Says Those Who Work Only for Money Miss a Treasure

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Being able to work for the Lord is itself an inestimable reward, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope affirmed this today before praying the midday Angelus with crowds gathered at the summer papal residence south of Rome.

Referring to the parable from Matthew's Gospel read in today's Mass, the Holy Father noted how the denarius offered to the workers represents eternal life, a "gift that God reserves for everyone."

Indeed," he continued, "precisely those who are considered 'last,' if they will accept it, become 'first,' while the 'first' can run the risk of becoming 'last.' The first message of this parable is in the fact itself that the owner does not tolerate, so to speak, unemployment: He wants everyone to work in his vineyard. And in reality, being called itself is already the first recompense: Being able to work in the Lord's vineyard, putting yourself at his service, cooperating in his project, constitutes in itself an inestimable reward, which repays all toil."

This message, the Pontiff acknowledged, is "understood only by those who love the Lord and his Kingdom. Those who, instead, work solely for the pay will never recognize the value of this priceless treasure."

Benedict XVI noted that the author of the Gospel, Matthew, himself experienced the parable in firsthand.

The Pope explained that "before Jesus called him, Matthew was employed as a publican and for this reason was considered a public sinner by the Jews and was excluded from 'the Lord's vineyard.'"

"But everything changes when Jesus, walking by the customs house, looks at him and says 'Follow me,'" the Holy Father continued. "Matthew got up and followed him. From publican he immediately became a disciple of Christ. From being 'last' he finds himself as 'first,' thanks to the logic of God, which -- for our good fortune! -- is different from the world's logic. "

The Pontiff concluded by calling on the intercession of Our Lady.

"The Virgin Mary, who a week ago I had the joy of venerating at Lourdes, is the perfect vine in the Lord's vineyard," he said. "From her there grew the blessed fruit of divine love: Jesus, Our Savior. May she help us to respond always and with joy to the Lord's call, and to find our happiness in the possibility of toiling for the Kingdom of Heaven."

http://www.zenit.org/article-23675?l=english