By Jijo Philip csc –
Readings: Is 55:6-9; Phil 1:20-24, 27; Mt 20:1-16
As Christians with feelings and emotions, we always want to be just and sincere in our dealings with others especially with those whom we serve and those who serve us in different ways. We may feel that in today’s parable, Jesus was an unjust man, who had no compassion towards the ones who worked the whole day.
Yet Jesus was able to see the heart of the one who came at the last hour of the work. It was not his fault that no one called him for work. In this pandemic situation, we can see thousands going hungry because of a lack of opportunity to work and earn their daily bread; unable to meet the daily needs of their lives and struggling with the whole family. In this context, I am reminded of the famous quote by St. Mother Theresa, that helping hands are better than praying lips. Today, Jesus is inviting us to be human who is able to understand the desires of the poor and needy and help them to live their life, rather than focusing on our own selfish needs.
Let us pray for the grace of God upon us so that we may be able to see others, especially those who are struggling in their lives, with the eyes of Christ and be able to help them in whatever way possible.