Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
Lectionary: 421
Lectionary: 421
All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together
and proceeded to make Abimelech king
by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem.
When this was reported to him,
Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim and, standing there,
cried out to them in a loud voice:
"Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you!
Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves.
So they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
But the olive tree answered them, 'Must I give up my rich oil,
whereby men and gods are honored,
and go to wave over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come; you reign over us!'
But the fig tree answered them,
'Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit,
and go to wave over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come you, and reign over us.'
But the vine answered them,
'Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men,
and go to wave over the trees?'
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.
Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'"
and proceeded to make Abimelech king
by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem.
When this was reported to him,
Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim and, standing there,
cried out to them in a loud voice:
"Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you!
Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves.
So they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
But the olive tree answered them, 'Must I give up my rich oil,
whereby men and gods are honored,
and go to wave over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come; you reign over us!'
But the fig tree answered them,
'Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit,
and go to wave over the trees?'
Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come you, and reign over us.'
But the vine answered them,
'Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men,
and go to wave over the trees?'
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.
Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'"
Responsorial
PsalmPS 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R.(2a) Lord,
in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart's desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
You made him a blessing forever,
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart's desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
You made him a blessing forever,
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
AlleluiaHEB 4:12
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 20:1-16
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,
he 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,
he 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.'
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
'Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.'
When those who had started about five o'clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
'These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day's burden and the heat.'
He said to one of them in reply,
'My friend, I am not cheating you.
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?'
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
"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,
he 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,
he 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.'
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
'Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.'
When those who had started about five o'clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
'These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day's burden and the heat.'
He said to one of them in reply,
'My friend, I am not cheating you.
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?'
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Pius X, please go here.
Meditation: "Do you begrudge my
generosity?"
What
can work and wages, welfare and the unemployed tell us about the kingdom of
God? In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard we see the extraordinary
generosity and compassion of God (Matthew 20:1-16). There is great tragedy in
unemployment, the loss of work, and the inability to earn enough to live and
support oneself or one's family. In Jesus' times laborers had to wait each day
in the marketplace until someone hired them for a day's job. No work that day
usually meant no food on the family table. The laborers who worked all day and
received their payment complain that the master pays the late afternoon
laborers the same wage. The master, undoubtedly, hired them in the late
afternoon so they wouldn't go home payless and hungry.
God
is generous and gives us work for his kingdom
God is generous in opening the doors of his kingdom to all who will enter, both those who have labored a life-time for him and those who come at the last hour. While the reward is the same, the motive for one's labor can make all the difference. Some work only for reward. They will only put in as much effort as they think they will get back. Others labor out of love and joy for the opportunity to work and to serve others. The Lord Jesus calls each one of us to serve God and his kingdom with joy and zeal and to serve our neighbor with a generous spirit as well.
God is generous in opening the doors of his kingdom to all who will enter, both those who have labored a life-time for him and those who come at the last hour. While the reward is the same, the motive for one's labor can make all the difference. Some work only for reward. They will only put in as much effort as they think they will get back. Others labor out of love and joy for the opportunity to work and to serve others. The Lord Jesus calls each one of us to serve God and his kingdom with joy and zeal and to serve our neighbor with a generous spirit as well.
Empowered
to serve with a joyful and generous spirit
The Lord Jesus wants to fill each one of us with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit so we can bear great fruit for God's kingdom (the fruit of peace, joy, righteousness, and love) and also bring the fruit of his kingdom to our neighbor as well. We labor for the Lord to bring him praise, honor, and glory. And we labor for our neighbor for their welfare with the same spirit of loving-kindness and compassion which the Lord has shown to us.
The Lord Jesus wants to fill each one of us with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit so we can bear great fruit for God's kingdom (the fruit of peace, joy, righteousness, and love) and also bring the fruit of his kingdom to our neighbor as well. We labor for the Lord to bring him praise, honor, and glory. And we labor for our neighbor for their welfare with the same spirit of loving-kindness and compassion which the Lord has shown to us.
Paul
the Apostle reminds us, "Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the
Lord and not others, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the
inheritance as your reward - you are serving the Lord Christ" (Colossians
3:23-24). Do you perform your daily tasks and responsibilities with
cheerfulness and diligence for the Lord's sake? And do you give generously to
others, especially to those in need of your care and support?
"Lord
Jesus,fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may serve you joyfully and serve my
neighbor willingly with a generous heart, not looking for how much I can get,
but rather looking for how much I can give."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Christ our householder, author
unknown, from the 5th century A.D.
"The
householder [in Matthew's parable - chapter 20] is Christ, to whom the heavens
and the earth are like a single house; the family is as it were the multitude
of creatures both angelic and earthly. It is as if he built a three-storied
house: hell, heaven and earth, so that those struggling may live upon the
earth, those conquered below the earth, those conquering in heaven. We too, set
in the middle, should strive not to descend to those who are in hell but ascend
to those who are in heaven. And in case perhaps you do not know which one you
ought to shun or which one you ought to aspire to, he has given you as it were
a little taste of both while you live between light and darkness: night as a
taste of hell, daylight as a taste of heaven." (excerpt from an
incomplete Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, HOMILY 34)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, MATTHEW 20:1-16
(Judges 9:6-15; Psalm 21)
(Judges 9:6-15; Psalm 21)
KEY VERSE: "Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last" (v. 16).
TO KNOW: Jesus told his disciples a parable about divine justice for all who labored in God's service. God was compared to a landowner who called forth workers for his vineyard. The first to respond were promised the expected day's wages. Those who came later were only promised what was 'just.' When it was time to pay the workers, the owner began with the last and paid them a full day's wages. When those who worked all day were paid the same as those who worked only a few hours, they complained that they were being treated unfairly. The vineyard owner told them that he had done them no injustice by paying them equally. Whether a person responds first or last to God's call, the reward is identical. It is freely given and not merited by the laborer in God's service.
TO LOVE: Do I support justice in the marketplace?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to follow your example of generosity toward all.
Memorial of Saint Pius X, pope
Giuseppe Melchore Sarto was born in 1835, in Riese near Venice. He entered the seminary in Padua, and was ordained at the age of 23. Due to his pastoral and administrative abilities, his bishop named him spiritual director of the diocesan major seminary and chancellor of the archdiocese. After nine years as bishop he was transferred to Venice as the city's patriarch and cardinal. After the death of Leo XIII, Cardinal Sarto was elected pope, taking the name Pius X. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament prompted an appeal to all Catholics to a frequent and fervent reception of Holy Communion. He also exhorted catechists to prepare the young for reception of the Eucharist. It was his love for the liturgy which caused him to be remembered as the pope who began modern liturgical reform. Pius was also instrumental in urging sound Biblical scholarship, which led him to found the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome which, to this day, is an important source of scholarship. He was canonized Saint Pius X on May 31, 1954, the first pope in modern times to be canonized.
Wednesday 21 August 2019
St Pius X
Judges 9:6-15. Psalm 20(21):2-7. Matthew 20:1-16.
Lord, your strength gives joy to the king – Psalm 20(21):2-7.
‘Are you envious because I am generous?’
In today’s gospel, we find out that God’s love and grace is
given freely to the undeserving. The parable of the workers in the vineyard
challenges our sense of justice and fairness. How can the all-day workers be
paid the same as those who show up at the last minute?
Indeed, if we identify with the all-day workers, our reaction is
likely to be outrage. But if we are honest, we too are likely to be the last
minute workers at certain times in our lives. We should rejoice that God’s love
is given to all, not earned by the few.
How do we share this gift of grace? The bramble in the first
reading receives honours and privileges and in exchange invites others to come
and rest in its shade. Who might need to shelter in my shade? Will I extend a
welcome to others?
Saint Pius X
Saint of the Day for August 21
(June 2, 1835 – August 20, 1914)
 |
| Portrait of Pope Saint Pius X | Library of Congress | Tryphosa Bates-Batcheller |
Saint Pius X’s Story
Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of
the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children.
The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto
became Pius X at age 68. He was one of the 20th century’s greatest popes.
Ever mindful of his humble origin, Pope Pius stated, “I was born
poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of
the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old
friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these
practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was
seized in Gethsemani.”
Interested in politics, Pope Pius encouraged Italian Catholics
to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the
supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a
practice that reduced the freedom of the 1903 conclave which had elected him.
In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See
and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of
Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand.
While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his
predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of indigenous peoples on
the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an
earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense.
On the 11th anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was
plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the
last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save
my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war
began, and was canonized in 1954.
Reflection
His humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal
God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Pius X gained his strength, his
gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of
Jesus. In contrast, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes
us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are
in a superior position, on the other hand, we often ignore simpler people. Yet
we, too, have to help “restore all things in Christ,” especially the wounded
people of God.
Lectio Divina: Matthew 20:1-16
Lectio Divina
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
may we love You in all things and above all things
and reach the joy You have prepared for us
beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
may we love You in all things and above all things
and reach the joy You have prepared for us
beyond all our imagining.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 20:1-16
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, he 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, he 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.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his
foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last
and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came,
each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that
they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on
receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones
worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's
burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not
cheating you. 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?'
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents a parable which is found only in
Matthew’s Gospel. It is not in the other Gospels. Like in all parables, Jesus
tells a story about daily elements, daily things of the life of the people. He
presents a picture of the social situation of His time, in which the listeners
recognize themselves. At the same time, in the story of this parable, there are
things which never take place in the reality of the life of the
people, because speaking about the master, Jesus thinks about God, about
His Father. This is why in the story of the parable the master does things
which are surprising which never take place in the daily life of the listeners.
In this strange approach of the master, it is necessary to find the key to
understanding the message of the parable.
• Matthew 20:1-7: The five times that the landowner goes out to look for laborers. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day and sent them to his vineyard”. This is how the story begins and it speaks for itself and does not need too many comments. In what follows, the landowner goes out four times to call other workers to go and work in his vineyard. Jesus refers to the terrible lack of work at that time. Now some details of the story: (a) the landowner himself goes out personally five times to contract workers. (b) When he contracts the workers, he fixes the salary only for the first group: one denarius a day. To those of nine o’clock in the morning he says: I will give you what is just, fair. With the others, he does not fix anything. He contracted them only to work in the vineyard. (c) At the end of the day, when it was the time to pay the workers, the landowners orders the administrator to carry out this service.
• Matthew 20:8-10: The strange way of fixing the accounts at the end of the day. When it was evening, the landowner of the vineyard told his administrator: Call the workers and pay them, beginning from the last ones to the first ones. Here, at the time of drawing the accounts, something strange takes place which does not happen in normal life. It seems that things are inverted. The administrator begins to pay those who were contracted just an hour before. The salary is the same for all: one denarius, as it was agreed with the first ones who were contracted at the beginning of the day. When the first came, they expected to get more but they too received one denarius each. Why does the landowner act like that? Would you do the same? It is precisely in this surprising gesture of the landowner that the key to understanding this parable is hidden.
• Matthew 20:11-12: The normal reaction of the workers before the strange ways of the landowner. The last ones also receive their salary as those who were contracted first. The story says that these began to grumble against the landowner and said, “The men who came last have done only one hour and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat”. This is the normal reaction of a good sense. I think that all of us would have had the same reaction and would have said the same thing to the landowner. Would we not?
• Matthew 20:13-16: The surprising explanation of the landowner which gives the key to the parable. The response of the landowner is the following: “My friend, I am not being unjust to you. Did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you; have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why should you be envious because I am generous?” These words give the key which explains the attitude of the landowner and indicates the message which Jesus wants to communicate to us: (a) The landowner was not unjust, because he acts according to what he had agreed with the first group of workers: one denarius a day. (b) It is the sovereign decision of the landowner to give to the last ones the same amount that he had agreed upon with those of the first hour. These do not have the right to complain and claim anything. (c) Acting with justice, the landowner has the right to do the good that he wants with the things that belong to him. The worker, on his part, has this same right. (d) The last question touches on the central point: Why should you be envious because I am generous? God is different and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa 55: 8-9).
• The background of the parable is the circumstance of the time, for Jesus as well as for Matthew. The workers of the first hour are the Jewish people, called by God to work in his vineyard. They bear the weight of the day, from Abraham to Moses, for over one thousand years. Now at the eleventh hour, Jesus calls the gentiles to work in his vineyard and they succeed in having the preference in the heart of God. “Thus the first ones will be last and the last will be first”.
• Matthew 20:1-7: The five times that the landowner goes out to look for laborers. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day and sent them to his vineyard”. This is how the story begins and it speaks for itself and does not need too many comments. In what follows, the landowner goes out four times to call other workers to go and work in his vineyard. Jesus refers to the terrible lack of work at that time. Now some details of the story: (a) the landowner himself goes out personally five times to contract workers. (b) When he contracts the workers, he fixes the salary only for the first group: one denarius a day. To those of nine o’clock in the morning he says: I will give you what is just, fair. With the others, he does not fix anything. He contracted them only to work in the vineyard. (c) At the end of the day, when it was the time to pay the workers, the landowners orders the administrator to carry out this service.
• Matthew 20:8-10: The strange way of fixing the accounts at the end of the day. When it was evening, the landowner of the vineyard told his administrator: Call the workers and pay them, beginning from the last ones to the first ones. Here, at the time of drawing the accounts, something strange takes place which does not happen in normal life. It seems that things are inverted. The administrator begins to pay those who were contracted just an hour before. The salary is the same for all: one denarius, as it was agreed with the first ones who were contracted at the beginning of the day. When the first came, they expected to get more but they too received one denarius each. Why does the landowner act like that? Would you do the same? It is precisely in this surprising gesture of the landowner that the key to understanding this parable is hidden.
• Matthew 20:11-12: The normal reaction of the workers before the strange ways of the landowner. The last ones also receive their salary as those who were contracted first. The story says that these began to grumble against the landowner and said, “The men who came last have done only one hour and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat”. This is the normal reaction of a good sense. I think that all of us would have had the same reaction and would have said the same thing to the landowner. Would we not?
• Matthew 20:13-16: The surprising explanation of the landowner which gives the key to the parable. The response of the landowner is the following: “My friend, I am not being unjust to you. Did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you; have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why should you be envious because I am generous?” These words give the key which explains the attitude of the landowner and indicates the message which Jesus wants to communicate to us: (a) The landowner was not unjust, because he acts according to what he had agreed with the first group of workers: one denarius a day. (b) It is the sovereign decision of the landowner to give to the last ones the same amount that he had agreed upon with those of the first hour. These do not have the right to complain and claim anything. (c) Acting with justice, the landowner has the right to do the good that he wants with the things that belong to him. The worker, on his part, has this same right. (d) The last question touches on the central point: Why should you be envious because I am generous? God is different and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa 55: 8-9).
• The background of the parable is the circumstance of the time, for Jesus as well as for Matthew. The workers of the first hour are the Jewish people, called by God to work in his vineyard. They bear the weight of the day, from Abraham to Moses, for over one thousand years. Now at the eleventh hour, Jesus calls the gentiles to work in his vineyard and they succeed in having the preference in the heart of God. “Thus the first ones will be last and the last will be first”.
4) Personal questions
• Those of the eleventh hour arrive. They have advantages and
receive priority in regard to entrance into the Kingdom of God. When you wait
in line for two hours, and a person arrives, and without saying anything she
places herself before you. Would you accept this? Can these two situations be
compared? (hint: she places herself, rather than someone higher choosing to
place her - does this change things?)
• God’s action surpasses our calculations and our human way of acting. He surprises us and sometimes it is uncomfortable. Has this happened to you in your life? What lessons have you drawn from this?
• This parable uses "work" and "workers" to convey its message. Why? Is there also the message that to receive "payment" also requires work? To be a Christian demands work - it is not a passive existence, but rather an active participation in the work of God.
• God’s action surpasses our calculations and our human way of acting. He surprises us and sometimes it is uncomfortable. Has this happened to you in your life? What lessons have you drawn from this?
• This parable uses "work" and "workers" to convey its message. Why? Is there also the message that to receive "payment" also requires work? To be a Christian demands work - it is not a passive existence, but rather an active participation in the work of God.
5) Concluding Prayer
Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life.
I make my home in the house of Yahweh
for all time to come. (Ps 23:6)
I make my home in the house of Yahweh
for all time to come. (Ps 23:6)
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