Monday, August 01, 2011
The Workers in the Vineyard
Dear Friends,
Jesus said to them, “… 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? 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.” (Passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew 19:28a; 20:1-16)
Today I will go to the Manor in Alberton to celebrate Holy Mass with the residents. The Mass will start at 1:30 p.m. I will also visit in their room those who are bedridden.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“It is because I love you that I have called you all to follow Me, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters spread throughout the world. I call you all to work in My vineyard, which is the Kingdom of God. As long as you are living in the world you can answer My call and I will give you the graces you need to follow Me. Some enter when they are just children, others come in when they are adolescents, still others when they are adults and finally there are some who come in just at the end of their lives. If you persevere and work until the end you will receive your reward. There is a great reward indeed if you work until the end and you remain in union with Me. The reward, which I give you, is eternal life in heaven forever. You will be with Me forever in great happiness with your heavenly Father, with the Holy Spirit and with all the angels and saints. My heavenly Mother will be filled with joy to welcome you into paradise.
I call you to use the time you have on earth wisely. You need to work for a living but you need to prepare yourself daily for your new life, which will be completed in heaven. This means you will follow what I have taught you and be a person of prayer and great love. You will forgive all those who hurt you in any way. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. It is written in a previous message that the laity should not pray for those possessed. In fact what is meant is that they should not place their hands on those people to attempt to drive away the evil spirits. Only priests should lay hands on those people.