This is an incredible parable. Like any good parable, it catches our attention because someone acted unexpectedly. In this case, the vineyard owner gives the same pay to everyone, regardless of how much work that person did. The laborers hired at dawn felt cheated even though they received what was promised when they were hired. Like them, we are inclined to protest, “That’s unfair!”
You might even be thinking this isn’t common sense either. One just doesn’t operate a business that way, paying every employee the same wage, especially if some do nothing more than show up for work before the end of the job shift. To better appreciate where Jesus is coming from, keep in mind that we are made in the image of God, not the other way around. As Isaiah reminds us, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts nor are God’s ways our ways.
With this parable, Jesus is telling his disciples that God has only one reward in store for all who work in the kingdom, whether one has been working all their lives or came aboard at the last moment. The Pharisees were miffed to think that sinners, especially tax collectors and prostitutes, would get the same compensation that they would. Like the laborers who slaved all day, they felt, “That isn’t fair!”
For that matter, how would many life-long Christians feel if they were to meet some scoundrel like Ted Bundy or Adolf Hitler in heaven? I suspect they too would protest, “That isn’t fair!” Faithfully keeping the commandments, being moral and upright in their lifestyles, they might react in the same way the vineyard workers did if they knew that someone after a life of scandal would receive the same gift. After all, why be virtuous, turn the other cheek, say our prayers, conquer our temptations, and keep the commandments if God will smile just as kindly on gang-members, terrorists, and prostitutes?
If that is your gut reaction, then you need to reflect on your baptism and ask yourself, “What did God promise me?”
In baptism we are promised the gift of heaven. For most of us, baptism happened early in life; so like the laborers hired at dawn, we will find ourselves working all day long. Others will be drawn to the Lord later in life, some even on their deathbed. What matters to God is that they accepted an invitation to find salvation in Jesus Christ through the Church. Instead of being envious, we should be glad that another person found God before it was too late.
This is the deal Jesus presents, and those of us who count ourselves among the faithful had better get used to it.
Notorious sinners who come to Christ on their deathbed after living dissolute, immoral lives have as much opportunity to gain eternal paradise as those of us who go to church, follow the rules, and practice virtuous habits. Is this fair? That really does not matter for God never promised us our form of justice. His is a divine justice linked to divine mercy, and for most of us, whether we appreciate it or not, that will prove to be a very good thing.
Divine generosity is a scandal to people, like the Pharisees, who believe that it should only be granted to those who deserve it. But this is where their reasoning falls short. None of us deserve the generosity of God. Salvation is a gift God freely gives to all who accept it. If we think of heaven as something we deserve, then we will resent those who in our judgement do not. It would be arrogant to think that we have earned our way for heaven is God’s gift to us, not a paycheck for what we have done in this lifetime. What we do, however, is a testimony of what we believe.
God didn’t come into our lives for the purpose of hiring us in the manner that our employers did. Remember, the vineyard owner called the protesting laborer a friend, not a servant or brother. Likewise, Jesus comes into our lives as a friend to offer us the gift of salvation, which will be ours if we are in the vineyard come sundown. That is, if we are in a relationship with God at the hour of our death, which could come when we least expect it.
Instead of acting smugly, presuming that heaven is already ours, we should continually seek to be with God. Turn to God now is Isaiah’s message to us because tomorrow maybe too late. Consider the sacrament of reconciliation if you have need of it, for as Isaiah also points out, our God is generous in forgiving. Commit yourself to regular prayer habits, especially if you have been too busy to spend much time in prayer. Forgive anyone who is waiting on your forgiveness. After all, that is the promise you make each time you say the Lord’s Prayer.
As this parable suggests, God’s uncommon sense of generosity, love and forgiveness often strikes us with an extravagance that violates our sense of “fair play.” Rather than be offended by God’s ways, and fume that someone undeserving could possibly be in heaven with you someday, count yourself fortunate that God’s ways wisely puts love ahead of our notion of common sense and fairness. I recall a poem from years ago that says it well: I dreamt death came to me the other night, and heaven’s gate swung wide.
With kindly grace, the angels ushered me inside. And there to my astonishment, stood folks I’d known on earth, some of whom I had judged as being unfit and of little worth. Indignant words rose to my lips but never were set free, for every face showed stunned surprise. Not one expected me!