Homily: September 24, 2023 Twenty fifth Sunday in Ordinary time (Vineyard owner).

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 "Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Today it is so wonderful for us to be reflecting on the Gospel passage of the vineyard owner and his laborers, in the midst of the beautiful Iowa farmlands, in this Hmong Lao community center.

Hiring workers in the marketplace may seem odd in American culture, but in the olden days and even in many countries now, this scene described by Jesus is quite common. Like in certain states in India I have visited, poor daily-wage workers would stand around in the marketplace in the morning, waiting for landlords who need workers for that day to arrive and select the workers they need. They would often choose the healthy and strong workers of course. Those not selected will get work and will not have any money or food to bring home that day.

Is that fair?

I too have personally experienced something similar. When I was a seminarian doing my theology studies in Rome, I would usually travel to Germany during the vacation to find work. During one vacation, I worked in a car factory in Munich. I was assigned to the group working on the drainage system, which involved cleaning up paint, oil, and grease waste.

On my first day of work, the group director lined us up according to our physique, from the bigger build to the smaller ones. In comparison to others at that time, I was rather thin and small in stature. The big guys were given heavy hammers, while the smaller sized guys were each given a small chisel to scrape the paint and waste stuck in the drainage tunnel.

The chisel work was an easy job. Apparently, working with the heavy hammer was hard work. Those workers suffered back pain and sore hands. Yet, at the end of the day, all of us received the same wage.

Is that fair?

When we hear Jesus’ parable, we might feel the same way – that the landowner was not being fair. Those laborers who got employed earlier worked longer hours, enduring the scorching sun and its heat, while those who went later, worked much shorter hours, they should be getting less pay. It is logical, right?

If we analyze this based on the world’s logic of meritocracy, then surely it is unfair to be paid the same wage for unequal work done. That is the mentality of the world.

But Jesus is speaking about the Kingdom of Heaven here. To understand this we should consider God’s logic and mentality.

In the Kingdom of Heaven, we are neither workers nor servants; we are children of a loving Father. The kingdom we are called to build together is not just God’s kingdom, it is also our home.

Our loving God invites all of us to labor in His vineyard, in preparation for the glory that awaits us in heaven. It is not just our duty, it is also a privilege to be called, to have a part in working for God’s vineyard.

Whether we are ahead and experienced laborers, or new and fresh converts, or even those who might join the church only at a much later stage of their lives, God treats everyone the same. God loves everyone equally. God will not discriminate against those who come last. He wants everyone to enter His kingdom.

In the first reading, we heard, "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts." Indeed, God's thoughts and ways are above ours. We are petty fools counting every cost and measuring every weight, but God is generous, He chooses to give everyone His all. We are the ones who have chosen to receive less, by our lack of faith, lack of fervor, lack of trust.

At every Mass, Jesus gives the fullness of Himself - His body, blood, soul, and divinity in the holy Eucharist. When God gives, He gives all. Everyone of us receives the same Jesus in holy communion, whether we are newcomers to the church or long serving Catholics.

Is that fair?

No. God is not fair. God is generous. He gives not what we are worthy of, which is nothing. Instead, He gives what He wants us to receive, which is everything. 

So let us not look with envy what others are getting, but let us look with gratitude what we have been given and will continue to receive - grace, mercy, love. Be joyful and give thanks, for we have a generous and loving God. Amen.


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