Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By
Jesus told his disciples of a landowner who paid vineyard laborers the same wage for the day whether they started at dawn or hours later. When those who started early complained, the landowner said: “…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?” (Matthew 20:13-15)
“Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, ‘Come; you reign over us!’ But the buckthorn replied to the trees, ‘If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith, come and take refuge in my shadow…’” (Judges 9:14-15)
Piety
Lord, let me remember Your generosity extends to all who take refuge in your shadow, even to those I consider unworthy of Your love. Help me to put your charitable example to work in my life.
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/082207.shtml
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0494.asp
God can be so annoying sometimes.
Cursillistas aren’t the sort who show up for a day’s work at 5 p.m. No, we’re the kind who arrive at 9 or maybe even earlier (especially when Mananita is involved). We sing, pray, study, and carry out our ministries with gusto and passion.
It’s hard to understand that when the day is done, our pay will be the same as someone who accepts Christ in the closing hours of his or her life. How can that be? We work so hard! It’s not fair.
The challenge, as Thomas Richstatter, OFM, writes in a Catholic Update essay http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0494.asp) is thinking of God as an accountant, tallying up our credits and debits, rather than as a parent:
“Parents love their children independently of the child' s labor or earnings. Parents love a newborn infant who has not accomplished anything. As the child grows, parents love children who make C's and D's in school, and parents love children who make A's and B's. I have seen parents at the Special Olympics as proud of their children accomplishing a task as parents cheering for their star sons and daughters at the high school basketball championship games.”
God desires that we all get His beautiful day’s pay. If we come to the vineyard early, we receive the joy of meaningful work and grace throughout our lives. If we squander or reject His love early and do not dedicate our work to Him, our burden is so much heavier and unwieldy. But there is always the promise of the same reward if we are there at the end of the day. Let’s concern ourselves about keeping our own end of the bargain, and stop measuring the time others arrive.
Action
Sing “De Colores” out loud today (if you don’t have the words handy or committed to memory, you’ll find them at www.arlingtoncursillo.org/_zips/De Colores.htm). Give special emphasis to this verse:
Let the cowards deride us and taunt us but it is the truth
That they really desire the pleasure of being in grace in colors with us
Remember that that is the gift we receive for our labors, the gift of being in grace on earth. When you encounter a “coward” today, do more than accept the derision and taunts. Be a friend to that person. Buy him a coffee or soda. Laugh at her inane but harmless joke. Show the pleasure of being in grace in colors with us.
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