August 17, 2022 – Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081722.cfm)

It is once said that: “Justice is getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. Mercy is not getting what you deserve.”

In our gospel today, all hired-laborers got justice from a just wage for an honest day’s work. However, those who are hired-later received Grace & blessing for a chance to work though undeservingly late & last to work. And they also received Mercy for though deserving of rejection for hiring, they were given a chance for work & just wage instead.

Judging from the merits of their work, the early-hired laborers complain & ask for Justice based on reward & punishment reasoning. However, not only justice but also grace & mercy are given to the late & last-hired workers, because of and based on God’s generosity & their faith.

We are reminded here that God judges & sees us beyond our merits, reward & punishment reasoning, & justice.  In His grace & mercy, God loves us out of His generosity along with our faith in Him.

Now in our relationship with God, are we IN only for His Justice, & our merits – our reward-punishment? OR are we more into His grace & mercy, His generosity & our trusting faith in Him?

Be reminded then of these words: “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?

In your generosity, grant us Your Grace & Mercy O Lord, deserving or undeserving we may be. Amen