Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

When I was a young child I thought you needed to earn ‘brownie points’ by doing good deeds such as going to mass on weekdays or other pious practices, in order to earn God’s favour. Christianity for me at that time was a meritocracy – people were rewarded by God for their hard work and efforts.

The parable in today’s gospel turns this notion completely upside down. God’s love and mercy is pure gift. Our response to that gracious outpouring is a desire to do good and seek God’s will in our lives.

We are all like the labourers in today’s parable. Many of us have turned to God in various stages of our lives, just like the labourers turning up in the market place – a meeting place that symbolises an openness and readiness to accept God’s presence into our lives.

No one misses out on God’s love, just like no labourer missed out on a day’s wages. God’s generous outpouring of love is a cornucopia – a horn of plenty and great abundance. Much, much more than enough for all.

What I always wonder about this story is why the landowner paid those hired last before those who had worked all day. Might I suggest that this was done deliberately so that all the labourers could see the lavish generosity of the landlord where no one misses out.

Have there been times in our lives when we have been envious of those late comers while we, with a sense of moral superiority, have sought to serve and follow the Lord all of our lives?