Is. 55:6-9; Phil. 1:20-24, 27; Mt. 20:1-16
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today’s readings speak of the righteousness and mercy of God. We are reminded that we must seek righteousness in order to receive the mercy of God. During the First Reading from the Book of Isaiah we heard of the Divine calling. Let the wicked forsake their way. Let the unrighteous forsake their thoughts. Return to the Lord! Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. [Is. 55:6]
In today’s Gospel Jesus paints a vivid picture of the kingdom of heaven, using the story of a landowner who went out to hire laborers for his vineyard. This parable is a powerful reminder of God's boundless mercy and the importance of cultivating a generous heart. The thoughts of God are not the thoughts of man. The ways of God are not the ways of man. As the heavens are higher than the earth, the ways of God are higher than the ways of man and the thoughts of God are higher than the thoughts of man.