Universal Utterings®
for August 21, 2024

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08-21-2024 Matthew 20 V-0116 Agree to Daily Wage

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The Book of Matthew 20 v-1 thru 16

1 “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ 5 So they went off. [And] he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 6 Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’8 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.’ 9 When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. 10 So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12 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.’ 13 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? 14 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15 [Or] am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Matthew 20:1-16 presents the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, a story told by Jesus to illustrate the nature of God's grace and the kingdom of heaven. In this parable, a landowner hires workers at different times throughout the day, promising them all the same wage. When the day ends, those who were hired last receive the same pay as those who worked all day. This leads to complaints from the early workers, who feel they deserve more for their longer hours. The landowner responds by emphasizing his right to be generous and challenges the notion of fairness based on human expectations. The parable culminates in the statement that "the last will be first, and the first will be last," highlighting the theme that God's grace is not bound by human standards of merit. Through this story, Jesus conveys that the kingdom of heaven operates on principles of divine generosity and mercy, rather than strict equity. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

08-21-2024 Matthew 20 V-0116

**Agreed to Daily Wage**

In a vineyard bright under the sun’s warm glow,

A landowner goes out, his heart will easily show.

At dawn’s early light, he calls workers to stand,

To labor in fields, as he offers a hand.

With promise of wages, they gladly comply,

But as the day passes, more workers pass by.

At noon and at three, he calls them once more,

Each time, they are welcomed, their hopes to restore.

As evening draws near, the day’s work is done,

He gathers the laborers, each and every one.

With pay in his hand, he starts with the last,

And to their surprise, the wages come fast.

The early ones grumble, "This isn’t quite fair,

We’ve toiled in the heat, while they had fresh air!"

But the landowner smiles, with a twinkle in eye,

“Is my grace not enough? Why do you sigh?”

“For I choose to be generous, my heart knows no bounds,

In this kingdom of heaven, love’s richness astounds.

The last shall be first, and the first shall be last,

In the dance of my mercy, all judgments are cast.”

So remember this lesson, as you journey along,

In the vineyard of life, where all souls belong.

For grace knows no limits, and love knows no end,

In the heart of the Father, all are welcome to mend. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

August 21, 2024 @ 05:31 AM EST

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