Daily Readings - Sun Sep 24 2023
Isaiah
6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Philippians
20According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:24Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.27Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Matthew
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on God's boundless generosity and the call to live with faith and trust in His plan. The first reading from Isaiah urges us to seek the Lord while He is near, emphasizing His mercy and the higher ways of God. This call to repentance reminds us that turning away from sin opens us to receive His forgiveness and grace.
The second reading from Philippians finds Paul expressing a deep longing to be with Christ while acknowledging the importance of his mission. He encourages the Philippians to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel, standing firm in their faith. This passage highlights the balance between desiring eternal life and faithfully serving God's purpose here on earth.
The Gospel parable in Matthew challenges our notions of fairness and reward. The landowner's generosity to all workers, regardless of their hours, illustrates God's grace and the truth that the last shall be first. This parable teaches us to trust in God's plan, which often surpasses our understanding, and to be open to His unexpected ways of bestowing blessings.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace God's ways, live faithfully, and trust in His generosity. Let us seek the Lord with repentant hearts, live out our faith with courage, and remain open to the surprising ways God works in our lives. May we find joy in His plan and trust in His abundant grace.