Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

My dear friends in Christ,

GOD’S GENEROSITY

Lily towered above her classmates in her achievements. Many couldn’t help being jealous of her predictable A grades and her growing number of certificates and trophies. But they were ashamed of how they felt when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness just as she was beginning university. They had been envious of her good fortune and talent, feeling that in some way it diminished their own efforts. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of the vineyard labourers to teach us something about God’s Kingdom. It also teaches us something about ourselves and the society we live in.

The labourers all received their due from the landlord, who represents God, and yet there was dissent, but no one was treated unfairly. The first workers agreed to the full wage of the day, and they received it. Jesus is saying that everything is a generous gift from God, and teaching us to be thankful for what we have been given.

Complaints are often directed towards God. ‘Why are others healthy, while I am in constant pain?’ ‘Why do others enjoy a more comfortable life than me?’

There are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing, or receives some special recognition or clearly has a special talent. Jesus teaches us not to feel envious for we are not in a race against each other. In God’s eyes the ‘first’ and the ‘last’ are brothers and sisters who stand before God as friends and equals.

Prayer: - Heavenly Father, teach us to be generous as you have been generous to us. Teach us that all we are and have are gifts from you. Show us the joy of generosity, particularly the gift of affirming others. Amen.

Wishing you well for the week.

Fr Brett