NOTES for Mat 20:1-16

What a precise parable, striking straight at us! Let us think. We have life, beautiful nature (where we have not yet spoiled it), people close to us, food, drink, shelter... Whoever is reading these lines apparently even has a computer! It would seem that we could be filled with gratitude. But... we look around, observe the people around us, and a much stronger feeling takes hold of us—the feeling that justice has been trampled! Have you noticed that justice always opposes gratitude? Which of us feels grateful to our superiors when we receive our salary? We earned it; it is only fair! And if we are given an unexpected bonus, what is the first thing we do? We look at how much the others received! Once again, justice instead of gratitude. And there is always someone who received more—and grumbling begins. In the final analysis, grumbling is always directed at God: it is He who created such an unjust world; it is He who pours out His rain on both the righteous and the wicked. Every one of us is called; each has been given the opportunity to be filled with gratitude. Yet how few make use of this opportunity and become chosen!