Resentment and the generosity of God

In today’s Gospel (Mt. 20:1-16) we have the familiar parable of day laborers being hired at different times during the day, but all receiving the same daily wage (a reminder for us to pray for day laborers and for others who struggle for work.)

On one level, the parable symbolizes a resentment that long-faithful people sometimes have toward the newly converted: they haven’t paid their dues; they don’t deserve what we’ve earned by our years of faithfulness.

The truth is that when it comes to salvation, what we receive is far, far above what we could ever hope to earn – not even in a thousand lifetimes. The differences between what the always-faithful people have done and what newly-converted have done are laughingly inconsequential in comparison to the infinite grace given to us in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The more we are filled with the grace and the love of God, the more we will recognize that the salvation of 'latecomers' actually increases our joy and cause for celebration.

Meanwhile, we need to pray: pray for ourselves, that we may be more filled with that grace, love, and joy; pray for those we resent, that they may share in our joy; pray for all those who have not yet come fully into the faith and life of Christ; pray to our God and Father, who is rich in generosity and mercy.