Generosity of God....
Generosity of God........
In Israel, grape harvest is like a festival. Lots of people are coming and going even from outside of the country. The season of harvest, usually between July and October, varied based on the grape’s variety. The Gospel of Matthew (20:1-16) presents a cultural setting - we have a wealthy owner of the vineyard, who finds laborers at different times of the day. It is very common that harvesting starts early in the morning. At 6 AM, the landowner sends the first group of workers who agree to work for the usual daily wage: one Denarius. Then he goes out into the marketplace at nine, noon, three, and five o’clock and gets more workers. Those who came at the last hour worked only one hour. As the day ends, the landowner instructs his manager to pay one denarius each, the daily living wage, to all the workers, beginning with those who start at five in the afternoon.
Deuteronomy 24:15 says, “On each day you shall pay the servant’s wages before the sun goes down since the servant is poor and is counting on them. Otherwise, the servant will cry to the LORD against you, and you will be held guilty.” In the Gospel the owner of the vineyard not only gave the wage, but his being generous. Now put yourselves in the shoes of the workers who got out there at 6 AM.
It sounds unfair, isn’t it? If we want to understand this passage, we need to read the last part of the previous Chapter. Matthew chapter 19:21, Jesus said to a rich man, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. Then Peter asks, (27) “We have given up everything and followed you. What will be for us?” Jesus promised them ‘hundred times more’ then he said, (30) “Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Even though Jesus promised a hundred times more to his disciples, this passage opens up the same gift to everyone who is willing to turn to God.
This parable refers to Israelites' labor throughout the salvation history and the coming of the Gentiles in the New Covenant. Despite the complaints, no injustice took place, but we see the generosity of God. The Gentiles were the late comers, but they received the same gift from God.
We are in Eucharistic Revival years and Maintenance to Mission years. We might have lived our whole life as Christians/Catholics. But like workers who didn't come to the vineyard until 5 pm, there are so many waiting for our invitation. We need to grow in our faith, and we need to actively share the faith. The question we may ask is how we can give that invitation. For example, we can display something connected to my/your personal faith journey - a holy card, or a family picture of your child's first Communion or Confirmation, or statues and so on. Someday someone will ask you about it, you will get a chance to talk about it and ask about their faith - and keep that momentum. Invite them to some of the social events in the parish.
Another aspect of reading for this Sunday is for our personal reflection. Like Israelites, we may be Catholic for our whole life. How do we feel when someone receives the same gift in the last hour?
The first reading is from the last chapter (55) of the second Isaiah. The second Isaiah is written at the end of the Babylonian exile. It explains the unconditional promise of redemption. In today’s first reading, Isaiah reminds us that God doesn’t think in the same way that we do. God is more merciful than we are. The Lord God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” God is love and merciful, he is waiting for everyone to return to him.