Contemplation

This is the 25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time A and in this reading, Jesus explains to his disciples that God’s ways are not our ways since we think using human standards. So let us enter the scene as we listen to Jesus telling us what God’s justice and righteousness is like compared with ours.

• Who are you in the scene? One of the disciples? A passer-by? Someone eavesdropping into the conversation between Jesus and his disciples? Someone who is not mentioned in the passage?
• Where is this conversation taking place? In the open air? If so are there many people around? Or are you sitting indoors around a table, just you disciples and Jesus, perhaps eating a meal?
• Notice what is going on around you. Notice the expressions on the faces of those listening. What about the expression on Jesus’ face as he talks to you? What is the general mood like?
• Who do you relate to in this parable as Jesus tells you about what the Kingdom of heaven is like? Those disgruntles workers who have toiled all day? The grateful latecomers? The generous landowner?
• Put yourself in the parable and picture the town square at daybreak. Imagine the cool early morning air as the sun begins to rise. Listen to the murmur of the crowd and notice men talking anxiously about needing work to feed their families.
• Watch as the landowner approaches. He looks at you. What does his voice sound like when he says, “You too go into my vineyard”?
• If you were picked early, feel the physical toll of the day. The blazing midday sun, the heavy baskets of grapes, the sweat pouring down your face.
• If you were picked at the 11th hour, feel the profound relief of finally being chosen just as the day is almost over.
• If you were an early worker, how do you feel when evening comes and the late arrivals get paid the same as you? Do you feel resentful?
• If you are the late hour worker imagine the shock and immense relief and gratitude when you receive a full day’s pay for just one hour of work.
• If you are a bystander, watch the pay being distributes at sunset, and hear the sharp complaints against the generous master of those who were first-hired.
• Watch the landowner as he addresses the complaints. He looks right at you. He asks, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” How do those words resonate with you?
• Does the landowner’s words and actions challenge you? Do you think that he should have paid all the workers the same wage? In your mind should those who did less work have received less money than those who had been working all day? Would you have complained if you had been working all day through the midday sun and received the same wage as those who arrived late?
• Do you think the needs of the latecomers were any different from the needs of those who started work early? That Jesus is trying to tell us that God’s love, generosity and justice is distributed to us abundantly and equally and not according to any equation? Do you have preconceived notions as to how justice and fairness should be distributed?
• Listen to Jesus as he tries to explain to us that God’s interpretation of justice and fairness is different to ours.

Let us now spend 10 minutes in the company of Jesus. Talk to him about your own struggles with comparison, envy, or feeling like you have to earn your worth. Tell Jesus about the times you’ve felt unrecognised, or when life felt deeply unfair. Also tell him of the times you have been grateful for the small mercies you have received. Listen to what Jesus wants to say back to you.