Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Tine_A - Food For Thought_092020

Deacon Tom Writes,

“Food For Thought”

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Most of us tend to dismiss the parable we hear in today’s gospel. We don’t like its message; it rubs us the wrong way; it’s contrary to the way we were brought up and our sense of “fairness”. We rationalize that the person who puts in an 8-hour day should earn more than the person who shows up on the job an hour before quitting time. I confess that I would feel cheated if that happened to me. How about you?  Can you blame those who worked all day if they began to protest and grumble or for harboring a grudge against the landowner?

“God’s ways” are not “our ways” we have heard. And perhaps we know that in our heads. We know that God has a different way of seeing the reality of things. In today’s reading we get to ponder one particular element of justice from God’s viewpoint. What do I mean? We are a work-oriented society in America today. I say that grossly aware of the many unemployed and chronic under-employment that we are experiencing which has been exasperated in our Covid-19 plagued nation. Work is essential to our economic survival and our personal identity. No work equals not only no money but also no identity and, therefore, no dignity in the minds of many. And once chronic unemployment sets in, one begins to suffer the degradation of the human spirit, which is a fully unjust condition.

Today we read about a landowner who continues to send workers into the field throughout the day. They work, and if you have ever worked on a in the fields, you know they worked hard!  At the end of the day they must provide for their family. An hour’s wage isn’t going to provide adequately for the family. The landowner knows this… and so how does the landowner act?  With justice and compassion; He pays the going daily wage to each and every worker regardless of the number of hours they spent under the sun.

Unjust? What if tomorrow you weren’t hired until 3 o’clock in the afternoon? What if you were the recipient of this landowner generosity…. his sense of justice? Would your attitude change if you were able to provide for your family in good times and lean times? 

Jesus teaches us in many ways that we have to rethink our attitudes in how we treat one another. What a message for us today as we hear the verbal venom being spewed about this group or that group of people. It is essential that people of faith recognize and act accordingly to the truth that God’s way is the only and best way to build and sustain a just society, one where everyone shares fairly in the work and rewards of labor. We see that intention and opportunity are as important as pure productivity in the kingdom of which Jesus laid the foundation.

We see God in today’s scripture as one whose generosity is beyond our comprehension. We know from our knowledge of scripture that God is good to everyone, that “he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” (MT 5:45) This is an amazing thought! For Jesus constantly challenges us to imitate Him and see things the way that God sees them and to act accordingly… with justice, mercy, and compassion.

Please keep all the victims of the pandemic, their loved ones and the dedicated medical personnel whose service to those in need is inspirational in your prayers.

Enjoy the day and stay safe!

Deacon Tom