In today’s first reading, Isaiah 55:6-9, God, speaking through Isaiah tells us “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” Then, in the gospel, Matthew 20: 1 – 16a, Jesus, demonstrates just how true Isaiah’s words are through the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.
he Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard was challenging to all the people who heard it, Pharisees and Disciples alike, and it is challenging to us today. It clashes with our human sense of justice. The landowner’s generosity to all his workers does not seem fair. This is another parable we should consider in context. Jesus tells this parable in response to a question Peter poses in Matthew 19:27, “what will there be for us?” Jesus’ answer is “everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” He then proceeds to tell the parable.
It can be difficult for us to grasp that God loves all of us the same. All people are precious in the sight of God. In the Kingdom of Heaven, the tax collector and the priest, the day laborer and the most skilled worker, the beggar and the richest person, the most devout Pharisee and the outcast are all welcome. In fact, the tax collectors, day laborers, beggars and outcasts may get into the Kingdom of Heaven before the priests, the skilled workers, the rich people and the Pharisees. Thankfully, for us, God’s goodness, compassion, mercy and grace surpass our very limited human notions of time, justice and logic.
Almighty Father,
the love you offer always exceeds
the furthest expression of our human longing,
for you are greater than the human heart.
Direct each thought, each effort of our lives,
so that the limits of our faults and weaknesses
may not obscure the vision of your glory
or keep us from the peace you have promised.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
