When you see “sinners” repent after a life of sin, do you feel irritated and think of God as unfair? - Daily Reflections August 19,2015

IS GOD UNFAIR?

 

Some of Jesus’ parables are shocking, like the one in today’s Gospel. If an employer would do today what the owner of the vineyard did, it would cause an uproar from labor unions and a violent strike would ensue.

       Many good Christians even find this story scandalous because it offers a picture of God who was seemingly unfair. The great French Catholic novelist, Francois Mauriac, wrote several novels in which his characters undergo a last-minute conversion, sometimes only on their deathbed, and so reach heaven after a life of sin and crimes. “Unfair,” many cry. But don’t forget the criminal who was crucified alongside Jesus and who asked for His forgiveness. Jesus promised him minutes before his death, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise.” Unfair, many cry, joining the last group of hired workers in our parable.

       Sinners who convert at the end of their lives receive the same salary — heaven — as the good Christians who struggle their whole lives to keep God’s commandments and live a life that’s pleasing to God. Is that fair?

       Jesus’ answer to that question is obvious. He admits that God is not fair according to our standards of justice. But God does not remain on the level of mere justice. God is pure love, and pure love goes beyond justice. Love is extravagant, unreasonable. That’s why human justice cannot understand the reasons of love.

       The parable is also about God’s generosity. The workers did not do the same work but they received the same pay. There are two great lessons here. It is not the amount of service given, but the love with which it is given that matters. God does not look at the amount of our service. As long as we give what we have, all service ranks the same with God.

       Another lesson is even greater: We cannot earn what God gives us. What God gives out of the goodness of His heart, what He gives is not pay, but a gift — not a reward, but a grace. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: When you see “sinners” repent after a life of sin, do you feel irritated and think of God as unfair?

 

Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your love is ocean-deep and Your mercy limitless, and that this applies not only to me but also to worse sinners than I am.