Reward of the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16

This week’s Gospel is the parable of the householder, landowner, and the day laborers.

We who live out our lives in a market economy might have trouble with this parable. But Jesus begins this parable with “the Kingdom of Heaven is like…”

From the householder’s view, the point is not what you get, but the fact that you work in the “vineyard,” the spiritual reality that permeates our physical, mental and social life.

We are sent into the material world to manifest more and more the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. The work itself is the reward, the joy is in the contribution, in joining with the Lord of the Vineyard in creating a new and better world.

Isn’t this the joy for which we yearn? Jesus’ parable tells us that everyone who works in the vineyard receives “our daily bread.” The market/s tit for tat consciousness is replaced with the overflowing generosity consciousness of Jesus, God’s amazing, undeserved, grace.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.