Word to the Wise
Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - Wednesday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ezek 34:1-11 and Matt 20:1-16]WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2018 THE QUEENSHIP OF MARY
[Ezekiel 34:1-11 and Matthew 20:1-16]
“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 will be first, and the first will be last.” [Matthew]
Any parent or teacher would be familiar with this scene. Children are very sensitive to any perception that a sibling or peer might get “more.” It is definitely a challenge to generosity! The workers hired earlier in the day agreed to the usual daily wage and that is what they received. They had not counted on other workers coming later and receiving the same amount for “less” work. Their feelings are expressed and reveal envy not just of the later workers but of the Master who has the money to give.
In my pastoral experience some folks have confessed to me that they envied someone a particular skill or friends or lifestyle. “Why did God give them such and such and not give me the same? It’s not fair!” Ignored are gifts already received or bad decisions made. It’s what someone else has that becomes the focus of attention. There is also the effort to impose certain standards of “fairness” on God that we have composed. Envy is a corrosive thing and no one is exempt from it. The challenge is to recognize it in ourselves (or in others as well) and avoid it. Gratitude for gifts received (even if we haven’t paid attention to them) is a good antidote. God has not and will not cheat us. AMEN
[Note to the Beloved Congregation. Aug. 22, 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the first WTTW being sent by e-mail to a few friends. The e-mail list is now about 450 but others see it on other websites or visit my website at