NOTES for Mat 20:1-16
What a precise parable, striking straight at us! Let us think about it. 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 has a computer. It would seem that we could be filled with gratitude. But... we look around at the people near us, and a much stronger feeling takes hold of us—the feeling that justice has been trampled! Have you noticed that justice is always opposed to gratitude? Which of us feels grateful to our superiors when we receive our salary? After all, 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 others received! Again, justice instead of gratitude. Yet there is always someone who received more, and grumbling arises. In the end, grumbling is always directed at God: He created such an unjust world; He pours out His rain on both the righteous and the wicked. Each of us is invited, and each is given the opportunity to be filled with gratitude, but how few make use of this opportunity, how few become chosen.