Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. 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? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
REFLECTION
"Are you envious because I am generous?'
I was always the one that no one wanted on their team.... this meant, last to be chosen and never to be chosen to play. Totally understood as I did not have physical skills like others, my eyesight was not the best, and I enjoyed reading, writing and arithmetic more. Interesting how in my youth there was never any resentment or envy ...in fact, it became my "joke"-- my way of accepting the unforgiveable of not "being part of the PE gang" .
But as I got older, higher education planted me with people with better skills and talents. I noticed that I had taken a sharp turn and became someone I did not know, letting resentment quietly take root in my heart. I was now competing with people who had the same desires as I, but many were far brighter. Ego did not allow me to turn my situation into a joke. I truly was envious of the one who was recognized, more attention given to, who had far better skills than me, and quicker in knowing the facts and answers. I was no longer the "top of my class". It was hard to live with myself with my perceived injustice of not being recognized, receiving plaudits and gratitudes. I could not see past my "green eyes"
St Matthew takes me back to those days. I can hear God asking, "Are you envious because I am generous?" Truly I resented like the workers the gifts, opportunities and graces given to others. God's generosity was now a calculator measurement of how much He loved me!!
I had done the unthinkable ...taken for granted His love, His gifts, His blessings. I had lost my trust in His goodness and confidence that wherever He planted me He would provide.
St John Eudes came down with an illness shortly after his ordination and was bedridden for a year. But once he got well there was no stopping him in preaching about the sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Many people became more loving, merciful and generous. He reminded us that Jesus loves without comparison, is good and very generous. Let us rejoice when sinners return, when people use their talents and gifts for the glory of God.
The remedy to jealousy is a transformed heart giving way to love. May we become more like the Heart of Jesus and Mary.
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