Bible text: “Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I now allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?” Matthew 20.1-16
There is a difference between justice and charity. While justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbour, on the other hand, charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God.” In the parable, these labourers who had worked in the vineyard for more than eight hours think that they will receive more than those who had just worked for few hours to which their dismay received the same wages as others did. They demanded justice. What the master did in the parable is charity. He is just happy to give as much as He wanted. Charity has no boundaries. It is unlimited. It is not confound in the limits of the law.
The vineyard that was mentioned in the gospel is the field of holiness. Everybody is called to become holy which we call the universal call to holiness. It is all about consecrating all our works and our entire life to the Lord. Holiness includes worshiping God either by personal prayer or public prayer. It is also about our commitment to be involved in the different ministries of the parish. It also consists in our passion to help the helpless. It also covers bringing Jesus in our workplaces when we offer our work or job for the Lord. Everybody is invited to share and work in the vineyard of the Lord. The vineyard’s goal is for our personal development and for the progress of humanity.
When we dedicate everything for the Lord we do not demand so much justice which means focusing on what we can recieve. We do not always expect to be appreciated. Appreciated or not, we will continue doing and giving our best because it is what makes us happy. God wants us to be happy in what we are doing for the Lord. Exhausted? Yes, it is normal for us human beings but it is superseded by joy in our hearts. Felt being frustrated? Again, it is normal because we wanted to achieve highly but we are being consoled with the promise of Jesus that there is life after death.
Working in the Lord’s vineyard is all about hoping to experience the love of God. We have to be like little children, a worry free life because we are in the home of the Father. He is assuring us of His providential care to those who are willing to participate in God’s vineyard.