GOD loves us as We ARE

Gospel
Matthew 20:1–16a
Are you envious because I am generous?

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “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, the landowner 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, the landowner 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
To me the farm represents the kingdom of God. The kingdom is always open regardless of when we decide to come in. God will always call us to come. Everyone will be treated equally and fairly because he loves us as we are. As witness of Christ we need to share this message about what God's kingdom is all about.We must treat everyone equally for that is love. The priest in his homily quote from Mother Theresa it is not how many degrees you have but how many did you love.

Let us pray
Lord Jesus you have shown us the true meaning of care and love in this gospel. Grant we pray we may continue to love and care so more people will come to your kingdom.
Amen

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