gatorcast from paul smith

Today’s Gospel reading was Matthew 20:1-16.  It was the parable that Jesus told about a land owner telling laborer’s that he would pay them a days wage if they worked in the field.  As the day went on more laborer’s arrived and also worked, even until the last hour.  At the end of the day the land owner paid everyone an equal share equivalent to a days wages as promised.  But some of the workers that were there at the beginning complained that it was not fair that people got paid the same for only working 1 hour compared to some that were there all day.  

Here is the end of the reading:

Matthew 20:1-16 : When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage.So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage.And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?(Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’  Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”    

My priest explained that God is an Equal Opportunity Lover, in that, his love is the same for all.  No less.  No More.  Also, he added that God’s love is not measurable.   Everybody gets the same, regardless. 

I firmly beleive this but some days I have a hard time understanding and feeling his love.

He also told us that this parable helps us understand that we should not be concerned with other people’s commitment or how they live their lives.  But rather it is important for us to feel God’s love always and equally and to not let our “sin and selfishness” get in the way.

All of this talk about first and last made me think about a time when someone told me that I was not going to be first, but last.  My belief at the time was that last was better. I now know it is impossible to predict the outcome.  Or more importantly whether it is better to postpone something because it may have some benefit later.  

So, being last or first really does not matter.  All that really matters is that we were somewhere in between.  It matters to do all of the things that brings us closer to God’s Love.

This also brings to mind a favorite quote from the movie Talladaga Nights and is totally opposite of what the parable says, but funny…

If you aint first, your last!  - Ricky Bobby  

Thank you Baby Jesus.