Gospel for Sunday, September 20: Matthew 20: 1-16
XXV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
1“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire workers for his vineyard. 2He agreed with them for a denarius a day and sent them into his vineyard. 3Then going out around nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the square, unemployed, 4and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard; I will give you what is right.” 5And they went. She went out again about noon, and about three, and did the same. 6Going out again around five o’clock, he saw others standing there and said to them: “Why do you stand here all day doing nothing?” 7They replied: “Because no one has hired us.” And he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8When it was evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his farmer: “Call the workers and give them their wages, starting from the last to the first.” 9When those of five in the afternoon came, they each received a denarius. 10When the first ones arrived, they thought they would receive more. But they also each received a denarius. 11When they took it back, however, they murmured against the master 12saying: “These last ones worked only one hour and you treated them like us, who bore the burden of the day and the heat.” 13But the master, answering one of them, said: “Friend, I do you no wrong. Have you not agreed with me for a denarius? 14Take yours and leave. But I also want to give to the latter as much as to you: 15I can’t do what I want with my things? Or are you jealous because I’m good?”. 16Thus the last will be first and the first last”.
Mt 20: 1-16
Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Misericordie, I am Carlo Miglietta, doctor, biblical scholar, layman, husband, father and grandfather (www.buonabibbiaatutti.it).
Also today I share with you a short meditation thought on the Gospel, with special reference to the theme of mercy.
Jesus message often contrasts sharply with current legal principles.
One of the most disconcerting parables is that of the workers called to work in the vineyard, some of whom worked twelve hours, others six, others three, others only one hour: “When it was evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his farmer: « He calls the workers and gives them their pay, starting from the last to the first.” When those of five in the afternoon came, they each received a denarius. When the first ones arrived, they thought they would receive more. But they also received a denarius each. However, when they collected it, they murmured against the master, saying: «These last ones worked only for an hour and you treated them like us, who bore the burden of the day and the heat»” (Mt 20,1-12).
The early workers grumble saying: “You treated them like us” (Mt 20.14): literally: “Hìsous emìn… epòiesas”, “You made them equal to us”. What they don’t like is that God treats everyone with equality, and not according to rules of meritocracy.
“But the master, answering one of them, said: «Friend, I do you no wrong. Have you not agreed with me for a denarius? Take yours and go; but I also want to give to the latter as much as to you. Can’t I do with my things what I want? Or are you envious because I am good?” (Mt 20:13-16).
“The fact that the master starts with the last seems strange. The fact that he then gives the same pay to everyone (not taking into account everyone’s working hours) also seems unfair. It was logical that the first-time workers thought – and hoped – to receive a higher pay. But no! The first reaction, not only of the workers in the parable, but also of ours, is evident: that boss was unjust” (R. Reviglio), and had anti-union behaviour!
God is an “unjust” judge according to human criteria, because he rewards with the same salary both those who worked twelve hours in the vineyard and those who worked only one hour. But the central point is what God says about himself: “I am good” (Mt 20.15): a goodness that surpasses all human justice. “He treats Jews and pagans, the righteous and sinners of all times and origins with equal kindness. Magnanimous with everyone, he is particularly so with men in the street, publicans, prostitutes, the most needy people… The old alliance, based on law and justice, reserved for the Jews, is replaced by the new one, founded exclusively on grace and open without distinction to all” (O. da Spinetoli).
“This text tells us about an unjust and loving God who treats each of us individually. God made us each differently. God knows us individually, better than we know ourselves. Everyone responds to God at different times, in different circumstances, in different ways… Our God is supremely “unjust”…; an “unjust” God never tires of faithfully coming in search of us, of treating us one by one differently, and of always rewarding those who serve him with the Kingdom of heaven” (P. Castellina).
The parable then tells us that the Kingdom of God is not a prize competition in which whoever has the most points gets the best gifts. The final prize will be living with the Lord: it is not a question of “front rows” or “last places”. The passage ends with a peremptory statement: “So the last will be first, and the first last” (Mt 20:16). God “wants everyone to be first… God intends to meet man, every man, just or sinner, freely… And it is when he in turn enters this space that man can say he knows, in some way, God” (B. Maggioni). As the Fathers said: “The Lord is generous, he welcomes the last as the first, he grants rest to those who have reached the eleventh hour as to those who have worked since the first. He shows mercy to the last and serves the first.”
May we also know how to always act towards our brothers with the same mercy as God!
Happy Mercy to all!
Anyone who would like to read a more complete exegesis of the text, or some insights, please ask me at migliettacarlo@gmail.com.