Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 133
24 SEPT 2023 A.D.


Reading 1
Is 55:6-9

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18

R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.


Reading 2
Phil 1:20c-24, 27a

Brothers and sisters:
Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh,
that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh
is more necessary for your benefit.

Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Alleluia
Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Mt 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."


Overview of the Gospel:

~ Since the Gospel readings a couple of weeks ago, we have skipped over Matthew chapter 19,
in which Jesus discusses the indissolubility of marriage, the little children and Jesus, and the
story of the Rich Young Man.

~ This Sunday’s reading contains the first of three parables in Matthew that concern a vineyard
(Matthew 21:28-32 and 21:33-44). The vineyard was a common Old Testament image for the
people of God (Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 5:10; Ezekiel 19:10-14), usually in the context of their
unfaithfulness to him.

~ In this context, this parable is aimed at the unbelieving Jews of the time who resented the fact
that Gentiles (non-Jews) could be allowed into God’s kingdom on equal status with the Jews
(Matthew 21:45). By extension it also applies to Christians and their attitudes toward late
converts to the Faith.

~ Jesus’ point is that both calls are not owed, but are an entirely free gift from God to give to
whom he chooses. The reward, which is the same for all, is his gift alone to give.
[special thanks to: Vince Contreras: "Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics."]


"Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to ask for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save knowing that we do your will." ~ St. Ignatius of Loyola

Thanks!

You're welcome, Brother, tortilla-flats!