Daily Readings - Sun Sep 24 2017
Philippians
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
Matthew
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard.2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.'5So they went.6"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'7"'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius.10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on trust in God’s plan and the nature of divine generosity. The Second Reading from Philippians reveals Paul’s deep trust in God’s will, whether through life or death. Paul is torn between the desire to be with Christ and the commitment to serve the Philippians, yet he remains steadfast, urging them to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel. His trust in God’s plan is unwavering, a testament to his faith.
The Gospel from Matthew presents the parable of the workers in the vineyard, where the landowner’s generosity challenges conventional notions of merit and reward. Despite varying hours of work, all workers receive the same pay, illustrating God’s boundless grace. This parable invites us to reflect on our own attitudes towards fairness and generosity, encouraging humility and recognition of God’s sovereign will.
These readings remind us to trust in God’s plan and embrace His generosity with humility. Just as Paul trusted in God’s will, we too can find peace in surrendering to His plan. The parable teaches us that our worth is not measured by earthly standards but by God’s grace. Let us approach life with humility, trusting in His generosity and living in accordance with the Gospel values of love and service.