Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Workers in the Vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16

Not many people really like this reading from Matthew's gospel. We complain, "It's not fair." But why isn't it fair? From the beginning the workers agreed on the pay. There was no discussion on what others would be paid, no hidden clause in the contract that said the workers could determine what others would be paid. So, really, it is fair in that the owner of the vineyard lived up to his part of the bargain.

We talked about this in our staff meeting as we always begin by reading the upcoming Sunday readings. God gives us a way to Him and no matter when we say "yes" we get to Him. God is not fair, he is just and full of mercy. Our responsibility is to accept his mercy and allow it to change us to be who we are called to become. We must also allow others to see God's mercy in us, so that they to can join us in the vineyard.

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