Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o’clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o’clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ He said to one of them in reply, ‘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 20:1-16a
In the passage today some laborers are jealous of other laborers receiving the same pay as them for fewer hours of labor. Do not be envious of what others receive. You should be thankful for what you do receive as it is a gift from God. We are all equal before the Lord, and he will judge us according to our deeds and what is in our hearts. God is just and His justice is never separate from His mercy. God is not concerned over how we labor, how many hours we work. God is concerned with what is in our hearts. What sacrifices have we made in spreading the word of God and his message of eternal life? What is our level of devotion to Christ and willingness to suffer in his name? God looks at where everyone is in their belief and their response to God’s call and sincerity of effort. Do we repent when we sin? If not, we will be separated from God even if we are devout believers. Even a sinner who repents at the end of life will receive god’s Divine Equity, an outpouring of God’s grace flowing from God’s perfect justice and mercy. Reflect today on where you stand before God. Are you angry over blessings that others have received? Do you trust that God will see what is in your heart and you will receive his justice and mercy?