Isa 55:6-9; Ps 144(146):2-3. 8-9. 17-18 r.18; Phil 1:20-24, 27; Matt 20:1-16a
Earlier in this chapter Isaiah invited us to the joyful banquet the Lord has prepared for us – “the supper of the Lamb”. Today’s reading urges us to “seek the Lord while he may be found”: hidden and unimaginably different from us, yet he is near and wanting to give us his forgiveness.
The Psalm, a hymn of praise to God’s mercy, recalls when the Israelites worshipped the golden calf: the Lord is “slow to anger and abounding in mercy”.
For the next four weeks the second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, probably written about 57 AD from Ephesus. Paul writes to thank the Philippians for the money they had sent him while he was in prison, and to encourage them to support each other in their pagan surroundings. Paul is very clear about his future life with Christ immediately after death. Sharing in Christ’s suffering means also sharing in the joy of the union with Christ which such suffering brings. Paul is torn between wishing to be gone and so be with Christ, or staying alive suffering in the Lord’s work.
In Matthew’s gospel even those rejected by others are swept up into the Lord’s vineyard. Justice to those hired first is balanced by mercy to the latecomers.
Psalm Response: The Lord is close to all who call him.