Homily for Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II
Theme: Parable of the workers in the vineyard
By: Fr. Benny Tuazon
Homily for Wednesday August 19 2020
(Mt. 20:1-16) Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel Jesus gives the parable of the workers in the vineyard. It is a moving, intriguing, and provoking story. It is about the vineyard owner who hired laborers at different times. However, to the surprise of those who were hired first, they received the same wages as those who were hired late in the day. They expected that because they were hired earlier, thus worked relatively longer, they would receive more. They, of course, complained. But the owner claimed he had not shortchanged them. He gave them a wage according to their agreement.
The point of the parable is to make us accountable for everything God had given us. God had been generous to all of us. He gave us gifts in terms of time, talent, and treasure. God does not compare us with others in the sense that we are not measured against each other. It will be unfair for us to be measured with St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Therese, etc. In terms of accountability, to each his own. God will not expect us to accomplish things beyond our capacities.
Comparison will always subject us to a lot of complexities. We will always find somebody below or above us. God wants us to avoid that. God will be fair to us base on what we were given. This is not to mean that we are not connected with each other. We are all complimentary. But measuring ourselves against others would be a great mistake. Just like in the parable, we will be tempted to cry “unfair.”
Best would be to look at ourselves. Repent on the sins we have committed. Identify our gifts. Use them in accordance with God’s will. And support others to do the same.