Word to the Wise
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - Wednesday in the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
[Judges 9:6-15 and Matthew 20:1-6]"My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?" Thus, the last shall be first, and the first will be last.
The parable of the laborers in the vineyard has to be seen in the light of what comes before it, which, as we have seen over the past several days, means that the audience will have to draw another deep breath! Cherished and accepted beliefs about divorce and wealth are left shattered in the sand. This parable emphasizes that everything we have is a gift from God - and God "owes" us nothing! Furthermore, certain gifts (marriage/celibacy or wealth) bring responsibilities with them. Marriage is for life. Wealth must be shared freely lest it become an obstacle instead of a blessing. Finally, we are told that we cannot "earn" blessings by our own efforts. This last notion hangs around in the minds of many Christians - and I encounter often in Catholics. It's called "semi-Pelagianism." This notion holds that we can earn "brownie points" that God has to honor. In short, we can compel God to "let us into heaven," or even bypass God in the matter of salvation! The parable runs counter to our Western notions of equality and civil rights! Any school child would immediately react with the words: "No fair! No fair!" We imagine that if God loves us, God will give each and every person the same gifts ("wages") in roughly the same way. Or, at least, we imagine what others have received and demand that God give us the same. Or, we believe that we have "worked hard" in the vineyard feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty, so God "owes" us! Take another deep breath! It is because God loves us that we can take that deep breath. It is because God loves us that we can "do" anything at all! It is because God loves us that we have the freedom to reject that love or take it for granted! It is because God loves us that we have a job in the vineyard! Any notion that we can control that love or dictate its terms is absurd. God's love is a demanding and challenging love, but I don't see any better alternatives in this life, and I don't really think there are any. AMEN