The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-07

Writing On the Gospel for Septua-
gesima Sunday Father Chaignon, 5.
j., draws wealth of instruction from
the parable of the laborers in the
Vineyard
God is the householder, he says,
who goes out early in the morning to
seek for laborers amid the cares, the
affairs, and pleasures of the world.
Wherever we may happen to be, he
urges us to labor for our sanctifica-
ton by employing in His service all
the faculties which we receive from
His goodness. If I apply my intelli-
gence to know God, my memory to re-
member His blessings, my heart to
love Him; if l am faithful to discover
and fight against my defects, to re-
gret my falls, cultivate the vineyard
of my soul, and make it fruitful in
works of holiness. This vineyard is
the Lords; this vineyard He planted,
and He watches over it. Accidental
ly, His glory is the rent He requires
from it; His essential glory does not
depend on us, and He in reality
hires us to do a work of which all the
profit is ours The price of our days
work will be the rich reward of heaV-
emily happiness; having agreed with
the laborers for a penny day" This
days work is life; we owe the whole
day to Him whom we are bound to
serve always. What is the days labor
compared with an eternity of rest?
The Master sends the laborers at diff
ferent hours to signify the different
times in life at which men give them
selves to God by yielding to the action
of grace
when evening was come" Even
ing is the end of our life. All, how
rapidly it comes on! One hour more,
perhaps, and all the time to work is
at an end; nothing more to be done
save to receive it's reward.
What shall be the measure of this
recompense, which shall be great, but
yet proportional to merit? 1t shall
not be according to the duration Of
the work, for the laborers of the
eleventh hour shall receive equa
salary with those who shall have Ia
bored the whole day. This measure
will be the grace of God, and co-opera
ton Herewith: deserve more, by do
ing works of less Importance, if per
form them with greater love.
Hence the conclusion Of the parable
$50 shall the last be first, and the
first last" We have here a powerful
motive to stimulate those who are
to make up for lost time; an instant
of fervor can compensate for inVeter
ate lukewarmness: This teaches Us
ever to remain humble, and not to de
spise any person.; this penitent is per
haps more fervent than l am; thu
great sinner may be converted ant
become a great saint, as l may per
haps go astray and become a grea
reprobate, "for many are called, ant
few are chosen" Many are called t.
a state of perfection, few are they wh'
respond to this call; many are callet
to lead a life of penitence, few ar
they who follow it, at least persever
ingly; many are called to the praC
tice of meditation and contemplation
but few are they who care to ente
and advance in these holy ways; man
are called to go to heaven, but few
reach that destination, because the
either neglect or refuse to employ tn
means which would lead them thithe1
o my God, discover within m
resolutions, holy desires, inspiration
of Thy grace; but when are thes
works really good which shall secur
my salvation. Be thou blessed for tn
mercy wherewith Thou callest m
again when the day is about ending
Henceforth I will not lose a moment