Commentary on the Gospel of
A Greater Justice
This parable does cause heartburn for many who find the act of the landowner unjust. But perhaps he is teaching us a greater justice. Imagine the scenario: here are some workers waiting to be picked up for job in the market place. We go out in the morning to choose some from them. Whom do we choose? The young, the fit, and the healthy. The old, the sick, and the handicapped are left out. Hence, when the landowner of the vineyard goes out at the eleventh hour, they are still there, and he chooses them. Knowing fully well that they have a family to feed and needs to meet, he pays them generously; and pays them first – for, being old, sick, or handicapped, they might take longer time to reach home! Those laborers who worked the whole day received exactly what they had agreed for as well. Jesus leaves us a clue at the beginning as to what to expect in the Kingdom – a deeper justice anointed with compassion.
