St. Cecilia Church in Beaverton, Oregon shared a message from the pastor on Sept. 20 on understanding God’s justice and mercy. 

Rev. Cary wrote that God’s actions might not necessarily make sense to us when we try to see them through an earthly lens. 

“When we speak of justice, it is giving what is due to the person, respecting what has been agreed upon. So, we can say that the landowner was just to them even if they felt slighted,” Rev. Cary wrote. “But, what do we make of the decision of the landowner to give exactly the same wage to those who worked less? This action of the landowner is not just that of justice, but of charity and of love.”

When Jesus told this parable, it was in order to help us understand that the way of God is not our way. We want justice, but God gives us love and mercy when we least deserve it. 

“Yes, those who might have worked less might receive the same wage as those who worked more hours, but those who worked less also missed the opportunity, the joy and the blessing of what it is to be part of God’s vineyard from the beginning,” Rev Cary wrote. 

Rather than being upset at God for not responding in the same way that we would, why do we not simply take the time to thank him for being merciful and not giving us what we deserve? The wage does not matter, but the opportunity to cooperate with God and be in his presence is something that we should all be willing to give anything for. When we examine our hearts, let us seek out what our motivations are and whether we prefer praise and glory or to simply be united with Christ our Lord.