Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

The Sunday Gospel [September 18, 2011]

Matthew 20:1-16

1“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ 5So they went off. [And] he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 6Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ 8 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ 9When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.10So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.11And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’13He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15[Or] am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Reflection

“The last will be first, and the first will be last.” ~ Jesus in v. 16

These words can have a number of different meanings. For instance, we look at “first and last” as referring to those who are important in this world and those who are marginal. In heaven, the lowly, the “weak of the world,” will be given the highest place (1 Corinthians 1:27).

But we could also apply these words to the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews were the first one to hear the gospel. On the other hand, many Gentiles accepted Jesus’ message and became disciples. So even though the Gentiles were “last” to receive the gospel, many were among the “first” to enter heaven.

Today’s parable of the laborers in the vineyard gives us another view of this paradox – one that is just compelling as the previous two.

To help us grasp this last view, let’s recall the few lines the last few lines of the previous chapter of Matthew. There, Jesus promises: “Everyone who has given houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more” (Matthew 19:20). So it is clear that the rewards given in heaven will be based, to some degree, on the degree of our service to God.

But then in today’s parable , we get the sense that it doesn’t matter how long you have worked in the “vineyard of the Lord.” Everyone gets the same reward.

Jesus’ point here is that reward is not based on seniority; it is based on grace. The last to enter the kingdom will receive the same amount of grace as the one who arrived first.

Putting these two passages together, we can see that it is a privilege to come early and work for the Lord, but we shouldn’t think that these early birds are special or more beloved by the Lord. Everyone is precious to God, and the delights in giving us a full share in his kingdom and his glory.

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).