In Pune, a city in the western part of India where I come from, there’s a scene that reminds me of today’s Gospel. Along certain roads, especially early in the morning, men and women wait to be called for daily manual labour such as construction, farming, cleaning. Some get work right away, some later and some don’t get picked up at all. And the day’s wage they earn will feed their families that night.
That is the image I carry when I hear today’s parable. The landowner goes out again and again, even late in the day, looking for workers, not because he needs more help but because he sees people still waiting. He hires them out of compassion because he knows their need.
And yet, those who were hired first grumble. It seems unfair. Why should someone who worked only one hour get the same wage? But the landowner, who represents God, does not just see hours worked. He sees human need. He sees the waiting, the hope, and the hunger.
God’s justice is not like our justice. We often calculate who deserves what. God looks at us with mercy. He wants everyone to be brought in, to be saved, to be fed, whether they came early or late, whether they were strong from the start or struggled along the way.
The workers who came last were not lazy. They just did not get a chance earlier. And sometimes, our jealousy or sense of fairness blinds us to the goodness we have already received.
The grace I feel we can pray for today is this: to know God’s generous and compassionate heart more deeply, so that we do not judge others or envy their blessings but instead rejoice that we are all part of one family, held in the love of a God whose justice is mercy.
Rev. Anish Kochanichottil, SJ
My name is Anish Kochanichottil. I am a Jesuit from India, currently residing at the Jerome Nadal Jesuit Residence while pursuing my MBA from Creighton University. Before coming to the USA, I was involved in school education for over a decade. My academic background includes a doctorate in education, with research focused on Critical Pedagogy and Missionary Education. I am truly excited to be part of the online ministry’s daily reflections and to share my insights.
