From the Gospel according to Matthew 20:1-16
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord
What Glasses Am I Wearing?
Why does Jesus tell us these parables that can so easily make us identify with those who complain, with those who don’t understand? Because He knows our tendency to look at things with our own “reasonable” human criteria, which often hide a self-centered perspective that doesn’t step into the other person’s shoes. Jesus wants to pull us out of that way of looking and teach us to look as He looks: with a gaze that isn’t turned inward, that seeks the good of others, that looks to the heart instead of stopping at the surface.
Those workers who hadn’t been hired must have been anxious all day, not knowing what they would eat. The others already had a job, already knew they’d have food that day. And when the latecomers were finally hired, they must have felt so relieved knowing they’d have something to take home. What joy when they received their pay! That’s why the first ones should have rejoiced with them, right?
That’s how God calls me to see, with His love, which isn’t self-centered but steps into the other’s place and gives of itself. That’s the path to true happiness.
What about me? Do I put myself in my spouse’s shoes? Do I look with my selfish glasses, or do I put on God’s glasses the ones that see from the heart and to the heart?
Applied to Married Life
Oscar: (angrily) I can’t believe it. Your daughter speaks so badly right away! And you always defend her!
Helen: (thinking) He can’t have that temper, he just can’t talk like that! He explodes so fast. Mother, what should I do? I need to put on God’s glasses to see his heart. He’s suffering. He’s right, even if his way of saying it isn’t. Poor guy, he knows. How many times in prayer have I heard him tell the Lord how hard he fights against his temper! So I need to show him my support in front of our daughter, even if his way of expressing it is hard for me.
Helen: Come on, honey, you’re right. But please, don’t get so worked up. I’ll talk to her because what she did wasn’t okay. You’re the best husband and the best father in the world! You’re already managing to get a handle on your temper, and you’ll see one day you’ll overcome it completely.
Oscar: Thank you so much, Helen. You’re so sweet. You really help me. But please, do talk to her. I know it’s hard for you, but you know we have to. And she listens to you more. Do it for the Lord and for me.
Helen: Of course. You’re right. It’s hard for me, but I’ll speak to her firmly, because her behavior can’t continue. For you. For the Lord. I love you so much, my love.
Mother,
What a joy to see how, holding your hand, this path of prayer and sacraments and also of mortification to overcome my selfishness is bearing fruit… Thank you forever, Mother! Praise be the Lord!