Saints of God…
the Lord be with you!
In the month of September where we here in the U.S. celebrate Labor Day, it’s interesting to me to have the Parable of the Vine Growers (Matthew 20:1-16) proclaimed.
We all know the story; day laborers hired at the start of the day for a certain wage. During the day, others are hired and some hired near the end of the working day. In the end the landowner pays them all the same wage, and those hired first grumble and complain. In a stunning comeback the landowner replies, “Are you envious because I am generous?”
And that’s the rub. Some say they want God to be fair. But if you think about it, fairness involves giving what is deserved. If we take even a cursory look at our lives, we really don’t want God to be fair. But thank God, that God isn’t fair.
I think today’s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah (55:6-9) holds the key to the dilemma. Isaiah reminds us, “let (us) turn to the Lord for mercy, to our God who is generous in forgiving. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways, my ways, says the Lord.”
The mistake we make is to think the parable is about payment, or renumeration for work done. I think what Matthew is reminding us of is that God offers the gift of salvation to everyone; the parable is about God’s grace. God calls out to us on His timing, not ours. We respond at some point. Some of us as infants when baptized, others respond to God’s call as teens or adults and come into the “vineyard” through the OCIA. Rather than complaining or comparing ourselves, the correct response should be rejoicing that God has not given up on the human family but continues to call and enlarge the Church. Through our continued participation in the church, our gift of salvation is assured. Not because of our own efforts, but because God is faithful and generous with mercy and forgiveness.
So, Saints of God, let this month when we celebrate all those who work to make our lives easier, remember to thank our God who will make our eternal lives one of peace and joy.
– Fr. Steve
