“It’s Not Fair!”

In the Gospel reading today, the workers in the vineyard who have laboured all day in the heat complain because they get the same wages as those who only worked a very short shift.  They also have a point, don’t they?

And yet Jesus answers them very well.  He points out that he has paid them exactly what was agreed with them at the start.  Jesus has been completely fair to them.  The fact that he has been generous to some others in a different way does not mean that he has been unfair to those who worked all day.

And if we are to pursue a very literal and pragmatic approach to the parable, we could even find some sympathy for the labourers who came along at the later hours of the day.  

They had to stand in the heat, hoping to get work, and possibly suffer the shame of not being chosen first.  Perhaps they were the older or weaker ones.  And in fairness to them, they persisted in their search for work and had no expectation of a greater reward.

“It’s not fair,” is an age-old cry.  I think some sort of concept of fairness or justice dwells in each one of us.  It’s something we are aware of from a young age.  In fact I wonder – for those of you who have children – what is the youngest that they have cried out, “It’s not fair!”?  I will be asking at mass!

Is it possible that as we go about our lives, we sometimes – or maybe even often – have a feeling that things are unfair?  I suggest that if so, this is something very dangerous.  It can lead to envy and bitterness and resentment.  

Of course when we look around, we can see a great inequality between people.  Some people have indeed been graced with abundant wealth, talents, privileges and opportunities.  Other people, through no fault of their own, find themselves challenged by all sorts of disadvantages.  A scripture that applies here is, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” 

A good question to ask ourselves and to bring to prayer is, “When has God ever been unfair to me?”  The more and more we ponder this, the more we will realise that despite any adversity or problem that befalls us, God is always there for us, wishing to bless us with his grace and mercy.

So when we do look at others and experience a sense of unfairness, we might well answer the question of the owner of the vineyard (God!), who asks, “Or do you begrudge my generosity?”  

God bless, Fr Kevin.