THE IMMENSE GENEROSITY OF GOD
Introduction: Today's liturgy focuses our attention on the reversal of values in the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel Jesus gives us a marvelous insight into the reversal of values which is the heart of the Kingdom of God. When we read today's parable, we may fail to understand the meaning of the parable where the late comers are equally paid like the ones who worked all day. The Gospel is full of life's late comers, who are with some form of handicaps: They are the physically challenged, economically broken, the prodigal sons and daughters, the lame, the blind, the tax-collectors, sex workers and those with incurable diseases. They are the ones ignored by the people. But they are found in the Gospel because Jesus is very much concerned about each of them.
First Reading: Isaiah 55: 6 to 9
Second Reading: Philippines 1: 20 and 24 to 27
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20: 1 to 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 that the Lord God's ways are not the ways of humans. He in His infinite wisdom has His own way of dealing with we humans that may not be always to our liking. We try to shape the ways of the Lord God according to human understanding. It may not correspond to the ways of the Lord God who deals in a very different way.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul expresses his firm conviction that to live for Christ or to die for Christ is the same for him. His only ambition is to proclaim and to glorify Christ at all times and be united with Him always. This conviction of Paul should rule the hearts of all followers of the Lord.
The last will be first and the first will be last: The 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 goes to the market place and hires workers at various times of the day promising them a day's wages. At the end of the day, the owner pays everyone of the workers a day's wages (one denarius): No matter whether the person worked just one hour (the last ones) or the person worked the whole day (the first ones). The owner's generosity upsets those who worked the entire day. The question put by the owner to the disgruntled workers is very relevant: "Am I not allowed to do what I chose with what belongs to me?" The parable may seem quite strange and unjust for many. 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 he decided to give them a full day's wages. If not, their families would be starving that day. In this context Khalil Gibran says: "Generosity is giving more than what you can." St. Francis of Assisi says: "For it is in giving that we receive." R.E. Goodrich says: "Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone's day."
Conclusion: 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. Jesus gives us a lesson that it does not matter when we come to the Kingdom of God: Early, midday, or at the last hour. All that matters is that we are part of His Kingdom.
May the Lord Jesus, through the parable of the vineyard owner teaches us about the generosity of God, bless you and grand you the grace to be generous to everyone in need. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph on YouTube follows. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version. Thanks.)
No comments:
Post a Comment