Last will be First – Reflection on Matthew 20:1-16
It took me decades to understand that I needed to be joyful and not envious when I encountered God’s grace at work in others. So too, was a very specific moment in my late forties when I accepted Jesus’s equal and unconditional love “halfway through my day (life).” I am thrilled and overjoyed when I observe someone recognizes the last will be first in Christ’s definition and watch them move in that direction. I have also come to believe that everyone deserves human dignity, such as being able to work for fair wages, and to be seen not through my eyes but in God’s eyes. A truth of Christian life is that if we have the ability to earn wages more than essential, then we also should help those less unfortunate because we all have an end of the day (life) to stand in front of the Lord.
The First Shall Be Last by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 20:1-16 – Scripture*
The Laborers in the Vineyard
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 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.’ 13 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? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 20:1-16 Reflection – Last will be First.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 20 Bible passage.
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This Lectio Reflection on Matthew 20:1-16 Reflection – Last will be First is in the Lectionary season of Ordinary Time.
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