9.21.2014

Today's Bible story

September 21, 2014

We hope that today is a good day.

◇Daily Readings September 21, 2014
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092114.cfm

◇September 21, 2014 Daily Mass Reading
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/14_09_21.mp3

The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/index.cfm

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◇The World English Bible
http://ebible.org/web/

Gospel Matthew 20:1-16

1 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.

2 When he had agreed with the labourers for a denarius* a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 He went out about the third hour,† and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.

4 He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went their way.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour,‡ and did likewise.

6 About the eleventh hour§ he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?'

7 "They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.'
"He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.'

8 When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'

9 "When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.

10 When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.

11 When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,

12 saying, 'These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!'

13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me for a denarius?

14 Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.

15 Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?'

16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen."


*20:2: A denarius is a silver Roman coin worth 1/25th of a Roman aureus. This was a common wage for a day of farm labour.

†20:3: Time was measured from sunrise to sunset, so the third hour would be about 9:00 AM.

‡20:5: noon and 3:00 P. M.

§20:6: 5:00 PM

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Isaiah 55:6-9

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found.
Call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts.
Let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him;
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways," says the LORD.

9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a

20c now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't know what I will choose.

23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

26 that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

27a Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ,

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◇King James Version Bible Online
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/book.php?book=Matthew&chapter=20&verse=

◇Zondervan King James Audio Bible
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/kjv/Matt.20

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◇Douay-Rheims Bible
http://www.drbo.org/

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