One Minute Reflection – 21 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Septuagesima – 1 Corinthians 9,24-27.10; 1-5 – Matthew 20,1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go you also into My Vineyard.” – Matthew 20:7
REFLECTION – “My brethren, you may perhaps ask why all these laboUrers were not sent into the Lord’s Vineyard at the same time? I reply that God’s intention was to call them all at once. But they had not wanted to come, as soon as they were called, at the first hour and this was the cause of their refusal. That was why God Himself went to call each one individually… at the moment when He thought they might turn back and respond to His invitation.
This is what the Apostle Paul clearly notes with regard to himself: “When it pleased God, He set me apart in my mother’s womb,” (cf Gal 1:15). When was it that it pleased God, if not when He saw that Paul would surrender to His call? To be sure, God would have liked to have called him at the beginning of his life but because Paul would not have responded to His Voice, God opted not to call him until he saw that he would respond. In the same way, God did not call the good thief until the last moment, even though He could have done so earlier, if He had foreseen that the man would have surrendered to His call.
And so, if the labourers of the Parable say that no-one hired them, we must remember God’s patience … He Himself, demonstrates , well enough that, for His part, He had done all He could to make it possible, for all to come to Him,from the very first hour of the day. Thus, Jesus’ Parable makes us see that people give themselves to God, at very different times. And God desires, before all else, to prevent those who were called first, from despising the last.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Sermon 64).
PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body, defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 