Today’s Gospel is another story that we’re all familiar with, that of the landowner who hired laborers to go into his vineyard. People were called at various points of the day; some toiled all day in the hot sun, while some presumably only worked an hour or two, as the day was ending and temperatures were more comfortable. Yet, at the end of the day everyone received the same pay. “Unfair”, cried the laborers who had worked all day! And many people today have a similar difficulty with this
parable. Why does this seem unfair? Because, as the Lord told Isaiah, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” We think in terms of “fair”, whereas God is generous. Think for a moment of all that God has given us; none of which we earned. Most importantly, think of the forgiveness that God continually offers us despite our continued failings. We can’t earn it; it is a gift freely given. God’s generosity extends to everyone equally. It doesn’t matter how “good” or “bad” a person appears to us, nor does it matter at what point in a person’s life they turn to God. As is noted elsewhere in the Gospel, “there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons”. We must ask ourselves, what can we do, as individuals and as a faith community, to help others find their way to God?