The Vineyard of the Lord is the Church.

The Parable of the Landowner & the Vineyard. 

"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.” (Matthew 20: 1 - 16a).

Sunday 24th Week in Ordinary Time. 

Our spiritual food today is the Parable of the Landowner and the Vineyard. Where is the meat in this Parable? First, it is easy to tell that the Landowner is God. The Vineyard is the Church. The Catechism teaches that the Church is the seed of the Kingdom of God in this world. (Cf CCC 541).

The Laborers in the Vineyard are you and me. 

The Parable teaches us that the Landowner is a just Employer. He is like a Father to all the laborers. If we know that our Employer is kind, fair and just, it will be well for us. Many employees adopt an adversarial posture with regard to their employers. Unfortunately too, many people fear God. God wants His children to love Him, not fear Him. Reverence is the right attitude towards God and not sevile fear. 

Those who know their God shall stand up and be recognized. (Cf Daniel 11: 32).

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways," (Isaiah 55: 8).

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul. 

In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us  mercies from her Son Jesus. 

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirstcommunity.com