First Reading - Ezekiel 34:1-11
Gospel - Matthew 20:1-16
In the first reading Ezekiel criticizes the shephers of Israel for their selfish attitude. The image of a shepherd has been used for rulers. The prophet Ezekiel demonstrates the miserable condition of the sheep which also gives the impression of their being helpless, puzzled and needing direction and care. On seeing pitiful condition of the sheep and selfish attitude of rulers, God shows pity on His sheep and conveys the message to the rulers through the prophet that hereafter it He (Lord) who will take care of His people as the Shepherd and the selfish rulers will be liable to judgement for their irresponsibility.
The gospel ellaborates the merciful nature of God through the parable of the generous landowner. This parable is a depiction of a merciful face of God towards His people. The landowner goes out at different hours of the day and hires some workers for his vineyard. The different hours of the day include 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. At the close of the day, the landowner gives equal wage to all (1 dinarii which was the wage of a daily worker) and that sparks murmuring among those who came early. However, the landowner asserts his generosity and authority to do so. He certainly deserves hats-off for his generosity. It's important to note that the landowner sees the necessity of every person even the ones who came late and generously gives due of their wages. Through this parable Jesus shows God's merciful or generous love for all. The love of God is superfluous and abounding. He understands the need of us and cares for us equally without partiality.
Dear friends, we can't deny this that we all are selfish. We want - my wish to be fulfilled and my expectations to be met. The first reading narrates this nature of ours through the character of the shepherds; they cared for themselves more than the people. We also tend to care for ourselves more than others; sometimes even at the cost of others. This is a selfish attitude. The same selfish attitude is displayed in the gospel by the labourers who came early. They didn't think that those who came late also have their needs and requirements. The equal wage enraged them because they wanted more for themselves. Once again, a scene of selfish attitude. Jesus teaches us today that selfish attitude is confined to the world but the virtue of generosity surpasses the physical world. The kingdom of heaven is compared with the 'generous landowner' which also means they are our virtues like generosity, love, kindness, sensitivity etc. rule the reign of God. Hence, to be the part of this reign of God, we have to be steeped in these virtues.
The parable tells us that God is generous and sensitive to our needs. He knows us through and through and gives us whatever is required for us. The landowner gives everyone according to their requirements. This is the nature of God who gives everything that is required for us at the given time. It's our attitude, like the labourers who demanded more from the landowner when they compared their wages with others, to demand more and more when we compare ourselves with others. We too forget that whatever grace we have is enough for now but, when it's required, God will certainly give them as well out of His generosity.
The gospel also implicitly conveys the message that where generosity, love, kindness, sensitivity etc. exist, God's reign also come about there. St. Paul in his letter to Romans 14:17 says "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (it refers to our selfish craving for material things), but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (It refers to the virtues). Let's permeate the virtues in our midst and God's kingdom will come among us. Let's become generous, sensitive, and kind to one another. In fact, they our expressions of love for our fellow brothers and sisters.
Let's allow God to reign in our lives and radiate His love through our lives.
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