SUNDAY GOSPEL

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 20: 1-16a

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.

First Reading: Book of Isaiah 55: 6-9

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.

Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; Let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Second Reading: Letter to the Philippians 1: 20c-24 and 27a

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?”

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.