CTK – Work – Prayer Resources – W/C 22/09/2025

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Glory to you O Lord

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’

And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’

So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Glory to you, O Lord

The Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a man who went out early in the morning to hire some men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them the regular wage, a silver coin a day and sent them to work in his vineyard.

He went out again to the marketplace at nine o’clock and saw some men standing there doing nothing, so he told them, ‘You also go and work in the vineyard, and I will pay you a fair wage.’ So they went. Then at twelve o’clock and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.

It was nearly five o’clock when he went to the marketplace and saw some other men still standing there. ‘Why are you wasting the whole day here doing nothing?’ he asked them. ‘No one hired us,’ they answered. ‘Well, then, you also go and work in the vineyard,’ he told them.

When evening came, the owner told his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with those who were hired last and ending with those who were hired first.’ The men who had begun to work at five o’clock were paid a silver coin each. So when the men who were the first to be hired came to be paid, they thought they would get more; but they too were given a silver coin each.

They took their money and started grumbling against the employer. ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘while we put up with a whole day’s work in the hot sun—yet you paid them the same as you paid us!’

‘Listen, friend,’ the owner answered one of them, ‘I have not cheated you. After all, you agreed to do a day’s work for one silver coin. Now take your pay and go home. I want to give this man who was hired last as much as I have given you. Don’t I have the right to do as I wish with my own money? Or are you jealous because I am generous?’

And Jesus concluded, ‘So those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.’”

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Our unique gifts and talents help us do well in both our school work and any job we take on. Using what we are good at makes our work more meaningful, whether it’s completing assignments, helping classmates, or contributing in a paid job. When we put our abilities to use, we not only learn responsibility and discipline but also feel proud of what we achieve and show respect for the efforts of others.

In the comment section below… tell us what gifts and talents you have and how they help you to do your work.

The Fairtrade movement is about making sure farmers and workers in poorer countries are paid fairly, work in safe conditions, and can build a better future for their families. This links closely to Catholic Social Teaching (CST), especially the principles of dignity of work and the rights of workers, solidarity, and the option for the poor. By choosing Fairtrade products, we live out our faith by supporting justice and equality, rather than exploitation.

During Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from September 22nd until October 5th, we are reminded about these issues and that our everyday choices—like buying tea, coffee, or chocolate—can be an act of love and justice in line with Gospel values.

After you have watched the video, in the comment section below write something about this video that really stood out to you – maybe you’ll buy something with the Fairtrade logo on it this week?

Take some time to reflect and listen to the music as you think about the following questions:

• What gifts and talents do I see in other people that help them to do their work effectively?
• Who inspires me in the way that they work?
• What can I do differently this week that will help to protect the dignity of workers?

Pick one of the songs in the music tab to listen to as you reflect on these questions.

In the comment section below… answer one of these questions as a form.