“The kingdom of God is like a
master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for
his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a day’s wage, he sent
them out to work. He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing
idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and
whatever is right I will pay you.’ So they went their way. Again he went out
about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. About the eleventh hour
he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand
here all day without working?’
“They said to him, ‘Because no
one has hired us.’
“He said to them, ‘You also go
into the vineyard, and you will be paid what is right.’ When evening had come,
the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them
their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’
“When those who were hired at
about the eleventh hour came, they each received a full day’s wage. When the
first came, they supposed that they would receive more, but they received the
same. They murmured against the master of the household, saying, ‘These last
have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the
burden of the day and the scorching heat!’
“But he answered them, ‘Friends,
I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a day’s wage? Take that
which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to these just as much
as to you. Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is
your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first
last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Reflection
The grace of God is not an
easy matter for us to grasp. Those who rejoice at being loved unconditionally
themselves often become angry when others are shown grace. People who heard
this story in Jesus’ day probably didn’t like it any better than people today.
How do you react when some are given better than they deserve? Do you find it
difficult to show grace to others?
Prayer: Show me a gracious
way to celebrate the blessings of others, Lord, whenever I become envious.
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