The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

This meditation is based on a passage for November 7, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Matthew 20:1-16

Reflection and Question: Although the punch line here is one Jesus uses many times in the Gospels: “So the last will be first and the first last,” this parable of equal pay for those who worked the whole day and those who worked only a few hours is found only in Matthew. We could take this story as Jesus’ repudiation of capitalist economics; there is a lot of evidence for that in Scripture. However, I think Jesus’ central point here is less about society and more about the church and God’s equal favor on the old timer and the newcomer. When Spirit-filled LGBT people return to the church how will they be received? Will it be equally?

Prayer: Jesus, our Teacher, You warn us often that the first shall be last and the last first. Have mercy on us who are first, those of us who have been long in the church. May both recent and long-time believers work side by side to glorify Your Name. Amen.