HOME > Prayers > Meditations > 2011 September
Vocation Meditation -
September 18, 2011
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, the landowner 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, the landowner 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.'
No one who accepts the Lord can lead an idle life.
In today's Gospel, the landowner - who is the Lord - visits the marketplace several times throughout the day.
Each time he invites those standing idle to go into his vineyard to earn "what is just".
Each time he finds those without anything to do.
Many were there from the first call to work that morning. Some jumped at the chance to work in the vineyard. Others needed more time to accept.
In the end, though, everyone who accepted the landowner's invitation spent at least "one hour" at work.
Many of those standing idle had agreed to the work but put off the walk to the vineyard... because it's easier to accept the invite of the Lord than to actually do His work.
Yet, work we must for "not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord", will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. " (Matthew 7:21)
Vocation Challenge:
Have you accepted God's invitation to work for Him for His glory and for the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Lord,
You have called me to enter your vineyard to spend my time in your service. Give me the grace and strength to direct my life to accomplishing Your will. Amen
For the full Gospel reading for this Sunday, visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.