Isaiah 55:6-9 / Philippians 1:20-24, 27 / Matthew 20:1-16
It is said that all men are equal, and that is an undeniable truth.
That is also the teaching of the Church, in that all persons are equal, and that each person has a God-given dignity that is to be respected.
But as much as humanity is bound by equality, it is also an undeniable fact that there is a discrepancy.
That discrepancy is what is commonly called unfairness.
One example is the difference between the rich and poor, whether it is between nations, or business enterprises, or organizations or persons.
The unfairness is often phrased as this: The rich becomes richer and a poor becomes poorer.
That unfairness is usually shrouded with injustice and biasness.
But unfairness is not just happening up there. When it comes down and into our lives, it takes a form of bullying, where size matters and that might is right.
Or that those who have more resources and advantages are able to get more benefits over those who have less.
So, even though we may cheer for the underdog, we will still bet on the top dog.
Obviously, to be poor in status, resources and abilities would put a person in a vulnerable and difficult state.
In the gospel, the parable has the main message of the generosity of God.
There is also a hint of our human inclination to be envious of others when they get more and get better than us.
But a deeper reflection of the parable would reveal to us the compassion of God, and that He is moved by those who are poor and lowly, and those who are weak and helpless.
That is seen by the landowner going out at the third hour, sixth hour and the ninth hour.
Logically, that landowner should have stopped at the ninth hour, which is at noon, and pay the workers a half day wage.
What is rather surprising is that he even went out at the ninth hour, and even at the 11th hour to hire workers.
And the surprise does not end there. When it came to paying the wages, all the workers got the same pay.
Hence those workers who were hired at the start of the day, grumbled at the landowner.
But as the landowner retorted, there was no unfairness, as the wages were agreed upon.
If anything, it was the workers who grumbled at the landowner who were unfair.
Those workers revealed the darker side of humanity that is prone to envy and jealousy, and is inclined to complain when the situation is not in their favour.
But the 1st reading puts it so profoundly, as the Lord says this:
My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways. Yes, the heavens are as high above the Earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts about your thoughts.
So, the gospel parable gives us a glimpse of the ways of God and the thoughts of God.
God is fair to all, and He is compassionate.
He helps those who are in need, and He will provide for them in a surprising and marvellous way.
That gives us the hope that when we face our difficulties and troubles of life, when we are down to nothing, God will come up with something.
Let us not be envious or jealous, or complain and get angry that life is so unfair, that we are lacking in resources and abilities.
Because when we experience the generosity and the gracious help from God, we will only want to give thanks with grateful hearts.
Yes, the last will be first. That is how God thinks. That is the way of the Lord.