CFCUSA affiliated with Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life

HouseHoldLeader

September 21, 2008 Volume 2 Issue No. 38

Matthew 20: 1-16a / The Mind of God

Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard 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.” READINGS Isaiah 55:69; Psalm 145:2-3,8-9,17-18; Philippians 1:20-24,27; Matthew 20:1-16 REFLECTION You have made them equal to us. (Matthew 20:12) Did The Labourers in the Vineyard by Sir you ever think that the landowner in this parable could have averted a lot of John Everett-Millais, Bt, 1829-96 problems by simply paying the workers he hired first before he paid the latecomers? But Jesus crafted his parable this way so that the first laborers saw how much the others were paid. What was the crux of their grumbling? That the ones who worked less were paid the same as they were! Surely that’s not the most tactful strategy he could have employed! But this only goes to show us that human logic and divine logic are not always on the same wavelength. By telling the parable as he did, Jesus gave us insight into the logic of divine mercy: Salvation is a free gift, not something we can earn by human effort. Our God, the great equalizer, calls each of us his children. We are all put on the same footing, all in need of his mercy, all dependent on his grace. How do you find yourself reacting to someone you see as a Johnny-come-lately when you’ve been working so hard for the church for years? What about that jobless tattooed teenager down the street or the militant nonbeliever at your workplace? Do you see that in God’s eyes, they are equal to you? Each of us is his child, each is created in his image, and each is invited into his kingdom. Only he knows at what hour we will enter. The mercy of God is a great leveler. But while it tears down our pride, it builds us up as well. If we can see ourselves as equally forgiven, loved, and called, perhaps we can make the effort to change our point of view when we look at others. We’ll be a lot less apt to judge them when we understand what God has done for us. In his generosity, he has given us not just what is “fair” but what is merciful—entrance into eternal life! “Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy! Help me to see my brothers and sisters as equal in your eyes. May I rejoice in the free gift of being your child and joyfully accept others as you do!”

2

Page

Mon, Sept 22 Proverbs 3:27-34; Psalm 15:25; Luke 8:16-18 What happens when you cover up a small candle flame? It goes out! But if you put it in the open, it grows brighter and stronger. We are all tempted to conserve what little we think we have—to save it until we really need it or to hold it back until it’s more solid or impressive. Because our theological understanding is imperfect, we shy away from evangelizing. Aware of our own moral lapses, we hesitate to speak out against the public wrongdoing of others. We tithe only if we happen to have money left over at the end of the month. We don’t obey the leadings of the Spirit because we don’t have the big picture about what God is doing. On the other hand, when we share the little we have, it not only sheds light to encourage others, it tends to grow stronger and brighter. I may not be able to discourse about the mystery of the Trinity, but I can tell you how my heavenly Father has been taking care of my needs. If this prompts you to talk about your ongoing companionship with Jesus and another to recount with gratitude how he has remembered to pray in the Spirit in perplexing circumstances, we all wind up with more insight. I may not be able to solve the complex problems of a homeless addict or a single parent, but I can say yes when the Spirit directs me to give him a heartfelt welcome or to babysit her kids for a couple of hours. I don’t have a clue why there is so much suffering in your life right now, but I know that Jesus has walked with me in dark times, and I’m willing to put my arm around you. Today’s first reading gives us very practical principles for letting our light shine: “Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,’ when you

Volume 2 Issue No. 38 can give at once” (Proverbs 3:2728). As Jesus said to the scholar who could recite the greatest commandments, “Do this and you will live” (Luke 10:28). “Lord, you are the light of my life. Sometimes it seems as if I don’t have very much to offer. Help me be brave and generous with the love you have given me.”

Tue, Sept 23 Prov 21:1-6,10-13; Psalm 119: 1, 27,30,34-35,44; Lk 8:19-21

HouseHoldLeader

ships with us at the liturgy is our brother or sister. We can pray for them and their families. We can bless them in our hearts, asking Jesus to be with them in whatever struggles or challenges they may be experiencing. We can even reach out and get to know them better! We can be sure that by adding these thoughts and actions to the “theory” behind Jesus’ words, we will end up with a church that is a living, breathing body that witnesses to the glory and power of God. Now that’s a family! “As we hear your word calling us to serve others, Lord, instill in us your vision of the church as your family. May we all come to live as brothers and sisters in your name.”

May we be so dedicated to the service of others that the whole human family may become a pleasing sacrifice in your honor. So reads a prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. In a way, this Wed, Sept 24 prayer also reflects today’s Scripture reading, when Jesus exProv 30:5-9; Psalm 119: 29, 72, presses very dramatically the 89,101,104,163; Luke 9: 1-6 absolute importance of building Imagine yourself as one of the the family of God. Natural famiapostles. For months, you have lies are important, but Jesus also told his hearers, “My mother and followed Jesus throughout Galilee, seeing him perform countless my brothers are those who hear miracles. You watched in awe as the word of God and act on he cured Simon’s mother-in-law of it” (Luke 8:21). Jesus no more a fever (Luke 4:38). You marveled intended disregard for his mother as he cast out demons, cleansed a when he said this than he inman of leprosy, and told a paratended for us to literally pluck lyzed man to get up and walk out our eyes if they cause us to (4:41; 5:12-26). Then one day he sin. Rather, he wanted us to pulls you aside and tells you to go know that while it is always a out and do the same! How would good thing to build up our famyou react? Most likely you’d feel a ily life, we are also called to build up the larger family of God. In bit overwhelmed and wonder just theory, this calling to build up how you were going to do it. But the body of Christ makes sense. hopefully you were paying attention when Jesus gave you his inWe have all been baptized into structions. He didn’t just tell you one body. We have all been made what to do, he gave you the into brothers and sisters of each “power and authority” to do it other and are responsible for one (Luke 9:1). He didn’t expect you another. We sense how we can to carry out his commission on experience a deeper unity and your own but through his power. kinship when we see their needs What an opportunity to learn to as our needs and their joys as our depend on Jesus and act with conjoys. That’s the theory, but what fidence and conviction! The truth about the practice? We don’t have to go far to put this teach- is, we can do more than just imagine this scenario—because we are ing into action. One great place apostles too! We have been called to start would be to consider to carry on Jesus’ work and to be how we look at the people next his witnesses to the world around to us at Mass. It can be so easy to us. Jesus is inviting all of us to focus only on ourselves and our families, but everyone who wor- share our faith and reach out with the good news to those in need of

encouragement, hope, and healing. It may seem like only the “really” holy people can do these things—at least, until we remember that through baptism, we have received the same Holy Spirit as Peter, Paul, and the other apostles! You are not just an ordinary person. Never, ever forget that you are a child of the living God and that the Holy Spirit is still alive in you. So how can you begin to embrace your inheritance? One way is by proclaiming your identity in Christ every morning and asking him to give you a sense of mission and purpose: “Lord, as your child I believe you have given me the power and authority to act in your name. Please show me how I can serve you best.” You can be certain that God will answer this prayer.

House Hold Leader Published for CFCUSA affiliated with Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life by Couples for Christ (Washington DC) Inc. 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #180 Washington DC 20006 Telephone 202.355.5023 Website: www.cfcusa.net Email: [email protected] Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved No part can be reproduced without written permission. All readings use the New American Bible or the Revised Standard Version and the liturgical calendar of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Adolfo Q. Paglinawan Publisher & Editor

HouseHoldLeader As great as this life can be, it You are very important to his plans. “Jesus, thank you for shar- won’t last. So the most important thing we can do is to “fear God ing your kingdom with me. and keep his commandHelp me to proclaim it boldly ments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). We and to step out in faith with are fortunate to have a perspecyour good news and healing tive that Qoheleth didn’t have: touch.” We know the joy of the risen Savior, who came to redeem not just us but our fallen world as well. The grace he gives us can change our whole outlook. We don’t have to see the world as only a veil of tears, because Jesus has transformed it for us. Every moment can become an opportunity to love him and to share his Thurs, Sept 25 love with our neighbor—if we Ecclesiastes 1:2-11; Psalm 90:3- just keep our eyes focused on him and our hearts open to the move6,12-14,17; Luke 9:7-9 ments of his Holy Spirit! “Lord, Vanity of vanities… . All things are may I rejoice in all your gifts— vanity! (Ecclesiastes 1:2). “I can’t and especially the gift of eternal get no satisfaction” was the refrain life. Give me the joy of serving you with all that I am and all of one of the most popular rock that I have.” songs of all time. Isn’t it funny how similar today’s first reading sounds to this anguished anthem? Fri, Sept 26 Both seem to say that life is completely meaningless: We are born, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Psalm we live a few short years, and then 144:1-4; Luke 9:18-22 we die. We might wonder what these verses are even doing in the As these verses point out so eloBible. But if we were to explore quently, life is full of ups and the Book of Ecclesiastes a little downs. We all go through times further, we would better under- when we feel like we’re on top of stand where the author is coming the world, but we also face times from. The book was probably of challenge and tragedy. It is written around 250 b.c., when especially during these down Israel was ruled by Hellenistic times that we can feel like giving kings. It’s understandable that up or losing hope. How do I someone under foreign occupation cope with the death of a loved might be pessimistic. Its author one, the loss of a job, the betrayal was Qoholeth (meaning of a friend, or a terrible accident “preacher”), a teacher of wisdom that leaves me permanently damwho had come to see that nothing aged? How do I keep from growin this world can truly fulfill us. ing bitter and just going through And that’s an important lesson to the motions?Ironically, the key learn. Compared to the people of to weathering the storms of life is Qoholeth’s time, most of us live often found within those very pretty well. Certainly it’s not difficulties! As Qoheleth wrote, wrong to try to better ourselves God has put a sense of eternity in and our lot in this world. But our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and sometimes we’re tempted to think it’s in such trying moments that that money and comfort are all we our connection to him can grow need. How easy it is to forget the stronger. For those of us who eternal and look only at the good already know the Lord, these are stuff we have here—and the good times when we can reach out to stuff we’re trying to attain. Viewed him and deepen our faith. For this way, the wisdom of Ecclesiasthose who are still searching for tes helps us to see things clearly. God, hardship can be the door-

We begin with a survey of the Book of Ecclesiastes today.

September 21, 2008

way that opens their hearts to his mercy and grace. But there’s another reason why some difficulties are blessings in disguise. God doesn’t bring us through them merely for our own benefit but for others as well. He gives us his strength so that “we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction” with the same strength we have received from him (2 Corinthians 1:4). When we are going through a painful experience, we may not realize how much it will benefit someone else later— not the pain itself, of course, but sharing how God helped us deal with it! As Christians, we believe that all things turn out for the good for those who love the Lord (Romans 8:28). Are you going through a tough time right now? While you pray for it to end, pray also to stay close to Jesus, so that he can transform you. And look for opportunities to bless others who may be suffering as well. You can be a vessel of the Holy Spirit, helping someone else to discover the “timeless” in their hearts that they have always been looking for! “Lord, all the times and seasons of my life are in your hands. Thank you that your mercy and love endure forever, no matter what this day will bring.”

Sat, Sept 27 Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8; Psalm 90:3-6,12-14,17; Luke 9:43-45 “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)—in other words, before it’s too late. The author of Ecclesiastes goes on to give a poetic description of the infirmities of old age, when “the grinders [teeth] are idle because they are few… . All the daughters of song are suppressed [because of hearing loss]; and
… the almond tree blooms [white hair]” (12:3-5). When we realize how short life is and resign ourselves to that

Page

3

fact, we can have two different responses. Ironically, they both stem from the same simple reality: We can be alive only in the present moment. So what are these two responses? A foolish person might conclude, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32). Without any regard for the consequences of his actions or for the way of life God has ordained, he builds his life around self-gratification. By contrast, a wise person would use his time on this earth to prepare for eternity. He neither dwells in the past with regret nor borrows trouble from the future with worry. Instead, he receives every moment from the hand of God and strives to give it back, loving and serving God with his whole being. Like his foolish counterpart, he too lives in the present moment— but in the love of God right now and in the good that God opens up for him to do. The foolish person makes the mistake of believing that nothing lasts. The habits we are forming now, whether they tend toward love or selfishness, will endure even as our physical and mental abilities decline. Likewise, the loving relationships we cultivate, especially with our Creator, go on for eternity. When you find your mind wandering toward anxiety about the future, quietly seek God’s love for you in the present moment. And take courage! God is present to you now, and he will be present to you in every moment of your life, whether that life is short or long, whatever your own abilities and limitations are at any given moment. “Lord, teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy” (Psalm 90:12,14).

4

Page

Volume 2 Issue 38

HouseHoldLeader

a People saved Only by Grace Seek the Lord while he may be found This is the time of the year when the gospels intensify putting us on same page where the Lord’s was in his public life, by adjusting our attitudes while he awaits for the right time for him to enter Jerusalem, the lair and stronghold of his opposition, to fulfill what Scriptures have foretold about his violent end. It is a way of preparing us, of setting expectations not from our human perspective and of leveling our basic understanding of the mind of God. In the past two essays, we began dealing with forgiveness, first from the perspective of building a community of order and discipline by discussing fraternal correction, and second from that of the triumph of the Cross.

leaf and star. Men are blinded because of their own false ideas. Most people are not interested in knowing the true God but a "god" who suits their taste, with whom they feel comfortable, and who gives them their desires. God would not be God if He were no more than a cosmic help button that we press at our whim.

Sin can destroy intimacy and break our relationship with God. On the other hand, it takes a heart that is hungry and thirsty to get to know God above everything else in life. We usually don’t experience that kind of exclusive hunger and thirst for God until we realize our powerlessness, brokenness and need for God. This is where Isaiah 55:6-9 comes in [6] "Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; [7] let the wicked This week we come face to face with God’s grace, how to find it forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him and meaningfully appreciate it as our Creator’s outpouring of his return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our unconditional love for us. But before we take on the epistles taken from Isaiah 55:6-9 and Philippians 1:20-24,2 and the gospel that comes God, for he will abundantly pardon. [8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. [9] from Matthew 20:1-16, let us establish our point of departure here. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher A God who Pursues Us than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” In the classic poem “Hound of Heaven”, we see a God who relentResponding with Dire Urgency lessly pursues us. We have seen him as eternal, infinite, all powerful, The word "seek" pointed to a deliberate stepping toward God. all knowing, morally perfect; yet he chooses to know and love, and “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will be known by his imperfect, finite children. find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all Restoration begins with God’s pursuit of us. He bridges the treyour soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). mendous chasm that separate us from him by his taking the initiative. Isaiah 55:6 speaks of the pursuit of God as urgent and primary, Jesus says in John 15:16a, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” not secondary. It is an active pursuit not passive, decisive not opHe initiates by using circumstances, struggles and trials to reveal himtional, allowing nothing to stand in the way and as if everything self and his character. As we find ourselves in his presence, our view depended on it. We seek him not just in prayer and sacrifice but to of him and our view of who we are, sinful men and women, become establish a personal and living relationship with him so that he beapparent to us. comes the very footprint of our lives. Now this - John 3: 16a -17 says “For God so loved the world … We must seek the Lord urgently. Our seeking must be while he (that he) sent (his) Son into the world, not to condemn the world, may be found… while He is near. As we have already established but that the world might be saved through him”. God is not always equally accessible, not in the sense that he is not God became one among us, the Word became flesh – the only omnipresent, but that he is a God who “hides”. possible way to connect and show that despite our fallen nature it is There are moments of time and windows of opportunity when possible for us to regain eternal life with him. This takes effect by we must seek God. 2 Corinthians 6: 2 emphasizes, “now is the acway of his demonstrating his love by dying for us. Thus God, cepted time...now is the day of salvation" and Jesus warned His through his Son, pursues us in order to cleanse us and establish a disciples of the urgency for decision now” The key word now acturelationship with us so he can live and dwell within us. ally implies being always available for his beck and call. This intimacy, however, is a life-long process, we don’t just arrive. Disciples and servants wait on their Lord. Jesus said unto The Christian life is not one of status quo in which we enter into a them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you relationship with God and then stagnate. God’s desire is that we rehave the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in the main faithful to the end of our earthly lives Our relationship with darkness does not know where he goes” (John 12:35). There is a God is the foundation upon which we then grow in our fellowship critical, spiritual moment when the God deals with the soul of an with God resulting in intimacy with him. individual and that moment must be grasped. God however hides himself, “Truly, thou art a God who hidest Seek the Lord’s Pardon with Expectant Faith thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior” (Isaiah 45:15) - not from those who can see but only from those who cannot. “All of them are put to We can believe with security that God will have mercy, that He shame and confounded, the makers of idols go in confusion towill pardon. (Isaiah 55:7) gether.” (v16). Pardon depends on the sincerity of the seeker. Outwardly, the The ego of man is so inflated that it obscures the God who fills the seeker must lay aside an habitual course of sinful living. Inwardly, universe, whose infinite wisdom and power are conspicuous in every there must be a radical change in disposition. External reformation

HouseHoldLeader

September 21, 2008

Page

5

Workers in the Vineyard As the conflict between Jesus and his adversaries began to intensify, and as the time for our Lord’s sacrificial death drew near, he dealt with some rather very nasty issues. Some of these are recorded previous to our gospel message today that by itself alone is already shocking. When some parents sought to bring their little children to Jesus, so that he Pardon relates to the certainty of salvation. The very could bless them, the disciples rebuked them thinking Jesus was too busy and act of turning to God is an expression of His mercy. His too important to be interrupted by children. Jesus corrected the situation by grace meets us more than halfway. But God’s pardon is instructing them to allow the children to come to him, saying “the kingdom not scant, stingy, or begrudging. "He will freely pardon". of heaven belongs to such as these,” meaning the little children (Matt 19:14). God delights to multiply and make great His pardon Of course, the Pharisees and the scribes didn’t see it that way. They thought when we come to Him with repentance: "Where sin that heaven belonged to them, because of their religious efforts, and because abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). of their positions. Seek the Lord with Trusting Certitude. There was also the case of a rich young ruler in Matthew 19: 16-22 who wanted to know what it was that he must still do to inherit eternal life. This God’s forgiveness is better than mere man can imagman felt that he had fully kept the law from his youth, yet the Lord corrected ine. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are him how far he came from measuring up to God’s standards. Jesus told him your ways My ways, declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). to sell all that he owned and to give the proceeds to the poor. That was too To the guilty man, the reality of absolute forgiveness high a price to pay and so the rich appears impossible. The narrow young ruler sadly left the scene. confines of guilt-ridden minds canJesus then turned to his disciples not imagine the goodness of God. and pointed out how hard it is for The Lord assures us that He is inthe rich to enter heaven because their deed better and more than we can love and their trust is in their wealth. imagine, as the heaven is high “…It is easier for a camel to go above the earth. through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven” (Matt Isaiah 55:8-9 provides us an as19:24) That definitely surprised the surance that God’s purposes and disciples for in those days it is aspromises are irrevocable. It is a sumed that the rich all went to universal and timeless principle heaven, while the poor went to hell. that He will forgive. 1 Samuel Many believed that wealth was God’s 15:29, "And also the Strength of reward for being righteous, while Israel will not lie nor repent: for he poverty was God’s punishment for is not a man, that he should resin. Jesus told His disciples that the pent." gospel turned the religion of that day The assurance of our forgiveupside-down. ness rests in the character of God Our parable today went like this. Himself. To be God, He must A landowner needed to hire day lastand true to His promise. We can borers to work in his fields, and so be sure of seeking and finding forhe went to the labor pool and hired a giveness. God’s pardon and forgivenumber of workers. He agreed to ness is: available to all, abundant pay these workers the standard wage and free, amazing and certain. – a denarius a day. Needing more help, he made several more trips to Even St. Paul humbly admits the labor pool, hiring additional his own difficulty dealing with this workers. But to these workers, he yet he expresses a resolve that indigave no specific commitment. He did cate total trust in God regardless of not tell them what he would pay, consequences. “Christ will be magonly that he would do “whatever is nified in my body, Whether by right.” The last group of workers was life or death. For to me life is hired one hour before the workday Christ, and death is gain. If I go on ended. The landowner made no speliving in the flesh, that means fruitcific commitment to them about ful labor for me.” (Phllippians 1: how much they were to receive. 20b-22a) . In those days, the workers were With this, the parable on the paid for their labors at the end of the workers in the vineyard is put in The Martyrdom of St. Paul by workday. When it came time to pay, its proper perspective. Tintoretto 1556, exhibited in the Madonna the landowner began with P6 those workers who had dell'Orto Church in Venice without internal change in thinking is not enough. When we come to God, or come back to God, there must be sincerity that embraces both the outwardness of our visible life and the inwardness of our unseen disposition and thinking.

gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is not “the first” who get to heaven, but “the last” who get there, by grace through faith. The warning to each of us is not to be proud of what we have done and expect more than those whom we think have done less. After all, if we have done more, or done it longer, it is only by God’s grace he made the opportunity available earlier for us through his triumph on the Cross. The gospel here drives us back to the instruction that whether He gives us a whole day, or just an hour, we must serve Him faithfully and trust that we will enter into the reward that He has in store for those who are faithful. That God chose any one of us for His vineyard is amazing. In the final analysis this story is basically about people responding to the opportunity to work in His vineyard when the invitation is made to them. For some the arrangements are clear, for others they are not, but in both cases the Lord deals justly and fairly with His people. It is not a parable about salvation only but about working in His vineyard, and the rewards that will be given for faithfulness. To actualize this, people should be ready to respond to the opportunity for service, and rejoice in what He gives us as a reward for our service. He alone knows the value of each person’s service for His kingdom. We serve not because of the service, but we serve the Lord of the service. Paul Little, in his book Affirming the Will of God, wrote: The will of God is not like the magic package let down from heaven by a string. The will of God is far more like a scroll that unrolls everyday. The will of God is to be discerned and to be lived out everyday of our lives, It is not something to be grasped as a package once for all. Our call therefore, is basically not to follow a plan or a blueprint, or to go to a place or take up work, but rather to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our challenge is to remain humble before and totally dependent on the landowner who is Ever-Sovereign, and to persevere in the ever trust in his assurance that when the opportunity and the rewards come from our gracious and merciful God, they will be generous, just and eternal. # - My Maestro

Only by Grace can We enter...

labored for only an hour. Everyone was amazed when they saw that these workers were given a full day’s pay, for only one P5 hour’s work. You can imagine how the rest of the workers began to reason to themselves. The ones who worked two hours must be getting paid twice the daily rate, and the ones who worked all day must be getting eight denarii. The parable deals only with the “first” and the “last” groups, for rather obvious reasons It is those who are hired first who protest when they are paid their normal wage, even though this was the payment upon which they had agreed. It is not so much that they had been cheated, by being paid less than the rate agreed upon; it is that the last group of workers were paid more than they deserved. The thing that angered the early workers was not the landowner’s greed, but his grace. Deciphering the Parable The angry workers represented the legalists, who thought that salvation came to those who worked the hardest. But when it comes to getting into heaven, the Bible makes it clear that no one can work hard enough or long enough to earn eternal life. Paul wrote “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3: 1920) In this same chapter of Romans, Paul makes it very clear that all men are sinners, unworthy of heaven, and deserving of God’s eternal wrath: “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all; for I have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as it is written: None is righteous, not one; no one understands, no one seeks for God. All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong; no one does good, not even one… Their throat is an open grave, they use their tongues to deceive… The venom of asps is under their lips… Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness…Their feet are swift to shed blood, in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they do not know… There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3: 9-18) It is only by grace that men can be saved, and this grace is available only in and through the sacrifice which Jesus Christ made on the Cross, where He took the sin, the guilt, and the punishment for lost sinners. “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” (vv2125a). Fair or Unfair Eternal life is never fair or not fair. If eternal life were “fair” (that is, compensating men and women based upon the quality and quantity of their good works), no one would ever see heaven. Eternal life cannot be earned, but it can be received as a gift. That is what this parable was meant to convey. It is not the “righteous” – that is, those who do the most good deeds – who get to heaven; it is sinners, who know that they The VineYard Labourers by Merian, Matthaeus the Elder (1625-30) deserve nothing but God’s wrath, but who gladly receive the an Engraving from "Icones Biblicae"