Wednesday August 23, 2023

Matthew 10:1-16

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard.

I hope you take the time reading through this one beautiful parable. It certainly does not feel right, it does not seem right that all the workers should get the same pay. In my opinion this parable may not have been spoken by Jesus but directed to the early church by the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

What is he getting at and how does it preach. Do you feel like there are people who own the church? They are the movers and shakers of events at the parish level. I don’t see that in our small community mainly because of our size (thank God) but there are parishes especially in my old country where this is felt. People feel ENTITLED to holy mother church. It could be priests, bishops, parishioners. Listen, the church, the kingdom of God is NOT your possession. You are not in charge here, God is.

So yes it seems unfair that everyone gets the same pay. Some of the early church members had sweat blood and tears for this beautiful life and others came in at the eleventh hour and yet they all get eternal life to the same degree.

Whenever you get frustrated like I do with this reading, remember the 13th Commandment. There is but One God and you are not it.

Love you very much y’all and if you can remember Rabbouni in your financial plans this month. I appreciate you.

Fr. Chibundi