Dear Friends,

The readings this week speak of God's mercy and justice, and challenge us to look at how different our human view of justice might be from that of our God. I imagine that we've all heard, and perhaps used, the expression "life isn't fair". Sunday's gospel would be an example of the kind of lack of 'fairness' one might have in mind in making that statement. How 'fair' is it that those who toiled from dawn to dusk were paid the exact same amount of money as those who worked only a couple of hours? It seems unreasonable to say the least. But then, the first reading from Isaiah 55 sets the scene for this 'unreasonable' action when we are told by our God that "My ways are not your ways... as high as the heavens are above the earth so high are my ways above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts." As high as the heavens... that's quite a gap in understanding!

I think though on some level, we really can 'get it'... although in our self-centeredness it's tough to imagine really being able to act with the kind of compassionate justice that this parable suggests. We who have so much find it really difficult to imagine what it's really like not to 'have', and could probably engage in a fascinating dialog about the distinctions between 'fairness' and justice. Most of us are highly privileged, and while we may have worked hard to establish ourselves in life, we live in a culture where opportunity abounds. Yes, like those early to rise workers in the field, we have 'shown up' and given the task our all. But this gospel isn't really about earthly wages, denarii's, dollars and cents... .it's about the eternal rewards promised to us by Jesus. It's about the kingdom... or kin-dom ... that domain where we dwell now and forever with our God. And, God is saying... there are no limits! Just as the owner of the vineyard needs every laborer possible to get the job done before nightfall... I need you all... I need you who come early and give me the sweat of your brow, and I need those who have just arrived. I have so much to give that it can't be contained by the checks and balances of your human 'way of doing business'. "My ways are not your ways... "

Imagine what our world would be like if we looked at sharing resources in the way suggested by this parable? We understandably complain so often about the price of gasoline, yet in reality, it's much higher (where available) in other parts of the world , and we consume more than any other nation. Unlike our God, none of us has unlimited resources, but perhaps we might look at the resources that we do have, and see if we are using them in a 'just' way. Do we spend 'our' time as wisely and as generously as we might? Do we give the gift of a listening ear to someone in need, or are we mentally checking our watches when our listening presence is what's needed? Do we worry too much about "who said I'm sorry" last... or first last time? God's message today is one of Abundance... there's no shortage of God's grace and compassion. Our God is a God of Generosity... how close are we to mirroring that grace in our lives? Maybe we can't close the gap between the heavens and earth... but if we all stretched just a little bit more, maybe we could reach each other?

At the Spirit of Life Community, we try wholehearted to "be Christ" to one another, to celebrate that we are being transformed by God's grace as we pray together. We warmly invite you to come, and gather with us at our Table and experience our abundance! If you are seeking a community to support you as your deepen and grow in your relationship with God, we invite you to come and celebrate with us at the Spirit of Life as we are lovingly present to one another in working to build Community together. We are an inclusive, open, affirming and interactive community, deeply committed to being a people of 'justice and joy.'

Wishing you an abundance of grace and love,

Find more about past weekly reflections and podcasts in our ARCHIVE PAGE.