Daily Readings - Wed Aug 21 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages from Ezekiel and Matthew that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our responsibilities toward others. Ezekiel's prophecy condemns the shepherds of Israel for their failure to care for their flock, highlighting their self-interest and neglect of the weak and lost. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of abandoning our duties to care for one another. Conversely, Matthew's parable of the laborers in the vineyard challenges our understanding of justice and generosity. The landowner's decision to pay all workers equally, regardless of their work duration, illustrates God's boundless mercy and grace, emphasizing that His ways are not our ways.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of God's direct involvement in the lives of His people. Ezekiel shows God stepping in to care for His scattered flock, while Matthew reveals God's generosity that defies human notions of fairness. Together, they call us to humility and trust in God's plan, recognizing that true justice and mercy are rooted in His love.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace our roles as caregivers and stewards, whether in our families, communities, or workplaces. Let us strive to care for others with compassion and humility, trusting in God's plan and rejoicing in His generosity. May we find joy in serving others and trust in God's promise that the last shall be first.