Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year September 24, 2023
Isaiah 55:6-9
Philippians 1:20-24.27 Matthew
20:1-16
Today’s Gospel presents us with a parable that demonstrates
to us the difference between our spontaneous judgments and God’s ways. In the
first reading we hear Isaiah reminding us that, “For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” We are invited to think the way God
expects us to think. If we do more, like the early labourers in the vineyard,
our natural reaction is to claim more for ourselves than the latecomers who do
less. The parable reminds us that service in God’s vineyard is selfless. It is
God’s will and wisdom to save all who want to work, and that should also be our
intention.
Matthew probably addressed this parable to his fellow Jewish
Christians. God called them a long time ago to build the kingdom of God. Now,
at an apparently late hour, God was calling the Gentiles to work with them in
building up the same divine kingdom. It would be wrong for the early-bird
Jewish people to see the Johnny-come-lately Gentiles as deserving of a lower
status than themselves “who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching
heat” (verse 12). Probably the problem of Matthew's Jewish audience was their
difficulty in seeing that God was intent on building, in Christ, a kingdom
where all peoples -- Jews and Gentiles -- would be family.
At first glance, this may seem unfair to us, just as it
seemed unfair to the labourers who worked all day. They expected to receive
more than those who had worked only a short time. But the landowner responds
with a question that reveals a profound spiritual truth: "Are you envious
because I am generous?"
This parable reminds us of the generosity of God's grace.
God's grace is not something that can be earned or measured in human terms. It
is freely given to all who turn to Him, regardless of their past or present
circumstances. God's grace is not about fairness or deserving; it is about His
boundless love and mercy.
Some lesson we could draw from today’s gospel:
1. God's Grace is Abundant: Just as the landowner paid all
the labourers the same wage, God's grace is abundant and available to all who
seek it. It doesn't matter when we come to Him; His grace is always sufficient.
2. Avoiding Envy and Comparison: The labourers who worked all day were envious of those who worked less but received the same wage. In our lives, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others and feeling envious. God's grace is given to each of us according to His divine plan, not based on our human judgments.
3. Embrace God's Generosity: Instead of questioning God's
generosity, we should be grateful for it. We should rejoice in the knowledge
that His grace is available to everyone, regardless of their past mistakes or
the time they come to Him.
4. Respond with Gratitude: When we recognize the depth of
God's generosity, our natural response should be gratitude. We should thank Him
for His grace and strive to live our lives in a way that reflects His love and
mercy to others.
Today let us reflect the limitless generosity of God's
grace. Let us strive to avoid envy and comparison, embrace His abundant love,
and respond with hearts full of gratitude. May we always remember that God's
grace is available to each of us, inviting us to enter His vineyard and labour
for His kingdom.
Happy Sunday
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