Jesus says “that the reign of God 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.
"He went out about nine o’clock and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, so he told them, ‘You, also go into the vineyard and I will pay you whatever is right’. So they went.
“He went out again about noon and around three o’clock, he did the same. At about five o’clock he went out and found still others standing around. He asked, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ ‘No one has hired us’, they told him. He said, ‘You go into the vineyard too’.” (Mt 20:1-7)
The master of the house is almighty God, the Father of the whole human family. The vine the human family, bearing within itself the promised Messiah. The laborers are the patriarchs, prophets, judges, and teachers sent by God, during successive ages of the world, to keep alive in the hearts of men the advent of that expected Messiah. The wage agreed upon is redemption: heaven opened by that Messiah, promised to all who have diligently labored.
“When evening came the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay; begin with the last group, end with the first’.” (cf Mt 20:8)
This inversion in the order of payment is interpreted as a prophecy. The last shall be first and the first, last. That although the Jews were called first into the kingdom of God, they shall nevertheless be the last to enter it as a nation, because they will resist to the end of time the light of grace, except for a small number.
Thus our Lord adds, “many are called (ie, all the Jews), but few are chosen” out of their number among the elect. This is the true sense of the well-known verse, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Mt 22:14), which, falsely applied, has too often discouraged pious souls. If we have them among us, take care, that we give the true meaning.
“When those hired about five o’clock came, each received a full day’s pay. When the first came, they supposed they would get more. ... they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who worked the whole day in the scorching heat’.” (cf Mt 20:6-12)
“‘Friend’, he said, ‘I do you no wrong. You agreed on the usual wage, did you not? Take your pay and go home. I chose to give to this last the same pay as you. I am free to do as I please with my money, am I not? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Mt 20:13-5)
Our Lord predicts the murmurs of the converted Jews, which we read of in the “Acts of the Apostles”, when they saw the Gentiles received into the Church on the same footing as themselves. Let us learn to avoid all pretension and every species of jealousy.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp708-10
‘For many are called, but few are chosen.’
The preceding parable is addressed to the Jewish people, whom God called at an early hour, centuries ago. Now the Gentiles are also being called -- with an equal right to form part of the new people of God, the Church. In both cases, it is a matter of a gratuitious, unmerited, invitation; therefore, those who were the “first” to receive the call have no grounds for complaining when God calls the “last” and gives them the same reward -- membership of his people.
At first sight the laborers of the first hour seem to have a genuine grievance because they do not realize that to have a job in the Lord’s vineyard is a divine gift. Jesus leaves us no doubt; although he calls us to follow different ways, all receive the same reward -- heaven.
Ref: Note on Mt 20:1-16, “The Navarre Bible, The Gospel of St Matthew”, 1988, p166
The fruits that God expects
The things of this world are good in themselves and have a divine worth. Our daily activities must be transformed into good fruit for God. Every noble human undertaking should be sanctified and offered up to God.
Everyday we meet many opportunities to give fruits the Lord expects. For example, we can offer that heroic minute of getting up on time. Or the serenity amidst frustrating traffic jams, even a slight illness.
During the day we can offer up a smile, a friendly word, an act of pardon. The Lord looks for that good fruit in work done well, in punctuality, in order.
A lively presence of God will make us persevere in these offerings. Glances at an image of Our Lady or a crucifix can help.
“He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing ... By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and become my disciples.” (Jn 15:5-8)
Our Mother Mary will teach us the value of producing good fruit for God; also help us to avoid giving bad fruit.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:160-61
Fruitfulness
920 “If you follow faithfully the promptings of grace you will yield good fruit, lasting fruit for the glory of God.
“To be a saint necessarily entails being effective, even though the saint may not see or be aware of the results.”
962 “Some people seem to get annoyed by the good works you are doing, as if a thing ceases to be good when it is not being carried out or organized by themselves.
“This lack of understanding cannot be an excuse for you to slacken off in what you are doing. Try to do it even better, right now. When you get no applause on earth, your work will be all the more welcome in Heaven.”
970 “The sower went out to sow, to scatter the seed at all the crossroads of this earth. What a blessed task we have: the job of making sure in all circumstances of time and place the word of God takes root, springs up and bears fruit.”
983 “Make an effort to spread your Christian spirit to the world about you, so that there may be many friends of the Cross.”
Ref: Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”
St Leo the Great, pope and Doctor of the Church
During his pontificate, the Council of Chalcedon (451) defined that there is in Christ one divine person and two natures, divine and human. He vigorously defended the unity of the Church; and pushed back the barbarians under Attila. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1690)
• In the year 1552, Our Lady of Loretto healed of an incurable malady a Turkish pacha, who was persuaded by one of his slaves, who was a Christian, to have recourse to the Blessed Virgin; this Mohammedan believed him, and promised to give him his liberty, if Our Lady cured him. Having recovered his health, he sent several presents to the church of Our Lady of Loretto, and, among others, his bow and quiver. — Tursellini, Hist. Lanret, lib. iii., c. 18. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Miraculous cure through the intercession of Our Lady of Loretto (1552). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Our Lady of Loretto, instituted as a result of the cure of a Turkish pacha who was persuaded to have recourse to the Blessed Virgin by one of his slaves. After his cure, the pacha sent many presents to the Church of Our Lady of Loretto and freed his slave. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of Loretto. Litany of Loretto. According to tradition, a band of angels picked up the house where Mary was born, and brought it to Loreto, Italy. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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