This Gospel speaks to me in this way. The kingdom of heaven is for everyone, not only me. It does not matter where you are in your spiritual journey the Lord is merciful and forgiving no matter if we are early or late in seeking him. Even if we seek him late in our lives our salvation is a gift from God and we will not be treated any differently than the devout who have always followed him. Jesus is continuously calling us to him and will wait until the time we decide to to give our lives and love over to God freely. And the miracle is that he loves us all just the same, can we say that in our own lives? Let us not be afraid to take a risk on a loving relationship with our savior, Jesus Christ and our neighbors, for it is in the risk that we grow in virtue on our quest for holiness. Seek always the kingdom of God in a relationship with Him by living a good and virtuous life for the good of all.
Here are the reflection questions in the commentary link below for the Gospel on this upcoming 25th Sunday in ordinary time.
"Have you been idle? Are you concerned about your eternal salvation? What are you doing about it? Do you frequently examine your conscience and are careful to avoid sin in your life? Are you always trying to do God’s will? Do you go to confession often to receive forgiveness and grace from Jesus to overcome your weaknesses? Do you immediately tell God you’re sorry as soon as you do wrong? What are your dominant faults? Are you trying to overcome them? Do you work at prayer and daily meditate on the word of God? Are you a laborer in the kingdom of God? Or do you stand idle all day? The word of God says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12)."
The Lord calls each and everyone of us to build up his Kingdom, are you working out your salvation or are you idle? Do not be afraid to follow Jesus? Pray and ask come Lord Jesus come!
Matthew 20:1-16a
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."
Commentary on this weeks Gospel.
http://comelordjesus.com/index.cfm?load=page&page=268
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