Saint Pius X, Pope
“Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:16)
So God owns a vineyard and decides to hire people at different points and pay the same wage. In our society that would spell lawsuit. But God works on a different economic model. Where most business transactions in the world are driven by a concern for profit, God’s concern is generosity. It doesn’t matter when you decided to join the workforce; what matters is that you joined up at all. God is so generous that he would rather have us come late than not show up at all.
We who have been working in the field of the Lord for a while can be quick to judge the latecomers. Perhaps a new parishioner volunteers to help teach CCD and gets more attention for his new ideas than you have received for all the years you have put in. Perhaps someone from a different faith tradition has converted and is filled with a zeal that makes you uncomfortable. Or perhaps a new, young pastor is assigned to your parish, and he upsets the status quo with his approach to liturgy or evangelization.
But today’s Gospel reading asks us to embrace God’s economy of salvation. He doesn’t look at formulas, past practices, or current expectations as much as he looks at the heart. He is more than happy to welcome anyone who joins him in the vineyard, be it day or evening or even the last hour. He is so happy, in fact, that he has no problem giving them the same pay that he promised to those who have been faithful, longtime workers in the vineyard.
The real issue isn’t one of payment—whether it’s money, recognition, or some other reward. The real issue is the vineyard. As Jesus said in another passage, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:36). All around us, people waiting to be shown the gospel in action. In our neighborhoods, at work, even in our families, people are ready to hear the good news about Jesus, but there’s no one available to help them. No wonder God is eager for people to join him in the fields! May we have the same attitude.
“Father, help me be just as generous as you are with all those who are joining you in the vineyard!”
Judges 9:6-15; Psalm 21:2-7
Daily Marriage Tip for August 21, 2013: In marriage we hold the keys to each other’s heart. Spouses should know each others’ internet passwords lest one be tempted to lock out the other from personal conversations.