Daily Retreat 08/23/06
2006 Aug 23 Wed: Ordinary Weekday/ Rose of Lima, v
Ez 34: 1-11/ Ps 22(23): 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6/ Mt 20: 1-16
From todays readings: Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves!... The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.... Are you envious because I am generous?
Divine and Human Generosity
It follows that, since God is infinitely greater than we are, His generosity is infinitely greater than ours. This is an essential insight to bear in mind when considering the parable of the workers in the vineyard, which at first seems absurd to a lot of people. Why in the world would the owner of a farm ever pay a worker a full day's wages for only an hour of work? That such a thing should ever happen is not only improbable, but almost unimaginable.
But the parable is not proposed as a practical example for labor and management, but rather, as an illustration of divine generosity, and probably also as an unsettling benchmark for considering our attitude towards Gods generosity to others.
Its easy enough for each of us to consider our own experience of Gods generosity in the blessings received in this life, and the anticipation of the promised blessings of the life to come. Is there ever any room to complain that God gives more to others? In the parable, the landowner does not actually give more to any of the workers, but some of the workers give more for what they receive. God is generous to us - how generous are we prepared to be with Him?
Ez 34: 1-11/ Ps 22(23): 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6/ Mt 20: 1-16
From todays readings: Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves!... The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.... Are you envious because I am generous?
Divine and Human Generosity
It follows that, since God is infinitely greater than we are, His generosity is infinitely greater than ours. This is an essential insight to bear in mind when considering the parable of the workers in the vineyard, which at first seems absurd to a lot of people. Why in the world would the owner of a farm ever pay a worker a full day's wages for only an hour of work? That such a thing should ever happen is not only improbable, but almost unimaginable.
But the parable is not proposed as a practical example for labor and management, but rather, as an illustration of divine generosity, and probably also as an unsettling benchmark for considering our attitude towards Gods generosity to others.
Its easy enough for each of us to consider our own experience of Gods generosity in the blessings received in this life, and the anticipation of the promised blessings of the life to come. Is there ever any room to complain that God gives more to others? In the parable, the landowner does not actually give more to any of the workers, but some of the workers give more for what they receive. God is generous to us - how generous are we prepared to be with Him?
posted by FrPitstick | 8/22/2006
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