Cycle A - Year II:  

20 September 2020:  Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 55:6-9

Second Reading:   Philippians 1:20-24, 27

Gospel:  Please Read  Matthew 20:1-16a

"God is generous!"

How do we measure God's generosity?  It is a superfluous question because we cannot. But we ask in order to reflect on God's boundless love towards all of us sinners.

Let us begin our reflection first by examining our human understanding of what is just and equitable.

We live in a society where everything seems to be defined by what is legal and what is just.  In the work place, for example, there are laws concerning wages and compensation, the core principle of which is that "no work, no pay", "more work more pay", or "less work, less pay."  The bottom line is to be fair and equitable according to human standards.  But in such strict legalistic environment, is there room for generosity?

The Gospel for today tells of a parable that may have relevance to the work place.  The parable of the workers in the vineyard has often puzzled many of us.  Perhaps, it is because what the landowner (or employer) did in this story goes against what most of us would have done under similar circumstances in our present time.    

A brief situational background.  In Jesus' time laborers had to wait each day in the marketplace until someone hired them for a day's job.  No work that day usually meant no food on the family table.  

Also, today's Gospel presents a parable that is found only in Matthew's Gospel. It is not in other Gospels.  Jesus tells a story about daily elements, daily things of the life of the people. He presents a picture of the social situation of His time, in which the listeners recognize themselves.  So it was an effective way of catching their attention to what Jesus wanted to say.

Now, the gist of the parable is that workers who worked all day received the same payment or wages as those who worked for less than a full day.  So the former complained to the landowner about the apparent "injustice" or "unjust" wages.

But our Lord Jesus is teaching us something about God, and it isn't about fair and just business practices.  Rather, Jesus uses this parable to help us better understand that God's generous love and justice are far, far different from our human standards.  It is so different indeed that we are baffled by it, because we have difficulty understanding God's infinite love and generosity. On the other hand, our inability to understand the full depth and breath of God's love is also an opportunity for FAITH, that is to say, our faith grows deeper  and stronger because we cannot ever fully understand God.

Now, it is not surprising if we have some difficulty to understand what Jesus is trying to preach.  Even during His time the people were shocked to hear of radical ideas in our Lord's teachings.  Many had trouble accepting  and comprehending this parable of Jesus concerning the kingdom of God.  Perhaps, Jesus really intended to shock His listeners so they think much deeper.  What Jesus maybe proposing to His listeners, then and now, is that God's love and generosity is the very foundation of the kingdom of God.

In other words, God is generous in opening the door to His kingdom  to all who will enter, both those who have labored a lifetime for Him and those who come at the last hour.  But while the reward may be the same, the motive for one's labor can make all the difference. Some work only for rewards. They will only put as much effort as they expect they will get back in return.  Others work out of love and joy for the opportunity to work and serve others.  So what is our motive for working in the Lord's vineyard?

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls His disciples to serve God and neighbors, both in our earthly environment and in His heavenly kingdom, with generosity and joy.  Do we perform our work and responsibilities with a cheerful heart and diligence for the Lord's sake?  And are we also generous to others, especially to those in most need of our care and support, especially during this pandemic?

We are the late comers in the Lord's vineyard.  We are those who were asked to work at the end of day.  We, therefore, must be overwhelmingly grateful of God's generosity and share the same generous love with others.

In sum, God gives His love, all of His love, to every person without exception if they open themselves to His love. It does not matter whether that happens early or late in life as this love can never be earned by us, only accepted with joy and gratefulness.

A blessed Sunday to us all.  And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!