We All Receive More Than We Deserve
The parable of the landowner and the laborers hired to work in his vineyard is, on one level, about abundance. The landowner had a large enough vineyard that he needed to hire laborers repeatedly throughout the day to get the work done. As evening approached and the men lined up for their pay, the landowner paid all of them a denarius each. A “denarius” was a silver Roman coin used as payment for a full day’s wage. The owner of the vineyard didn’t need to scrimp and save. “Are you envious because I am generous?” he asked those who complained that all had been treated with equal generosity.
The landowner’s actions depict the endlessly loving heart of the Father that poured itself out onto his undeserving creation with the incarnation of his Son, the Word-made-flesh, God-with us. Jesus Christ became our brother, our Savior, our Friend, the Lamb of God, our Eucharistic Lord, generosity without limits. As he one day multiplied the loaves and the fish for a crowd of 5000, Jesus abundantly multiplies the gift of his presence to us in the Eucharist all over the world until the end of history. Generous abundance is a hallmark of the Kingdom. Jesus said: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
Against the backdrop of this image of extravagant magnanimity the parable paints the stinginess and selfish demands of the workers of the first hour. They assumed that they would get more than what had been agreed upon because the landowner was doling out a full day’s wage to those who had come at the last hour and who had clearly done far less work. As these tired laborers watched I can imagine them muttering among themselves that these latecomers were absolutely unworthy to be treated the same as they. The unexpected reversal of the parable is this: no matter how much or little we work, we are all equal recipients of God’s generous abundance, of the gifts of his forgiveness, holiness, mercy, salvation, eternal life.
How many times have I thought that I deserved more than the others because I had given more of my time, energy, and love than they. I have fallen into the trap that the others deserved less because of how little they worked or how selfish they had been. This parable frees us from thinking we need to win God’s endless love. This love is abundant and freely given to us all according to God’s own generous determination. Let us not be upset that others receive what we have been given, but rejoice that others have been gifted, included, loved, and blessed, for we all receive more than we could ever deserve.
Jesus, you surprise me by your love for me and your love for others who I sometimes feel don’t deserve that love. I am amazed at how you keep me in existence through your bounteous mercies, even when my love is so small and stingy compared to yours. Take my heart, O Lord, and make it just like yours. Amen.
— Sr. Kathryn James
Reflection provided by diocesan.com. Reprinted with permission.