A Just Society

Gospel: Matthew 20: 1-16

Today many a sermon will assert that the parable of the workers is not about social justice but instead about God's mercy, overlooking the fact that it in fact could be about both.  The fact that some of the workers were not hired until late in the day is not their fault.  In a society where day laborers are the dominant worker class, it was very common and Jesus chose this scenario because people were all too familiar with it.

An economy built on day laborers where they are only paid for the work they do is one that is steeped in poverty and exploitation.  Day laborers are utterly dependent on these wages to provide for their families.  In our world they are exploited and go hungry; in the kingdom of God all are provided for so that they have a daily wage able to sustain lives.  Our justice cares for the rich land owner; God's justice provides for all.

Which kingdom is ours?  Do we find ourselves extolling the rich men of our day, voting to make sure the masses pay them to build new stadiums? Or are we working to create a society where a living wage is provided for all regardless of what they do? Yes, this parable is about God's mercy, but it is also about our own and the extent to which we extend that mercy of God forward as we are required.