Sunday's Readings: Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalm 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 Philippians 1:20-24, 27 Matthew 20:1-16 This Sunday's Gospel reading ends with our Lord's words, "Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." This is His conclusion to His parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Some laborers had worked the entire day and born the heat of the day. While other laborers had only worked one hour. Yet, the owner of the vineyard paid each the same wage. Each had agreed to receive that wage, but it seemed unfair to the ones who had worked longer than the others. The grumbling of the ones who had worked the entire day prompted the vineyard owner to declare to the complainers, "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?" Our Lord's message in this parable touches upon His great mercy. Indeed, the Lord is very generous in His mercy to us. We who are late in accepting His mercy should simply respond with gratitude to such a kind master. We should simply continue to work in His vineyard sharing the message of His mercy to all in order that all may know Him and love Him. And we should never presume to receive His grace. It is a free gift that He generously bestows upon us. We should be content with His grace that He gives to us and not complain about what others have received from Him.

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

• St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)


• Of Wheat and Weeds (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology


• The Generosity of God from The Crossroads Initiative