GOSPEL THOUGHTS
25th Week
– Sunday
Gospel – Matthew 20: 1-16
First Reading - Is 55:6-9
Second Reading – Phil
1:20c-24, 27
The Real Character of the Landowner
1) He was a hard working person
He went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Going out early in the morning to find out the workers shows how much he was involved in the work
Over and above he had the vineyard, which is the fruit of his hard work.
He used all his time to work for the betterment of his vineyard.
So he was not a lazy person but a active and hardworking person.
2) Perseverance of the landowner
He went in search of the labourers for five times
It was not that once he went in serch of the labourers and then kept quiet.
Going *five times* shows the perseverance of the landowner. He was ready to go many times in search of the labourers.
3) Trust of the landownerOnce he showed them the vineyard to the labourers, he told them to go and work there.
After the workers had gone, he didn't go to the vineyard to check the workers whether they are working or not.
He had full confidence in the Workers
The parable also does not say that the workers did not work properly or any complaint about their work.
This shows, workers worked sincerely and the landowner had full trust in them
4) The freedom given by the landowner
The landowner simply said, go and work in my vineyard.
The landowner is not specifying any particular work to be done by the labourers.
This shows that landowner gives the freedom to work in the vineyard, but only to do good and not bad.
Since work is not specified, there is lots possibilities to work in a creative way and each one can choose, what type work he wants to do
So the aspect of freedom is seen in the nature of the landowner
5) Generosity of the landowner
Instead of saying that *The landowner paid equal amount to all* it is better to say that the landowner was extremely generous towards those came in the evening.
To the last workers he paid full amount and they had worked only for one hour
Even then He paid full days of salary.
This is the height of his generosity.
6) The patience of the Landowner
Those who came in the morning and who had worked for the whole day got the days wage.
Comparing the done by others and them, they thought they would get more
When they didn't get more, they grumbled at the landowner.
They argued with the landowner
But landowner didn't lose his patience. He politely told them reality of their contract.
The landowner neither grumbled about their work or nor spoke anything about it.
7) Landowner kept up is word: A disciplined Master
He didn't cheat any one. He kept up his word at every moment
Working with such precision needs a strong spirituality and value based life
The landowner’s attitude shows all these values and disciplined way of life.
He had a great concern towords the labourers that's why he went in search of them for five times
He gave them the just wage without cheating any one
To the last labourer also gave full day’s wage. This shows a extraordinary character and real nature of the landowner.
He always kept in mind the wellbeing of the labourers.
He is a labourer friendly landowner
9) God is the Master of the Vineyard
Our God is the master of the vineyard.
We are all labourers. We are supposed to work
All were paid. Nothing was deducted from their wage.
So God gives to those who work hard in life.
What about me?
What type of labourer I am?
Generous labourer?
Grumbling and never satisfied labourer?
Lazy labourer?
God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.
Fr Maxim D’Souza
Jeppu Seminary
Mangalore
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