Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Wages

The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market place idle. And he said to them: Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just. And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner.

But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: Why stand you here all the day idle? They say to him: Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them: Go you also into my vineyard. And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. When therefore they were come, that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: and they also received every man a penny.

And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, Saying: These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats. But he answering said to one of them: Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? is thy eye evil, because I am good?

So shall the last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen
Matthew 20:1-16 (Douay-Rheims)

Dear Father how easy for a converted sinner to understand this parable. One can go through their entire life lost and in a moment of grace you call them, and yet they would receive the same as those who came before them, eternal life. Even though they have labored all their life for your kingdom they receive the same as those who are called late in life. It is by your hand alone that we come to life everlasting and freedom of sin. Your love and forgiveness for those who have been lost is wonderful, because they too receive a just reward. Your gracious generosity cannot be outdone. That is why so many grumble today of unfairness because no one practices what you teach. Yet they only give what pay and time is allotted to those who work. Those who work an hour do not receive the same pay as those who have done a full days work. Yet those who get a full pay still grumble and seek more just as those who receive less. We are not gracious or thankful for the means in which we live, yet we grumble. Father should I see a penny, I thank you for it because you provided it. I think in Jesus' parable he calls us to be thankful for the generosity of the Father. May we thank him with all our hearts for everything that he gives us. And for what he doesn't give. Amen

No comments: