Wednesday, February 5 (January 23), 2025
1Cor. 13:4-14:5; Mt. 20:1-16

In the parable of the laborers in a vineyard a man who had to work for only an hour received full daily wage from the householder [Mt. 20:1-16].  Hours of the day in this parable are an image of our whole life, and the eleventh hour means the years near the end.  So, the Lord shows us that anyone, even at the end of a lifelong of godlessness, can begin working for Him and ultimately please Him no less than the others.

Thus, old age is no excuse for idleness, no reason for despair.  Make a beginning now: the Lord is merciful, He will help you just like anyone else, through His grace in this life and through His justice in the life to come.  Only be sure to have firm resolve, diligence and sincere repentance for the past fruitless years.

Someone might say: the householder called those laborers in his vineyard, so let the Lord call me as well.  But isn’t He calling you?  Listen to His own words: “Come unto Me” [Mt. 11:28], and to the Apostle’s voice: “As though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” [2Cor. 5:20].

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