September 20, 2026.
“Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” (Mathew 20, 14-16)
The parabola of the owner of the fields, who hired day laborers for different times and at the end paid them the same, giving the last the same as agreed with the first, does not put forth the question of divine intervention but of human thankfulness. First, because even what they give you – eternal life – is a gift, since no one deserves it by virtue of their works, it doesn’t justify us nor save us from ourselves, but is Christ’s spilt blood that redeems our sins and opens the door to Heaven for us, even as our good works continue to be necessary, as an essential condition to show our acceptance for the plan of God and as small collaboration in the rendering of Christ, as symbolized by the water which the priest symbolically adds to the wine in offering the Eucharist.
Second, because to work for the Lord – to do good, fulfill the commandments, help thy neighbor, keep the holy days – is great luck. The day laborers from the first hour should have said “Master, if you want, pay us a little less since we have been compensated sufficiently by being all day at you side, helping you, serving you». To love is luck and, if God is going to give Heaven to whom he loves, there is a heaven to enjoy on earth and only those who are with God and with Love have it. There is other compensation, but if there weren’t, to be with him is enough.
Intention: Each time I do well, I am going to feel fortunate for having been able to do it, because to luck is luck. I will thank God for letting me love.