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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Am I not free to do as I wish?

Am I not free to do as I wish?

Published Aug 22, 2023 04:01 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Can we allow God to be so good to everyone? The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard highlights that we do not earn God’s graciousness and generosity. It is a pure act of benevolence on God’s part. God’s love is unconditional; it depends on him, not on our good works. When one prospers, it is because the Lord granted it. To the Lord belongs all things — strength, talent, health, resources — and he disposes of them according to his will. We owe it to grace whatever we receive from the Lord. It is not only God’s disposition to do good for us when we do not deserve it; God’s grace is also a power from God that acts in our lives and makes good things happen in us and for us — which we also do not deserve.

Gospel • Matthew 20:1-16

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, he 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, he 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.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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