For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard                  Matthew 20 : 1

Bible reading: Matthew 20 : 1 – 16

Thought for the week

Life’s never fair! I wonder if we heard this when we were growing up? When we were beginning to understand the world, the realisation that others always seemed to have better opportunities, more possessions. And all that anyone could ever say is that ‘life’s never fair’.

Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. How the owner pays the same whether the workers have been labouring all day, or only the last hour.

There is unfairness on the one hand. Yet life is never fair for anyone. We might pause to think of the youngsters now whose future is so uncertain following the pandemic. Their potential sense of unfairness compared to the generations before them. They need our prayers now, for hope and healing.

Yet there is sheer generosity, blessing, grace on the other hand. The Lord’s love for us is so freely given, and yet completely undeserved. Knowing Jesus’ love in our lives dispels all sense of unfairness, bitterness even. Because Jesus loves each of us beyond measure. Even sacrificing Himself on the Cross. The Lord is so generous in His love to us. Let us in our own way praise Him.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.

(By Ignatius of Loyola)