Hello and welcome dear friends! Thanks for deciding to reflect on the gospel for today with me. “The Laborers and the Vineyard” that is how many entitle this passage where Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven, with a landowner hiring daily laborers in the marketplace. He hired some early in the day and then others throughout the day. For the sake of time I will only read the last part of the story.

The Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the 20th chapter (9-16)

Glory to you, oh Lord!

“When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

The Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you, oh Christ!

Grace and peace are yours from God our Father, and from his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

This week I was left without words as I learned of allegations that in a detention center for immigrants, several Latina women have received medical treatment, that without their full consent have left them with no possibility to bear children.

The story of each immigrant is unique. Some have had the privilege to choose among other options to come to the United States and have been very fortunate to meet the requirements of this difficult and deficient immigration laws from the get go. But for many, it has been a nightmare as they are trying to escape violence, starvation or death. These last ones come with very little hope, only asking for refuge or asylum. Many are treated like slaves, with very poor working conditions and pitiful pay.

We may see some of them in the cities, near home improvement stores, or other places where people come and hire them for the day. Here is where I see a connection with the gospel today. Yes, there are all kind of interpretations and some can be contextualized. Some may say it’s about the Jews as the first ones and gentiles later, as people of God. Others may interpret it as immigrants and poor in desperation for some kind of work to bring food for today’s table. Or the unfairness of this distributive justice act of the landowner. And, taking into account the conclusion, some may think that the last ones are more important than the first. I don’t know. I respect those thoughts, but for me, I see the point here being that God is a loving generous God that gives abundantly his gifts to all, whether we act good or bad. Even when we are hurting, Christ presence can give us peace. Even when we see things going so bad for us, God’s love accompanies us all the way, until the end. Even when we are paying the consequences of our own doings, the Spirit of God can lead us unto a new path.     May we trust in that generosity of God, as unworthy as we might feel, God’s love is sufficient for all. Amen.

Let us pray,

Good and gracious God, thank you for your generous and extravagant love. As much as we do good in this world, we don’t deserve anything from you, yet you shower us with mercy and grace. We pray for those in detention centers who experience abuse and neglect. Helps us to use the proper mechanisms so our voices get to be heard on their behalf. We now commit ourselves into your care, through Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen.

Thank you for watching and for your likes and comments below. Until next time, stay with God’s blessing.

The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.