Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
WEDNESDAY, June 23
Matthew 20:1-16. When they received [their wages], they grumbled against the landowner, saying, "These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat." But he replied to one of them," Friend..."
It is certainly not just or fair that those who had worked for twelve hours should receive the same pay as those who had worked only one. Then why did our Lord tell this story?
The key word which unlocks the mystery of the parable is friend. We expect to hear the word laborer or employee. Such a word we could understand.
But then we should have lost the point of the parable. This is no lesson in economics, but a call to friendship. To all who seek to enter into relations with God on the basis of merit and contract, God's chosen ways of grace and friendship will seem unjust. But God will not permit us to have relations with him on the basis of merit. He would lift our relations to a higher level--that of friendship. With friends we do not keep accounts of merit. Friendship recognizes no limits of giving.
Has God dealt with you on the basis of merit or friendship? Do you want God to deal with others as he has dealt with you? (1946)
PRAY for the Diocese of Down and Dromore (Armagh, Ireland)
Ps 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 * 119:121-144; Numbers 16:36-50; Romans 4:13-25
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
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A Meditation for Pentecost
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