecting leaders. The trees, seeking a king, reject the olive tree, fig tree, and vine—all of which provide nourishment and joy—because they value their own gifts too much to take on the responsibility of ruling. Only the bramble, a thorny and troublesome plant, accepts the role, warning that if the trees are not willing to submit to its rule, it will destroy them with fire. This parable reminds us that leadership can often be a double-edged sword, and those who seek power for the wrong reasons may bring harm rather than prosperity.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, challenging our human notions of fairness and justice. The landowner hires workers at different times of the day, yet pays them all the same wage, regardless of how long they worked. When the first workers complain, the landowner responds by emphasizing his generosity and his right to do as he pleases. This parable upends our expectations, teaching us that God’s ways are not our ways. His kingdom is not about earning rewards based on merit but about receiving His abundant grace freely. It invites us to trust in His goodness and not to judge others based on our own limited understanding.
Both readings call us to reflect on how we relate to God and to one another. The parable of the trees warns us about the dangers of self-serving leadership and the importance of humility. The parable of the laborers reminds us to let go of our need to compare ourselves to others and instead embrace the boundless generosity of God. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s judgment, to be open to His surprises, and to live with gratitude for the gifts He freely gives. May we learn to see the world through the lens of His mercy and to live in harmony with His will.