Year A, seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 24, 2023
Year A: Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 20:1-16
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If taken literally, the Parable of the Vineyard as it’s known in Matthew’s gospel, is quite likely to raise the hackles of any businessperson or employee, whether in the corporate or not-for-profit world. In fact, it challenges our modern-day conceptions of labor equity and compensation, subverting conventional notions of what is proportional, deserving, and just. The story confronts our innate sense of fairness, urging us to question our values and to reflect on the broader themes of grace, generosity, and divine justice.
How often do we equate fairness with equal compensation? Many of us understand harvests. Grape harvests are either happening right now or have happened. We know that time is of the essence – ripe grapes need to be harvested before they start to dry out or fall off the vine. It’s very labor-intensive work. For handpicking grapes, 10-12 hours wouldn’t be unusual. Then comes the time to be paid. That’s when it gets interesting – the person next to me who rolled in an hour ago just received the same wage I got for my 12 hours. What?
That would stir feelings of injustice in most of us. You can best be sure that the people who worked all day are upset. They worked harder, they worked longer, they deserved more.
I’m sure those who worked longer and harder were quick to conclude that the landowner was being unfair. It goes against our sensibilities or what is just and fair because our lives are very connected to what we believe we are worth, what our work is worth, and how we are to be valued. That’s the world we live in – where our value and worth are closely connected to a monetary value.
Many of us typically judge worth by quantifiable standards and achievements. But, what if there is a different metric to measure worth? At first glance, our human understanding of fairness is surely challenged. But this parable isn’t just about labor and wages; it’s a reflection of the nature of God’s grace. The landowner, symbolizing God, responds: “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” Is it possible that our limited understanding of generosity can be expanded?”
Those who were hired in the morning had an agreement with the landowner about their wages. However, those who were hired later simply trusted the landowner to give them what was right. In both scenarios, the landowner’s generosity shone through.
God’s grace isn’t something we earn by clocking in hours of good deeds or religious observances. Instead, it’s a gift freely given. Paul writes in Ephesians, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” It’s not about how long we’ve believed or how hard we’ve worked; it’s about God’s love and generosity.
This morning’s parable reminds us that in the kingdom of God, there is no entitlement. The value of who we are is implicit in God’s love for us, that love as I said is given freely and humbly.
One thing I’ll say for sure about the parables that Jesus tells. If he tried to use them in a college econ class, I’m pretty sure he would fail because the economics of God and the kingdom are nothing like the economics we study. And thank God for that. Because what Jesus is saying is that in the economy of God, in the kingdom of God, there is no distinction for God for people who think they’re more worthy than others. God’s love is given freely. All of us need love. All of us are worthy of love.
This parable also reminds us that God’s grace is without boundaries. Just as the landowner went out multiple times to hire workers, God continually reaches out to us, regardless of our past or how late we come to God.
In our human experience, it’s easy to think of those who have been faithful longer or worked harder as having a better standing with God. We’ve served on vestry, sang in choir, helped with Vacation Bible School, been there for all the feast days and holy days.
But God’s grace doesn’t work that way. Whether we’ve known God for decades or just a day, God’s love for us remains unchanging and boundless. God’s arms are always open, welcoming all with the same embrace.
This kind of generosity is not something easily understood because our human nature is to anticipate a quid pro quo situation; we do something, we get something in return and in proportion to what we have done. We tend to relegate generosity, even worthiness, to accountability – to measurability.
This parable is a reminder of the absolute gift of generosity that does not demand response, that does not account for reciprocity, that does not need to be, indeed cannot be, measured.
Perhaps even more challenging is that this parable calls us to recognize that God’s grace is never narrow-minded. When we see others receive the same blessing as us, despite their different paths and choices, it’s easy to feel slighted. But God’s perspective is broader than ours. God challenges us to celebrate God’s generosity rather than compare or begrudge. God’s generosity, grace, and love are a reminder to shift our perspective from narrow-mindedness to one of abundant love and inclusivity.
So, what does this mean for us?
In this intricate place we call life, where fairness and justice, or the perceived sense of fairness and justice, often seem to take the front seat, the Parable of the Vineyard gently redirects our gaze towards unbounded grace, a force that does not discriminate or measure worth by human standards. God’s love is an ever-pervading, free gift, not tethered to our deeds or the time we’ve spent in devotion.
It’s crucial for us to understand that our human metrics—of fairness, of justice, of worth—are not the yardstick by which God’s love operates. This parable isn’t just a story; it’s a reminder, a nudge to expand our horizons and embrace a perspective that celebrates God’s boundless generosity rather than focusing on human-made scales of equity.
Our liturgy, our sacraments, and our very way of worship are profound manifestations of this divine grace. The Book of Common Prayer, which guides our worship and devotion, is a continuous testament to a God whose mercy knows no bounds and whose love remains steadfast. Every time we partake in the Holy Eucharist, it serves as a tangible testament to this infinite love and mercy.
To truly embody God’s grace in our daily lives means to practice unwavering love, forgiveness, and compassion, even when our innate sense of justice feels challenged. As recipients of such unparalleled love and grace, our call is clear: to mirror that same boundless generosity in our interactions with the world around us, fostering an environment of understanding and compassion.
As we move forward, may we continuously strive to reflect not just the lessons of this parable, but the essence of God’s unending love, ensuring that our actions and beliefs align with the boundless grace that has been so freely given to us.