DAILY GRACE
August 18, 2020, Tuesday of the 20th Week of Ordinary Time
Scripture: Matthew 19:23-30
Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’
Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Meditation:
“‘. . . for God all things are possible . . . ”
The disciples are clearly startled when Jesus tells them that the rich have such a difficult time entering the kingdom of God. It was commonly believed that riches were a sign of God’s blessing or favor on the person (see Ps. 112:1, 3). Jesus’ saying contradicts a culturally accepted belief. When the disciples hear it, they are probably thinking, “If it’s that difficult for someone who enjoys God’s blessing to enter God’s kingdom, then we don’t have a prayer.”
It can be difficult for those who are wealthy to trust in God. Money and possessions can become idols. Jesus states however that the economy of the kingdom of heaven is different. Those who are able to give up material possessions, or loved ones for the sake of the kingdom of God will inherit eternal life. God’s economy is inverted — those who give away will get what cannot be purchased: salvation. Therefore, your and my net worth is valued not by what is earned, but by what is given away. Indeed, the kingdom itself is a gift; it has no price tag attached and must be received not earned.
Prayer
Lord, we are so used to getting what we need by hard work, by setting goals and pursuing them. It is difficult for us to understand any other way of achieving what we desire. Help us to receive what you give as a “gift.”
Contemplation
“For God all things are possible.”
DAILY GRACE
August 19, 2020, Wednesday of the 20th Week of Ordinary Time
Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Meditation:
“‘. . . what belongs to me . . . ”
God doesn’t have money, nor does God need it. Therefore, this parable must be about something else. A lot of us would say, “This parable is about rewarding the work we do for God. The people who go into the vineyard early are like good Christians, who support their church, donate to the food pantry, make honest decisions in their businesses, etc., etc.” If that’s so, then who are the latecomers who were hired throughout the day?
The question makes us squirm a bit. It’s hard to point a finger at others and identify them as the latecomers who don’t deserve a full day’s wages. We might name some whom everyone would agree are sinner-scoundrels (feel free to put in your own personal list here) — people who make us feel more secure in our place among the laborers who have worked all day in the sun. But we know deep inside that when we point our fingers at another, three fingers still point at ourselves. Regardless of how good or bad we feel ourselves or others to be, we are all laborers, whom God rewards according to his own free choice.
Prayer
Lord, it is easy to convince myself that I’m very good, or despair that I’m very bad. Today I simply want to be who I am: a beloved recipient of your grace. It’s good to receive what you freely give.
Contemplation
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’