[ Today's Readings ]
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
We do tend to feel like we earn something. There is the feeling of effort. Because of that feeling we expect commensurate reward, just as we would for any effort. But this is different. We can't find any work on our own. To work in the vineyard, to do something meaningful, is actually a gift to us. On our own we stand idly in town with no higher purpose to guide us. The landowner allows us to share in the work of vineyard. In turn he meets our needs.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
He does not give us less than we expect. We takes issue because he gives others more than we expect. But the connection between what we do and what we get doesn't apply here. He lets us work for our own sakes and therefore also for the sake of all those who enjoy the fruit of the vineyard. He supplies our needs. It isn't a particularly skilled trade. We don't deserve anything special for doing more. Ultimately, seeing the vineyard bear fruit is meant to become its own reward.
When we start working as though the field is ours we no longer approach the fruit as its own reward and we deserve reward proportional to our effort. We become like shepherds who have been pasturing themselves rather than the sheep.
Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel
who have been pasturing themselves!
Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep?
We reap the superficial rewards where we can but do not do the things which do not seem immediately rewarding.
You have fed off their milk, worn their wool,
and slaughtered the fatlings,
but the sheep you have not pastured.
You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick
nor bind up the injured.
We are called, rather, to have a concern above all else for the sheep. They are not really ours, after all. They are entrusted to our care. But they belong to the LORD.
I will claim my sheep from them
and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep
so that they may no longer pasture themselves.
I will save my sheep,
that they may no longer be food for their mouths.
Jesus himself is the vine. He allows us to be grafted in and pruned in order to bear fruit. He allows us to take part in the work of the vineyard to bear the wine of joy for the kingdom of God. Jesus himself is the shepherd. He allows us to share in his own love for his sheep, a love which we must first receive.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
If he shepherds us we want for nothing. We don't abuse other sheep. We don't demand more payment for our labor just because we see others getting more. Instead we dwell in peace and contentment.
Only goodness and kindness will follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
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