THE VIRTUE OF GENEROSITY
First Reading: Isaiah 55: 6-9
Second Reading: Philippians 1: 20 and 24-27
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20: 1-16
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah urges the people of Israel to turn away from their evil and sinful ways and return to the Lord God. He tells them and us that the Lord God's ways are not our ways. The Lord God in His infinite wisdom has His own way of dealing with us that may not be always to our liking. Often we try to shape the ways of the Lord God according to human understanding. It may not correspond to the way of the Lord God who deals with us in various ways.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul expresses his deep conviction that to live for Christ or to die for Christ is the same for him. His only ambition is to proclaim and glorify Christ at all times and be united with Him always. This conviction of Paul should rule the hearts of all who follow the Lord.
The last will be first and the first last (Reversal of values in the Kingdom of God) Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The parable of the vineyard owner and his generosity to the workers is narrated in detail. The owner of the vineyard gives a day's wages (one denarius) for everyone who worked in his vineyard that day, no matter whether the person worked just one hour (the one who came last) or the person who worked the whole day (one who came first). The owner's generosity makes those who worked the entire day dissatisfied and angry. The question put by the vineyard owner to the disgruntled workers is very relevant: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?" The parable may seem quite strange and unjust for many of us. Some may even think that the vineyard owner is not understanding the feelings of those who toiled all day in the harsh sun. According to one Biblical scholar, the parable doesn't depict reckless, arbitrary action of the owner, rather, it shows the behaviour of a large-hearted man who is very compassionate, kind and full of sympathy for the poor and the deprived. It is out of pity for their poverty that the owner decided to give them a full day's wages. If not, their families would be starving that day. Through the parable, Jesus is expressing the unlimited goodness, compassion and graciousness of a kind and loving God and not about labour relationships. Often we grudge others who are in some way more favoured by God. Sometimes we are not willing to accept God's unlimited generosity and kindness. Hence, through the parable, Jesus gives us a lesson that it does not matter when we come to the Kingdom of God; early, middle or at the last hour. All that matters is that we are part of His Kingdom.
"Generosity is giving more than what you can." - Khalil Gibran
"For it is in giving that we receive." _ St. Francis of Assisi
"Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone's day." - R.E. Goodrich
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