INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
The scandal of wage theft in Australian business rightly provokes outrage.
The failure of companies to fulfil their legal obligations is further worsened by the enormous disparity between workers’ wages and executive salaries.
Aware of this injustice, we share the indignation of the all-day workers paid no more than the latecomers in today’s Gospel story. But our anger would be as misplaced as the common title of the parable, ‘the labourers in the vineyard’. A better one would be ‘the generous landowner’.
Jesus’ purpose, surely, is to expose the inadequacy of our human calculations of reward in relation to God. The divine economy is altogether different. It’s one of grace, mercy and love.
That’s what Jesus would have us see.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For business owners, directors and managers, that they adhere to an ethic of justice for their employees, the community and the environment.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
Presider
Dear friends, Jesus opens our eyes to the boundless generosity of God. With glad and grateful hearts let us pray for all our needs.
Reader
- We pray for Pope Francis and all spiritual leaders, that they will be sure guides for us to the wonderful mystery of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We pray for a world-wide conversion of heart, that human greed and selfishness be replaced by a joyful spirit of thankfulness. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We pray for economic policy-makers, that their decision-making will be governed by the ecological health of the earth, our common home. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We pray for employers, that they ensure that all their employees work in safe conditions and are paid justly. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We renew our prayer for front-line health and community workers, that they stay safe and strong as they devote themselves to the care of others. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We pray again for those facing financial ruin or extreme hardship because of the pan-demic, that a national spirit of solidarity will ensure on-going support for them. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We pray for those suffering the pain of loneliness and isolation, that family and friends will find ways of assuring them they are cherished. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We pray for refugees and asylum seekers subject to punitive conditions in detention, that they be dealt with humanely and justly while their claims are considered. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- We pray for the recently deceased, . . . , and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will share in the glory of Christ for ever. (Pause for silent pray-er) Lord, hear us.
Presider
Holy God, you have revealed the mystery of your mercy in the Word-made-flesh. Help us to be put his teaching into practice. We ask this through Christ our Lord.