Septuagesima January 28, 2018

Matthew 20:1-16 
WORKING IN THE VINEYARD

To meditate on the gospel that is preached to you is, as St. Peter says, to consider “things which angels long to look into” (1 Peter 1:12).  Think about that!  Thinking about God’s word is a very rewarding thing to do – and what a privilege! – not least of which because God blesses the one who sets his mind on things above (Colossians 3:2), as St. Paul tells us to do. 

But how high above do we set our minds.  St. Paul also warns us not to think of lofty things but to associate with the humble: “Do not be wise in your own opinion,” he says (Romans 12:16).  Well, we set our minds on things above by keeping our minds focused on what is revealed here below.  We study Holy Scripture.  We do so as lowly beggars.  We do not let our minds try and delve into the mind of God by any other means than through his self-revealing word.  And where our minds can delve no further, we stop, lest the old adage prove true: “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”  

Septuagesima

Matthew 20:1-16 - Septuagesima - February 16, 2014
The First Shall Be Last

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:8-10

The fact that we are saved by grace through faith is not of ourselves.  It is not our work; it is God’s.  Our salvation – from God speaking his promise, to the faith that the Holy Spirit creates in our hearts through this promise – is entirely the gift of God.  He is gracious.  The good works that we accomplish as Christians are also gifts of God.  We are his workmanship.  The faith that God creates to trust in his mercy is the same faith that springs forth into action.  The faith that does not produce fruit is a false faith – one that God has not created.  The faith that has no desire to please God is the faith that does not trust God.