Today’s gospel is about the vineyard owner and the workers. At the start of the day, the owner hires workers at an agreed upon wage. As the day goes on he hires additional workers. Keep in mind, the workers are all laboring through the daytime hours under a hot sun. It’s hard work!
At the end of the day, the vineyard owner gathers the workers to pay them. He begins with those who were hired last. All of the workers receive the same amount of compensation. Can you imagine the anger and disappointment that those who started early in the morning and worked all day must have felt?
As I reflect on today’s gospel, I thought about all the times through life that we ‘keep score’. I know of people who keep a running tab when Christmas shopping to make sure that the amount spent for each of their children is equal. How many times have you been in a conversation that consists of what people had or didn’t have when growing up? We seem to spend a lot of time keeping track of things and making sure everything is fair.
All the years of listening to this parable, I may be finally hearing the message!
God is incredibly loving and generous. He doesn’t keep track of who does what or for how long. If one believes in God, his love is unconditional and boundless. Another story that seems to be full of unfairness is that of the Prodigal son. The son who didn’t follow the rules and left the family seemed to be rewarded when he finally decided to return. This was another example of God’s unconditional love—no matter what.
Are there other examples throughout the Gospels that illustrate God’s boundless love even when it may not seem fair? How much time do you spend keeping track of things, making sure that all things are equal—and missing a bigger meaning in the process?
Take some time to reflect and be patient with yourself. It’s taken me many, many years to finally hear the message of today’s gospel. I hope it doesn’t take you nearly as long.
Angela Maynard
I worked at Creighton from 2008-2022. I had a wonderful time managing the student health center until it was outsourced to CHI in 2019. After that I played a key role in the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The best part of my work was that I had the privilege to walk with students as they managed health issues during their time as a Creighton student. I cannot articulate the joy these relationships brought.
I know God is always with me and I’m always on the lookout for the signs he sends my way to reassure me of His love and presence. I look forward to the opportunity to participate in the ministry of Daily Reflections. Intentional reflection time has helped me keep God as my center as I really try to live the Gospel. This is a wonderful opportunity for me. I pray the Holy Spirit guides me in my reflecting.
