Sep 20, 2020 - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Is 55:6-9; Phil 1:20C-24,27A; Mt 20:1-16A)

Is it a sense of justice or is it envy? In today's Gospel the workers hired in the morning and at noon had their sense of justice challenged when they thought they should be paid more than those who worked only the last hour of the day. But in truth, they were envious of the generosity of the landowner who decided to pay a full day's wages to those who worked for only one hour. In the parable, Jesus used the landowner to represent God. The extra wages paid to the short-time workers represents God's abundant blessings on those who did nothing to deserve them. It might appear unjust that they receive these blessings, but the error in that thinking is explained by Isaiah in the first reading when he says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” This beautiful chapter of Isaiah also contains the invitation to “Come to the Water”. This chapter contains a challenge, but also abundant hope, which is needed today as much as in Isaiah's time.

St. Paul also offers us hope in today's second reading. Although he is speaking of his own life and death, his words can apply to our own life and death, too. He contemplates the benefits of continuing to live in the world as well as the benefits of leaving this world for life with Christ. His words can be taken as an invitation to make the most of the time we have in the world, but not to fear when that time comes to an end.

• Are you disturbed that the landowner doesn't abide by a usual exchange economy agreement – whereby a laborer knows what he will get in exchange for the work he does? What does your reaction show you about your own underlying view of Judgment Day?
• Do you see yourself as one of “the first” or one of “the last” in today's Gospel? Consider how your answer relates to your personal view of economic justice and spiritual justice.
• Today's parable looks at the reaction of those who worked the whole day. But what sort of reactions (both good and bad) can you imagine for those who worked only one hour and got paid a full day's wages. What should our attitude be when we receive blessings we did not deserve?
• If you are preparing for your retirement years, do you also spend time preparing for your life in the hereafter?