GOSPEL:Matthew 20:1-16

Reading:

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Commentary: 

The complain of the hired servants who worked all day (against those who were paid the same for working only one hour), is the sinful charge of men who reason God is not fair to give heaven to those who convert at the very end of their life, while many believers suffer throughout their whole life because they are Christians. If heaven is truly a gift of God through Christ, who would dare complain if one is converted in the last hour? Rather faith rejoices!...as Jesus said, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." We then who do believe should be willing to work and labor with all difficulties in God's vineyard all our life, suffering all things at every hour, merely for the glory of God who gave all things for our salvation. Those who count the hours and murmur within are not carrying their cross and such are in need of repentance. If only we look to Christ who suffered every hour of every day, carrying the burden of our sins, especially in those final hours on the cross (six), we will gladly suffer all burdens in the heat of the day, namely those days and hours of persecution. "Follow Me."