8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and ending with the first.’ 9 The workers who came an hour before sunset each received a denarius, 10 so the workers who came first expected they would get more, but each of them also received just a denarius. 11 On receiving their wages, they began grumbling to the farmer, 12 ‘These latecomers have worked only one hour, while we have borne the brunt of the day’s work in the hot sun, yet you have put them on an equal footing with us!’ 13 But he answered one of them, ‘Look, friend, I’m not being unfair with you. Didn’t you agree to work today for a denarius? 14 Now take your pay and go! I choose to give the last worker as much as I’m giving you. 15 Haven’t I the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 Thus the last ones will be first and the first last.”
Saint John Eudes, Priest (Optional Memorial)Are you envious because I am generous? (Matthew 20:15)
Imagine that you have died and find yourself in heaven. You walk through the gates and wonder whom you are going to see there. Certainly you hope to see Jesus, Moses, and the prophets. And perhaps other great saints like Mother Teresa or John Paul II. But imagine your surprise if you see in the midst of all those luminaries some notorious figures as well: maybe brutal dictators like Hitler, Stalin, or Mao Tse-Tung. Would that even be possible?
Granted, this is an extreme scenario. But the point of Jesus’ parable is that it is possible. The landowner who paid his workers the same no matter when they showed up is like God. His kindness is available to everyone who will receive it. No exceptions! We don’t know the final state of anyone’s soul, and even the worst criminal can repent.
Now, to react as these “early birds” did and say, “That’s not fair!” would seem perfectly normal. After all, why should someone who has done terrible evil be admitted to the same heaven as we are? We have worked so hard all our lives to please the Lord!
It’s a good thing that God doesn’t reason the way human beings do. We sometimes think that as long as we’ve done plenty of good deeds and avoided the bad ones, we’re safe. But Scripture reminds us that salvation “depends not upon a person’s will or exertion, but upon God, who shows mercy” (Romans 9:16). Although good deeds should follow upon our conversion, they can’t get us into heaven. At the same time, our sins can’t keep us out of heaven, if we confess them and turn to the Lord.
The lesson of this parable isn’t that we can do anything we want and get away with it. It’s that God can do anything he wants. And he wants you to be with him forever. He’s not interested in dwelling on your sins or making a checklist of what you have or haven’t done. He simply wants to give you his mercy so that you can become a citizen of heaven. And he wants you to show that same mercy to everyone you meet—sinner and saint alike!
“Lord, your mercy is unfathomable. Teach me to look on everyone as my brother and sister. May I never judge anyone as being unworthy of your love.” Amen!
Judges 9:6 All the men of Sh’khem and all Beit-Millo got together and went and made Avimelekh king at the oak by the cult-pillar in Sh’khem. 7 When they told this to Yotam, he went and stood on top of Mount G’rizim and shouted, “Listen to me, you leaders of Sh’khem; then God will listen to you! 8 Once the trees went out to choose a king to rule them. They said to the olive tree, ‘Rule over us!’ 9 But the olive tree replied, ‘Am I supposed to leave my oil, which is used to honor both God and humanity, just to go and hold sway over the trees?’ 10 So the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You, come and rule over us!’ 11 But the fig tree replied, ‘Am I supposed to leave my sweetness and my good fruit just to go and hold sway over the trees?’ 12 So the trees said to the grapevine, ‘You, come and rule over us!’ 13 But the grapevine replied, ‘Am I supposed to leave my wine, which gives cheer to God and humanity, just to go and hold sway over the trees?’ 14 Finally, all the trees said to the thorn bush, ‘You, come and rule over us!’ 15 The thorn bush replied, ‘If you really make me king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade. But if not, let fire come out of the thorn bush and burn down the cedars of the L’vanon!’
Psalm 21:2 (1) Adonai, the king finds joy in your strength;
what great joy he displays in your victory!
3 (2) You give him his heart’s desire;
you don’t refuse the prayer from his lips. (Selah)
4 (3) For you come to meet him with the best blessings,
you place a crown of fine gold on his head.
5 (4) He asks you for life; you give it to him,
years and years forever and ever.
6 (5) Your victory brings him great glory;
you confer on him splendor and honor.
7 (6) For you bestow on him everlasting blessings,
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
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