Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sometimes things just don't seem fair. There was a company that was hiring for a Morse code translator with a handsome salary that was conducting interviews. Due to the nature of the work and the compensation there were several applicants that arrived early to fill out their applications and wait for an interview. One gentleman walked in and didn't even complete the application and stood up and shouted at the secretary I must see the hiring manager immediately. The gentleman was taken to the hiring manager and the receptionist came back and said, "the interviews are over the position has been filled." There were many that didn't even get a chance to do go through the interview process. There was an applicant that stayed behind and told the receptionist, "this hardly seems fair." The receptionist proceeded to tell him how there was a telegraph machine behind her that gave the same message over and over. She advised the applicant in Morse code the machine said, "if you are hearing this message ask for the hiring manager and the job is yours for the taking." This is how the guy that came in after everyone obtained the position. The Holy Gospel today reflects on a similar scenario. In today's Gospel account there were laborers that worked in the field all day and were paid their fair wage. There were likewise a group of individuals that came in to work for an hour or so that received the same wage for almost no labor. One of the laborers that had arrived early in the day became quite upset. He told the landowner how unfair he felt it was that he paid everyone the same wage regardless of how much work was actually performed. The landowner told the laborer it was none of his business and that he should take what he is given and go on since that is what was negotiated as a fair wage for the work. We hear a theme also known in Luke's Gospel that says, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Father Swann reminds us that in this scenario it is about us trying to make what we feel should be the "pecking order" of God's love. The truth is that God is not fair. Instead God is merciful. If God was fair we would all be in trouble since we couldn't make a sacrifice worthy of his love. However, he loved us so much that he showed mercy on all that would believe in Him. Thank you God for being merciful instead of being fair. Praise God. Amen.

***Pray especially for: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, Vicki Fagiana, David Garber and family, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Christopher Geagley, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Camden Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, and Susan Beeler

Collect:

GRANT US, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(1st Reading Jonah 3:10-4:11, Psalm 145:1-8, 2nd Reading Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16)