Sunday, February 9, 2014

1st February Trinity 2013, Expecting More

1st February Trinity
Matthew 20: 1-16

The kingdom of the heavens is like a man, the master of his house, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. Agreeing to pay them one denarius a day, he sent them out into his vineyard.

At about 9 o’clock he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace, and he said to them, “Go also into my vineyard, and I will give you whatever is right.” So they went.

He went out again at about noon and at 3 o’clock and did the same. At 5 o’clock he went out and found others standing there, and he said to them, “Why do you stand here all day idle?” They said, “Because no one has hired us.” He said, “You, too, go into the vineyard.”

And when evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his steward, “Call the workers and give them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.”

Those who had been hired at 5 o’clock came forward, and each received one denarius. Therefore, when it was the turn of those who were hired first, they expected to receive more. However, they too also received one denarius each. They took it, but they began to grumble against the master of the house. “These men who were hired last only worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.”

However, he answered one of them, saying, “Friend, I am not being unjust to you. Did you not agree with me for one denarius? Take what you have earned and go. I wish to give to the man hired last the same as I give to you. Have I not the right to do as I wish with what is mine? Or do you give me an evil look because I am generous? Thus will the last be first and the first will one day be last. “

First February Trinity
February 3, 2013
Matthew 20: 1-16

In the economic sphere, modern thinking often applies a hierarchical standard based on production numbers. And what one is paid is often kept secret.

Amazing that the gospel presents a pay situation of full disclosure. The master contracts with each worker for just enough to support his life for a day. Those working more hours did not earn more. Nor did those who worked fewer earn less. Each simply received the day’s need, for doing as much as they could. The day’s wages are given on the basis of daily need and on human dignity, not on the number of hours worked.

Christ offers this story as a likeness of the kingdom of the heavens, which is a kingdom arising in human hearts. He shows us that expecting more than, more than what others get, more recognition, more praise, more pay than others, is not what we human beings on earth have actually contracted for. For the true being of the economic sphere flourishes in an atmosphere of brotherhood.
 
We have all agreed to work on fields of earth. Our work on earth gives us the opportunity to earn both the integrity of our selfhood, and a healthy relationship to our fellow workers.

In order to develop both, we must avoid comparisons. Some come early to the field, some late. Comparing ourselves with others, and expecting more for ourself is deadly here. It poisons our both integrity and our cooperation. For we have no way of knowing another human being’s true standing. And we have no right to denigrate their contribution to the work.

All we can be sure of is that the Master’s task is urgent—the harvest needs to be brought in. And we need all the workers we can get. It’s not about what is more advantageous to me or even about what appears to be fair. We are working for the Father. The Father will give us what we need for our daily bread. 



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