Called from the Marketplace to the Vineyard

I have heard the Gospel about “Laborers in the Vineyard” many times.  This is the first opportunity I have had to reflect deeply on this reading. When I heard the Gospel in the past, I listened to it and then heard the words of the accompanying homily.   Both the Gospel and the homily verbally washed over me in a literal sense, but nothing took root and became part of my thoughts or actions.  I now have the opportunity to reflect and make the words of the Gospel part of my daily life.

We are all born to be members of the Marketplace of Life.  Jesus, the Master, will call each of us from the Marketplace to go to the Vineyard and labor for Him.  We are each promised the same wage for our time in the Vineyard: eternal life.  Our time laboring in the Vineyard varies, depending on when we answer the call.  Jesus will call us multiple times, with the hope we will respond in the affirmative. But for some, the time spent in the Marketplace is easier than answering the call to the Vineyard.  The Marketplace has many attractions and temptations that distract us from answering the call.  And yet, the compassion and love that Jesus has for each of us will prompt the call to come again and again in our lifetime.  Jesus never tires of actively calling each of his children, and He will always call us by name.

You are surrounded by many who have answered the call and are now laboring in the Vineyard.  Jesus is also asking each of us to go back into the Marketplace and find new laborers for the Vineyard. This is our ultimate call, to bring more laborers to the Vineyard, so all can receive the same reward of heaven for their time laboring for Our Lord Jesus Christ.

--Bill Reed

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.