Each Has Been Chosen

Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Ezekiel 28:1-10

The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man,
say to the prince of Tyre: 
Thus says the Lord GOD:

Because you are haughty of heart,
you say, “A god am I!
I occupy a godly throne
in the heart of the sea!”—
And yet you are a man, and not a god,
however you may think yourself like a god.
Oh yes, you are wiser than Daniel,
there is no secret that is beyond you.
By your wisdom and your intelligence
you have made riches for yourself;
You have put gold and silver
into your treasuries.
By your great wisdom applied to your trading
you have heaped up your riches;
your heart has grown haughty from your riches–
therefore thus says the Lord GOD:
Because you have thought yourself
to have the mind of a god,
Therefore I will bring against you
foreigners, the most barbarous of nations.
They shall draw their swords
against your beauteous wisdom,
they shall run them through your splendid apparel.
They shall thrust you down to the pit, there to die
a bloodied corpse, in the heart of the sea.
Will you then say, “I am a god!”
when you face your murderers?
No, you are man, not a god,
handed over to those who will slay you.
You shall die the death of the uncircumcised
at the hands of foreigners,
for I have spoken, says the Lord GOD.

Responsorial Psalm Deuteronomy 32:26-27ab, 27cd-28, 30, 35cd-36ab

R. (39c)  It is I who deal death and give life.
“I would have said, ‘I will make an end of them
and blot out their name from men’s memories,’
Had I not feared the insolence of their enemies,
feared that these foes would mistakenly boast.”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“‘Our own hand won the victory;
the LORD had nothing to do with it.’”
For they are a people devoid of reason,
having no understanding.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
“How could one man rout a thousand,
or two men put ten thousand to flight,
Unless it was because their Rock sold them
and the LORD delivered them up?”
R. It is I who deal death and give life.
Close at hand is the day of their disaster,
and their doom is rushing upon them!
Surely, the LORD shall do justice for his people;
on his servants he shall have pity.
R. It is I who deal death and give life.

 

 

Alleluia 2 Corinthians 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
So that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

- - -

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Each Has Been Chosen

August 19, 2026 // Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time // Optional Memorial of Saint John Eudes, priest

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

Reflect on the Word // 

I opened up my mailbox and excitedly pulled out the envelope addressed to me. My joy deflated a little as I realized it was a wedding invitation from my friend who was getting married to the guy I secretly had a crush on. I was happy for her and knew they made a great couple, but I was sad for me. I couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong with me. Why was I left on the sidelines and not a chosen one? Eventually, I found the man who would choose me, and I thanked God for His abundant blessings. 

In today’s Gospel passage, we read about the laborers who worked in the vineyard for different lengths of time. In the past, I automatically sympathized with the day laborer and his perceived injustice for receiving the same wages as those who worked very little in comparison. But today, my heart related to the evening laborers who experienced Jesus’ words, “The last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16). 

I pictured the unemployed laborers loitering in the marketplace and others standing around waiting to be hired, hope draining as the daylight diminished. Were they worried because they really needed the pay? Did they question why they weren’t chosen as a laborer? When they finally heard the call to go work in the vineyard, they must have been relieved that they’d at least have a little pay to bring home. Imagine their surprise upon receiving a full day's wages. Gratitude must have filled their hearts at the landowner’s generosity.

How often have we felt like others have been chosen, while we’re left on the sidelines? When in reality, we each have our own unique mission that only we can do. Or how often has God been generous with us, not giving us what we deserve, but abundantly blessing us with His love and mercy? Let’s turn our hearts to Him in gratitude for the blessings we take for granted and, without comparing ourselves to others, go where He leads us with humility and courage. 

Relate to the Lord // Ponder your chosenness. How have you been especially loved, chosen, and blessed by God?