September 21, 2014

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9

   Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near. Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

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Responsorial Psalm: 145:2-3.8-9.17-18
Response: The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
   Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. (Response)
  The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. (Response)
   The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth. (Response)

Second Reading: Philippians 1:20-24,27

   Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit. Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

   Jesus said to his disciples: "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
   Kingdom of heaven is not a place of rest. It is a place where one goes to work. The owner invites people to work. It is not a work for nothing. The work brings reward. Interesting factors are that one can be called to come for work at anytime. The kingdom is not controlled by time or talent. It is open to anyone. It is an inclusive place. It includes everyone and entry is free and at anytime.
   In the kingdom also we find grumblers. People come in with secular (social) mind. Their thinking is controlled by social values and social systems. They expect social stratifications. But the attitude of the owner is important. He does the things that are not in a society. The owner is a generous person and he is a good person. His goodness causes envy among people. He continues to be what he is.