.jpg)
The parable of the labourers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) is found only in the gospel of Matthew. Jesus is focused on teaching his disciples, trying to help them understand new and different values of the “kingdom of heaven”. This parable, seemingly addressed to the disciples, underlines the paradoxical nature of the values of the kingdom of heaven and has been described as an extension of the answer to Peter’s question about what reward they will get after giving up everything to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:27). Commentaries have made use of allegorical interpretations extensively, particularly in regards to the meanings associated with terms and concepts such as the vineyard, the denarius, the particular hours of the day when the labourers are hired and the reverse order of when they are paid.
.jpg)
It might seem reasonable to us today that the workers think it unfair to give the same amount of money to all the labourers regardless of the amount of time they work, as we are conditioned to that type of reward for effort in the workplace, fair work policies, trade unions etc. During that time, however, the employer was master of his money and could do what he liked. The employer insists on his right to be generous. Giving to one takes nothing away from the other. The workers are challenged not for being dissatisfied for what they received, but for being dissatisfied that others receive as much. Like other parables, there are several layers of meaning. Some commentaries portray it as comparing Jews and Gentiles in the “kingdom”, e.g. Gentiles are admitted late but are admitted on equal standing with the Jews. Some comparisons are made to the situation where people turn to God late in life or just on their death bed as opposed to life-long followers of Jesus, all entering eternal life on an equal basis. The whole point is that eternal relationship with God cannot be earned, but it can be received as a gift.
The thing that strikes me about this reading is the understanding that God loves each of us the same. This can be hard to accept at times. I remember as a little girl attending a Catholic convent school wondering about how good someone had to be to “get into heaven”. What was the measure? My imagination was vivid as I visualised being “saintly”, something I never achieved!
.png)
Fortunately, as I matured over the years I came to a different understanding about “heaven” and God’s deep love and desire for relationship with each of us. God is already in each of us, a part of us at the centre of our being, whether we are aware of it or not. God is our life source. God is waiting, patiently with an invitation. We just need to turn, turn inwards, deeper and deeper, also with a longing for that union. The more we long for it the closer we get to it. The thing is… God’s love and longing is being poured forth in the same way for each person. God loves everyone the same. It doesn’t matter if we are young or old, middle-aged or a teenager. God’s love is not dependent on the way we live our lives. The love is always there abundantly, mercifully. It is our response to that invitational love that determines our closeness to God, our “heaven”. We each decide our own response. God’s love is generous, compassionate, unconditional, immeasurable and always present for each of us. We just need to turn towards God, not away from God. We just need to live the life that Jesus continually teaches us. God does not have favourites. God’s love is there for everyone “the same.”
How grateful can we be for this?
.jpg)
