Each time I read the Gospel reading for today, my first thought is that it really does not seem fair that those fellows who worked the whole long day did not receive something more than those who worked only an hour. I guess that comes from knowing what it is like to work all day in a field, especially in the heat of the day. The afternoons and evenings are a joy compared to the noon day heat. Yet that is merely a human perception, and that limited perception is what really ties all our readings together today.
God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts and perspective are beyond anything we can conceive of. We have no common frame of reference, and that makes it all the more crucial for us to pay close attention to what He is saying, and take Him at his word, rather than trying to fit His meaning into our own idea of what is fair or proper. Once again, we really have it backwards in how we sometimes view things, especially when we encounter a scriptural passage we don’t understand at first. We are called to serve God, not judge His teachings. Yes, we are curious about Him, and yes, we are supposed to ask questions so that we can learn from Him, but we need to be careful that we do not cross over the line to passing judgment. That is simply not our place. How can finite creatures possibly judge the infinite?
Saint Paul’s perspective that to live is to do so to serve Christ is the one that we need to humbly observe. We are here for that very reason, and if we really think about it, to those who believe, the idea of leaving this earth and being with Christ is something to indeed look forward to. However, while we are here, it is our task in life to do all we can for our brothers and sisters to help bring them to God, by our example and our words, so that we show love for them, and in doing so, show love for the Father.
To come back to the Gospel, consider this: if we look at the narrative metaphorically, and the vineyard is our existence here on earth and the work that it entails, and the payment received at the end of the day is our heavenly reward, it all starts to make a bit more sense. You see, heaven, by its definition, is perfect union with God, you cannot receive more than that, no matter what you do, nor would you want to. So, whether we started our work sooner or later, the end reward makes it all worthwhile. Moreover, we know from scripture that there is more joy in heaven for one that changes their sinful ways, and comes to salvation in Christ, than for all those who are already on the right path. God is always looking for those lost sheep, even when they arrive late in the day to begin their work, and once on the right path, He will lead them to heaven right along with those who have been on that right path for a while. Why? Simply because He loves all of us and wants all of us to be with Him. This is especially true of those lost sheep. We should in fact all be grateful for that because we have all been lost at one time or another. Our God is the God of mercy and love, and that supersedes all else because there simply is nothing greater.
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The Deacons Bench 