Remember the days when we would stand in line, sometimes even camp overnight, so we could buy tickets to attend a concert or athletic event that was sure to sell out? And then, just when the ticket office opened, a few people would appear out of nowhere and walk ahead of you to join their friends in line? That brash move often resulted in loud jeers of, “Hey, no cutting! Go to the back of the line!”

Today’s Gospel is very similar. Here are workers who have toiled all day in the hot sun, and they receive the same wage as the workers who showed up an hour before quitting time. Those who worked all day are quick to call ‘foul’, ‘not fair’, ‘this is an injustice’ at seeing someone who worked one tenth of the time they worked, be paid the same.

Matthew says it best when he says, What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?

It is easy to make the transition from tangible wages--to the great intangible we all seek--God’s forgiveness for our multitude of sins. For this is what Matthew is really telling us: Our generous God is going to accept into Heaven the sinners who repent at the 11th hour, much like the criminal crucified next to Jesus, just the same as the parishioners who attend daily Mass, lead the Rosary before Mass, tithe to the Church, love their neighbor and every night get down on their knees and ask God to forgive their sins.

So what are good Christians to do? Wait until we are about to die and then say, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom, in hopes of Jesus replying, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Choosing the path of the “foxhole Christian” might work but look at what we would be missing.
Think back on all the joy we have experienced in our lives because we have a relationship with Christ. A relationship that goes back to our baptism, our First Communion and Confirmation. Growing deeper and more meaningful with each step.

Think of all we would have missed, had we waited until the end to accept Christ and ask for his forgiveness. Imagine the grandparent who, while on their deathbed, sees their adult grandchildren for the first time. Think of all the joy and love they missed because they delayed having a personal relationship with them.
Having a lifelong relationship with Christ guides us in our daily lives. What type of people would we be, if our lives were not built around the Ten Commandments and the duty to love our neighbors as ourselves? Would we, too, end up like the thief on the cross?

As one commentator said, If you don’t want anything to do with Christ right now, why do you want to spend eternity with Him?