“Not fair!”

The day laborers who were hired at dawn and had worked the whole day through were not happy that those who were hired at the end of the day made the same amount as them and only worked for about an hour. Upon a first reading, we may feel the same. If so, the landowner is speaking to us as well as those dawn laborers:

“My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous” (Matthew 20:13-15)?

The landowner fulfilled his agreement with each of the laborers that agreed to work with him for the day. He was not shortchanging those laborers that were complaining, he was generous with them as well all as all who worked for him that day.

The challenge for them and for is our perspective. Are we focusing on comparing ourselves to others, to what we don’t have, on what we would like to have but it hasn’t happened yet, or are we grateful for what we do have? The more we compare and dwell on what we don’t have, the more we will be tempted to grumble, feel down, and slip into a place of desolation. The enemy is quite happy for us to go there.

The more we take a pause and think about what and who we are grateful for and then thank God, we will experience more appreciation, peace, and joy. Most of us fluctuate between the two. When we make time each day to think about what we are grateful for and how much God provides for us, we will not only feel better, we will begin to see more of what God has been doing for us all along that we have taken for granted or may not even have noticed.

It is important that we realize how much God loves and cares for us and that his love is not just for a select few. He is reaching out and inviting us all to breathe, receive, rest, and abide in his love. We decide to accept his gift or not. He is generously offering his love and inviting us to be in relationship with him now. We are not to begrudge others who say yes and experience his closeness but be grateful for them. As we experience his love, we are not to keep it locked up for ourselves but share our experiences with others.

On this priesthood Sunday, may we also take time to be grateful for the dedication and service of our priests. They have said yes to God’s call and serve to bring his Son to us through the sacraments, especially, making Jesus present again on the altar. Each serve in their unique way and express their charism to shepherd us through the challenges of this life and ultimately guide us to our true home in heaven.

Photo: Thank you, Fr. Don, for leading JoAnn and me back to the Church, convalidating our marriage, celebrating JoAnn’s funeral Mass, leading me to the diaconate, now hopefully on the way to priesthood in May, and all you have done and continue to do for St. Peter Catholic Church in Jupiter!

Link for the Mass readings for Sunday, September 24, 2023