The usual daily wage

Jesus has a way of shocking people out of their smugness in thinking what is fair, what is due to them.

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The religious leaders and elders of Israel are scandalized at his association with tax collectors and sinners, when he should prefer the company of those who follow the Law of Moses.

In today’s parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, he tells of the laborers who worked early and who grumble why those who worked late receive the same wage. This is so unfair. They should have been paid more. Jesus is not telling us that God is not generous with his reward by not giving more.

REFLECTIONS TODAY

In fact, God goes beyond our sense of justice or fairness. He gives graces in superabundant measure. He gives eternal life. Now, eternal life is not fair; it is a gift of God’s grace. If eternal life were “fair” (that is, a payment to men, based upon the quality and quantity of their good works), no one would ever go to heaven.