God gives freely what is unearned and undeserved. Jackson Graham, SJ reflects on how our God of abundance offers His saving Grace to every soul, the first and last. Based on the Gospel for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Is God Unfair?
We often let the concept of earning inform what we consider to be fair. When we have worked for something, we feel that we have truly earned it and therefore deserve it.
But today’s Gospel challenges that way of thinking.
Jesus tells the story of workers who arrive at the vineyard at different times throughout the day, yet all receive the same wage. Those who labored from the beginning complain that they have been treated unfairly. But the owner responds, “Are you envious because I am generous?
When Christ gives the owner’s response, He shifts out attention away from the workers and centers it on the owner who pays his workers liberally and freely.
The answer to the question of whether God is unfair is yes!
God is unfair because God gives freely what is unearned and undeserved.
God gives freely of his love, grace, and mercy on the Cross
Jesus, in this parable is directing our attention, not to the workers who earn a pay, but to Himself, who will freely pay the price for the sins of all of his followers, the first and the last.