Fair pay
This parable is a story about a landowner who compensated some workers with extraordinary generosity. The truth is that nobody was treated unfairly. The workers who worked all day were given a just wage – a wage that they had agreed upon. One could say that the only person at the losing end was the landowner, because he could have saved money if he had paid each worker according to the work they did. However, it seems that the feeling of satisfaction for being generous to others, which the landowner got, was worth what he paid extra to the workers.
In this parable, the landowner represents God and the workers represent us. The wages which the landowner paid to the workers represent God’s grace. This parable demonstrates that God is incredibly generous in giving out grace. God’s grace is not rationed out according to human merit. Rather, God gives out His grace according to His will, His time and His way. This point is very important for us to remember, especially when we are in a situation in life wherein we feel that what is happening to us isn’t fair. We must trust that God’s way is the best way.
The parable also shows us the difference between being just and being generous. Being just means giving others their due, while being generous means giving others more than their due. The landowner cannot be accused of being unjust to the workers who worked all day because he gave them what they were due, nor could the landowner be accused of being unfair to them simply because he was generous to the other workers.
Finally, the parable warns us against being envious of others; for example, being envious of the good fortune of others; of being sad rather than happy when others get more than they deserve; and of looking at the success of others as our own failure. Those who persist in looking at things in this way will be left out of the Kingdom of heaven. There can be no envy and displeasure in heaven; it is inconceivable that those who have obtained the gift of eternal life should be dissatisfied with their reward or jealous of others. The workers who were envious were the first to come to the vineyard, but they have put themselves last because of their sin.
Bible study will resume in October. Bible study in Chinese meets every Wednesday and will resume on Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 am. Bible study in English meets on the first and third Mondays every month and will resume on Monday, October 5 at 6:30 pm. All participants are required to wear masks and observe social distancing. The social hall has been reserved for bible study during these times.
Eucharistic Adoration will resume on its regular schedule every Sunday beginning at 9:30 am in the chapel.
Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer encourages the faithful in the Archdiocese of Atlanta to join in the National Day of Prayer and Fasting on September 24, 2020. This effort was initiated by a non-profit apostolate called ACTS XXIX based in Detroit. The purpose is to ask God to have mercy on our nation and for the healing of people’s hearts.
Our goal for the 2020-2021 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal of $5,200 has been met. Thank you to all the donors!
Faith Formation has gone online! Online classes for children, teens and adults are now posted in our church website. Lessons will continue to be added, so check our website frequently.
If you have used ink cartridges, don’t throw them away! Please bring them to the church office. Every ink cartridge we recycle gives us $2 off for our next ink purchase. Any size ink cartridge is accepted.