Limiting the Limitless

Gospel:  Matthew 20: 1-16

In today's parable Jesus describes for us in story form what theology has attempted to do over the centuries - the constant attempt to contain and limit what is by definition and experience limitless.  We have the story of a vineyard owner who is a representation of God.  This man hires others throughout the day to work in his fields, and at day's end he pays everyone the same daily wage.  He provides the daily bread, the daily needs, of all these people.

Now enter the theologians.  Some complain loudly that this arrangement is unfair.  They worked longer, so they should get more and others should get less.  They want to create categories of special status and chosen people over and against others.  They want to reject the idea of God's generosity to all and set limits on it.  They want to defend their economic theories of privilege and "merit" and reject ideas of the common good and care for all people.  

But God provides for all people.  God provides for the daily bread of all his children, and all people are children of God without exception or exclusion.  Even the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the betrayer, the denier, and those who abandoned him were fed at his table.  No one goes hungry.  The theologians will seek to say otherwise.  Let us instead seek to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect, following the example of Jesus, and provide for all.