Episode Transcript
1
00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:05,142
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus tells a story
that can make us a little uncomfortable.
2
00:00:05,896 --> 00:00:09,899
A landowner goes out early in the morning
and hires workers for his vineyard.
3
00:00:10,744 --> 00:00:14,000
Later in the day, he hires
more workers, then more.
4
00:00:14,698 --> 00:00:18,000
And even an hour before finishing
time, he hires a final group.
5
00:00:19,279 --> 00:00:22,856
At the end of the day when it is
time to pay them he calls them all.
6
00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:27,671
He starts with the most recent
and pays them a day’s wage.
7
00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:32,555
When it comes to the people hired early he
gives them the same wage.
8
00:00:33,016 --> 00:00:34,000
They are not happy.
9
00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:40,763
If we're honest, many of us understand
how they feel, it doesn't seem fair.
10
00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:48,254
The parable challenges something that can
easily find its way into our hearts: envy.
11
00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:52,584
A simple example is something called "food envy."
12
00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:57,677
You go to a restaurant, study the
menu, and finally decide what you want.
13
00:00:58,184 --> 00:01:00,221
You're excited about your choice.
14
00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:05,375
Then the meal on your friend's
plate arrives, and it looks amazing.
15
00:01:06,377 --> 00:01:08,947
Suddenly, you're no longer enjoying your own meal.
16
00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,324
You're thinking, "Why didn't I order that?"
17
00:01:13,281 --> 00:01:15,082
Nothing changed about your food.
18
00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:18,862
It was exactly what you wanted a few minutes ago.
19
00:01:19,932 --> 00:01:24,888
But the moment you started comparing,
your satisfaction disappeared.
20
00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:30,320
The same thing can happen in life
with someone else’ promotion,
21
00:01:30,320 --> 00:01:35,042
or their success, or their relationship,
or their talent or their blessings.
22
00:01:35,774 --> 00:01:39,280
Soon, we stop noticing the gifts God has given us
23
00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:43,413
because we're too busy looking at
what God has given someone else.
24
00:01:44,652 --> 00:01:46,738
That is what is happening in the Gospel.
25
00:01:47,132 --> 00:01:53,240
The early workers were happy with their wage
until they started comparing themselves to others.
26
00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:57,558
Perhaps we should also think about
the workers who were hired late.
27
00:01:58,357 --> 00:02:01,440
Imagine standing in the marketplace all day,
28
00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:07,311
wanting to work, wanting to provide for
your family, but no one chooses you.
29
00:02:08,640 --> 00:02:11,384
As the hours pass, the anxiety grows.
30
00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:16,203
How will I feed my family?
How will I pay my bills?
31
00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:22,449
Then, at the very end of the day,
someone finally gives you an opportunity.
32
00:02:23,496 --> 00:02:27,778
The landowner's generosity was not a reward
for laziness.
33
00:02:28,498 --> 00:02:30,909
It was an act of compassion.
34
00:02:32,316 --> 00:02:34,797
The parable is about the heart of God.
35
00:02:35,371 --> 00:02:38,000
God is generous beyond what we expect.
36
00:02:38,777 --> 00:02:43,776
He doesn't give us only what is
fair; He gives us what is loving.
37
00:02:44,609 --> 00:02:51,806
And the challenge for us is to rejoice when
that same generosity is shown to others.
