Word to the Wise
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 - Wednesday in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
[Judg 9:6-15 and Matt 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]
Many a parent has heard an offspring wail, "It's not fair!" Many a college student in my office, in tears, will wail, "It's not fair!" When I hear those words, my first question is a simple one, "What were you expecting?" And then, "Did your expectations vary according to what OTHERS were receiving?" Both questions are present in the parable posed by Jesus in today's gospel passage from the Gospel According to Matthew.
The wailing words, "It's not fair!" come from the first group of laborers hired to work in the vineyard. They agreed with the owner to work for the "usual daily wage." That is what they were expecting to get, and that is what they got. But their expectations suddenly changed when they saw what the last group of laborers received. All this latter group was promised was work. There is no mention of "usual daily wage," or "whatever is just." The owner simply decided to be generous.
The notions of capitalism and fair labor standards of our western secular culture may shape our expectations on reading this parable. (Another example would be the parable of the Dishonest Steward - Luke 16:1-8). It is easy to miss the original agreement between the owner and the first group of laborers for "the usual daily wage." What is likely to stand out for us is the difference in pay and the amount of work. Envy lurks in the story.
So much of our understanding of our relationship to God is based on our expectations. These can be conscious or unconscious. Good spiritual direction has the task of uncovering these and confronting the directee with them. Jesus warns that those who "expect" to be first may find themselves to be last. What are our expectations? AMEN