September 18, 2011
25th Sunday Ordinary Time
It is important for us to learn the context and customs surrounding readings in the Bible. If not, we may misunderstand the message and its application in our lives today. A good example is the parable of Jesus about an owner of a vineyard and day workers. We are likely to identify with the laborers who complain that since they worked longer they deserve more than the agreed daily wage. The daily wage was sufficient to pay for food for one's family. We can misread the intent of Jesus by bringing into the story our contemporary concerns about just wages and benefits. Consider the context of Matthew's Gospel. Some pharisees and scribes are complaining about Jesus associating with public sinners and outcasts. The original point of Jesus' parable is directed to those who object to his inclusion of sinners when he announces the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus takes to heart the words of Isaiah who pleads to the wicked to forsake their ways and to seek God's mercy. Some of us would murmur too against Jesus associating with sinners. How do we deal with embezzlers; those who harm children; those who break vows of fidelity; those who provide drugs to teens or provide/support abortions; those who injure or murder a loved one? There must be justice and judgment but do we just forsake persons responsible for evil? St. Paul severely persecuted "followers of the way" with murderous threats before he found life in Christ. In God, mercy and justice meet. For us it is more difficult to balance the two. Parents will rightly say to their sons and daughters to avoid bad company. We pray for sinners for their sake but also for our own. Entering into the parable of Jesus we can imagine standing inline waiting for what God will say/give to us. As we wait, will we come to a deeper awareness of how our lives have helped or harmed others? By extending God's mercy to others by forgiveness now, can we better hope to enjoy God's mercy ourselves in the Kingdom to come?
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24th Sunday Ordinary Time
