by Sr. Barbara Ficenec, ND
Today’s thoughts are reflections of St Matthew’s Gospel regarding the parable of Jesus about a generous landowner. (Matthew 20:1-16a)
In hiring laborers for his vineyard, the owner agreed with them for the usual daily wage. Interestingly, all workers did not begin to help at the same hour; there was quite a discrepancy in the time frame among them.
So, when evening came and the laborers were summoned and each received the same wage, there was dissatisfaction with the landowner who replied, “My friends, I am not cheating anyone. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? ...Am I not free to do as I wish? …Are you envious because I am generous?”
Over my years it took me some to get the lesson Jesus taught here. I knew life is not fair; all my young years there were rules for fair games results and for having the same privileges as other kids.
Gradually, my mother’s oft repeated and sincere response brought me an important insight. LIFE isn’t always fair, but LOVE is.
Love is incredible; it causes good things to happen. It makes us happy. It lightens every carried burden. Above all, it’s the basic important request of Jesus for each of us, “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.”
Any effort to define LOVE and to understand it is difficult. (Try it - okay. It is so worth the effort.) God bless us all!