In Jesus’ parable about the landowner who sought laborers for his vineyard (Mt 20: 1-16), when the landowner found some people hanging around the marketplace at 5 pm, he asked, “Why do you stand here idle all day?” They replied, “Because no one has hired us.” Do you ever wonder why no one had hired them? I suspect that the laborers hired early in the morning were young, strong, and male, whereas those who remained at the end of the day were likely older, female, and perhaps ill. Who would want to hire them?
As it turns out, in the kingdom of heaven, God recognizes that the labor of all people has value, even that of persons who can only work for one hour a day. Furthermore, God gives wages according to each person’s need, not according to how much they produce. This generosity should not produce envy or self-importance, for as St. Benedict says in Chapter 34 of his Rule, “Whoever needs less should thank God and not be distressed, but whoever needs more should feel humble because of his weakness, not self-important because of the kindness shown him. In this way all the members will be at peace.”
What we all need most is to dwell in God’s presence, and that gift is given freely to everyone, regardless of our age, strength, and ability to be productive. Like Abraham Heschel, God obviously believes “Just to be is a blessing; just to live is holy.”
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