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Gospel Reading for August 19, 2026 – Matthew 20: 1-16
ONLY MEASUREMENT OF GREATNESS
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ 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.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 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.’ 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? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
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If we always look at life as unfair because others have what we do not have, we will waste our time on earth being unhappy, constantly counting what we consider our “misfortunes.”
Our lives are unique, and there are things we cannot change—our family, our gifts and talents, our economic background, and many other circumstances. To truly live life means accepting all these realities and making something good out of them as our contribution to humanity. This is how our personal mission comes about.
The extent of our contributions may vary, and not all of them may be considered great in the eyes of men. But in the eyes of God, the ONLY MEASUREMENT OF GREATNESS is whether things are done out of love.
Lord Jesus, may we always do our best with what God has given us, so that we may live a life worthy of eternal life. Amen.
