Commentary
Having told the disciples, “many that are first will be last, and the last first” (Mt 19:30), Jesus delivers The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, a stunning revelation of His infinite magnanimity and the conversion of hearts required for men to be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The parable describes God’s (Householder, Lord) tireless efforts to recruit men (laborers) to build His Kingdom (work in the vineyard). For those who respond to God’s call, there is Judgment (payment at the end of the day) and the reward of Heaven, a blessing of the Beatific Vision (a single denarius) of the totality of God. By God’s grace, some men are blessed to convert early in their lives (the first) while other men don’t convert until their deathbed (the last); both receive the same Beatific Vision of God in Heaven. Jesus requires men to rejoice in God’s generosity; those whose hearts are corrupted by pride, ingratitude, and envy will not enter the Kingdom (they are told to go).
Jesus’ amazing parable offers tremendous insights. Jesus relentlessly calls each man individually from idleness and helplessness to the blessings of joining Him in building the Kingdom. Jesus purposefully challenges men to confront their self-centeredness and to rejoice in His infinite generosity. He wants men to face their ingratitude, pride, envy, and the false ideas of self-serving “justice”; these are the same evil delusions that caused Satan’s fall. Jesus desires for men to discard worldly concepts of merit and to wholeheartedly take hold of the self-sacrificing work of the Gospel, reveling in the blessing of every saved soul. Though cordial in Judgment, Jesus will not admit those who cling to their selfishness, pride, ingratitude, and envy into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Be Awed by Jesus Christ
Rejoice in the tremendous news that Jesus, in His Divine Mercy, offers every man the opportunity for Salvation: Divine King, Jesus calls every man to become sons of His Kingdom (Vineyard); the perfection of Generosity (a part of Justice), Jesus liberally gives all willing men the chance to receive His blessings (denarius), giving all men the opportunity for Hope; the perfection of Kindness (a part of Justice), Jesus rebukes the envy and greed of men.
Obediently Be Conformed to the Church to Be Justified
Realize: Unlike those who arrogantly make up moral codes to their liking and seek to justify themselves by attempting to make others conform to their warped ideas of justice, Jesus reveals that men rarely understand God’s justice. Only God has the insight and power to justify men.
Believe: Reflect upon God’s Justice and Justification (CCC 271, 1040, 1861, 1953, 1987–1995, 2018–2020).
Examine: What are several specific ways I can more obediently align my thoughts and behaviors with Church teachings?
Pray: Jesus, Divine Judge, help me build the Virtue of Obedience (a part of Justice) so I make the unshakable commitment to submit to Your Holy Catholic Church, strive to conform my thoughts, words, and deeds to the teachings of the Church, and rely on Your Passion to justify me, a poor sinner, through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Strive to Give God and Every Soul Their Due
Realize: Jesus, the Perfection of Justice, calls men to be just, and every Catholic man is called to give God and other men what is properly owed to them.
Believe: Review the Virtue of Justice (CCC 1805, 1807, 2446, 2487).
Examine: What are some recent examples of when I failed to give others the respect, gratitude, or courtesy they deserved?
Pray: Jesus, the Perfection of Justice, help me build the Virtue of Justice so that I always desire to be a just Catholic man, constantly think about my actions, and strive to give You and every soul what is justly due to them. Amen.