Human beings are often tempted to judge themselves. Each one of us can verify this truth by looking at how we measure our accomplishments as well as our failures. Can you hear the “inner voice” that makes comments on everything you do? Our judgments of others can be a disguise for such self-judgment.
At times, what may be expressed as a judgment of others is a subtle way of comparing ourselves to them, finding ourselves wanting. If you are honest with yourself, you must admit that the way you measure is not God’s way of measuring. The response of God to our way of measuring in the Gospel parable of the owner of the vineyard makes this clear: “Are you envious because I am generous?”
God is close to us. Every experience can be an invitation to understand more profoundly God’s way of thinking. When we are surprised at how things turn out in our lives, instead of judging ourselves or others, we can learn to cooperate with God’s Will and discover something new about ourselves and God.
Isaiah offers us encouragement: “Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.” The prophet reveals that the way to real relationship with God is to change our way of thinking, to observe how God responds to whatever happens. Conversion is called for: “Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked his thoughts; let him turn to the LORD for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.”
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God Himself speaks through the prophet, reminding us that His ways are beyond us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”
Human history can be read as a series of wars and battles, the struggle for domination and power. Money and other idols of our own creation can be given the place that belongs to God. Through Faith, however, we are freed to see all that we experience as part of the journey that leads us outside ourselves, to real concern and care for others.
Each of the workers in the vineyard was given just what was needed for daily sustenance. If the owner had paid less, someone in the family would not be fed. Every laborer was seeking a way to provide for his family’s daily meal. The owner of the vineyard represents God’s generous Love for all of us. He also shows that we are responsible to work together for the common good.
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In his expression of love for the Philippians, Paul reminds us that we are not only responsible for material sustenance. Like Paul, we can learn to give of ourselves materially, emotionally and spiritually. Paul is ready to accept whatever God’s Will proves to be: “Brothers and sisters: Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.”
In many cases, practical living of the Gospel is a matter of changing our own attitudes. We can feel a “pinch” when there is an unexpected cost, which is often the case. But our attitudes can also get in the way when there is no real cost to us – we get what we deserve – and we are called to learn from the generosity of the owner of the vineyard.
Let us call upon the Lord, willing to change our way of thinking and our selfish attitudes. “The Lord is near to all who call upon him.” And let us respond to Paul’s final admonition by putting God’s ways into practice: “Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
