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.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Jun 23, 2010 at 7:28 am

Written by irma,

Oh, now I get it. This is another Prodigal Son story: no fat off your back if your brother survives or, in this case, receives a good wage. It's not about us, it is about recognizing the blessings of God toward another.

...

Jun 23, 2010 at 8:35 am

Written by Kevin T,

I think this is another example of how godd sees us as equals in His eyes and he cares for each one of us all the same. If we could do that as human beings we would be much better off than we are now.

...

Jun 23, 2010 at 9:34 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Yes, and the corresponding fears that I have that obscure the truth from me.

-That someone is going to get something that is rightfully mine.

-That there is not enough to go around.

-That if someone else is raised, I will be diminished.

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Jun 23, 2010 at 9:42 am

Written by Tim Holsonback,

I disagree with this parable. When I know about God's grace, I am experiencing it. Hence when one starts experiencing it after me, I've had the joy for a period of time longer. So, I'd say the workers hired earlier in the day did, in fact, receive the higher wage.

...

Jun 23, 2010 at 12:39 pm

Written by Andrea,

Can you quantify joy?

Editor, Forward Day by Day

Jun 23, 2010 at 12:55 pm

Written by Richard H. Schmidt,

Thanks for your comments, all of them su*gestive. To me this parable is about God's joy in giving. It's what we'd call in the South lagniappe, a bonus you don't expect or deserve. No one in the parable got less than he deserved and expected, but some got more. It su*gests that God likes to do that. Hoping for a peanut butter sandwich, we burn around and find someone has prepared a steak dinner for us. "Where did that come from?" we say. And God smiles.

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