Another parable, which is peculiar to Matthew (20:1-16), is read today. Though bracketed by the saying of Jesus on the reversal of fortune in the reign of God (19:30 and 20:16), in itself it may be referring to the equality of everyone to be admitted into the kingdom of God and the reward of inheriting eternal life.
The parable contains two major parts: the hiring of the workers (20:1-7), and the paying of the workers (20:8-15). In the first part (20:1-7) the landowner goes out to hire laborers for his vineyard. He meets with and hires five different groups throughout the day: at dawn (vv1-2), at the third hour (9 am, vv3-4), the sixth and ninth hours (noon and 3 pm, v5), and the eleventh hour, 6 pm, 20:6-7). The second part (vv8-15) takes place at the vineyard. It consists of the payment (vv8-10), the protest by the first workers hired (vv11-12), and the response by the owner(vv13-15).
The owner’s defense of his action used the word “adikeō” (ἀδικἑω) and it is rendered as, “not cheating”, or literally, “not treating unjustly or being unfair, and doing no wrong”. He commits no injustice, indeed (vv4, 13)! That all the workers receive the same wage is due only to his kindness or generosity, (literally, he is good v16), to the latest arrivals. Thus, in his rhetorical question to the first group he hinted at their “opthalmos poneros” ὀφθαλμός πονηρός, (literally, “evil eye” v15, evil as basically opposed to good). It is understood as being envious or jealous (cf Mk 7.22). It is from envy where the resentment of the first group comes from. Furthermore, the parable defends Jesus’ special concern for the marginal in Jewish society (”tax collectors and sinners” Mt 11:19). A recurring complaint against his ministry was his association with disreputable people, an association that he never denied, for he “came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mt 9:13). The point is that in the kingdom, the blessings and rewards are received out of the goodness and love of God and not based on merit or entitlement nor length of service. In the kingdom, there is no room for envy or greed.
With its vineyard and harvest symbolism, the parable is concerned as well with the last judgment. The grumbling is focused on why the latecomers receive the same reward as those who came earlier to work. The answer is that the kingdom is God’s gift to give and no one can begrudge his generosity.
Indeed “My thoughts are not your thoughts”, says the Lord, (cf First Reading Is 55:6-9). God’s way of acting does not follow human standards. But we are all beneficiaries of God’s boundless generosity and mercy. We cannot but be grateful by making out our ways more like his, going beyond the ordinary, the normal, the expected.
Amen.
