It's not fair!

Today's gospel (Mt 20:1-16) is one of those difficult ones that we may not like, but may not want to admit it. It is the story of the landowner who goes out during various intervals during the work day and hires workers. At the end of the day, he pays them each a full day's wage. Those who put in a full day's work are angry. His response is "Are you jealous because I am generous?"

How many times have we felt jealous of God's generosity to another? How many times have we let self pity stand in the way of some good that God is trying to give us because we are too busy looking over our shoulder at how others are being treated? Today, our priest asked the congregation, will you be able to rejoice in Heaven, if the person you hate the most is in Heaven standing next to you?

Our Western view of God as "Just" assumes that God will not let "evil" people "get away with" their deeds.

Saint Isaac the Syrian said, "How can you call God just, when you read the passage on the wage given to the workers? '

‘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?’"

"How can a man call God just when he comes across the passage on the prodigal son, who wasted his wealth in riotous living, and yet only for the contrition which he showed, the father ran and fell upon his neck, and gave him authority over all his wealth? None other but His very Son said these things concerning Him lest we doubt it, and thus He bare witness concerning Him. Where, then, is God's justice, for whilst we were sinners, Christ died for us!"

God is more than "just". God is Pure and Perfect Love.