Wednesday August 21st: Late-comers and early-comers

St Pius X, Pope

“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?”

Matthew 20: 1-16

It is a great joy to see all persons come into the baptismal process. It is, however, a greater joy to see on occasions, the eighty and ninety-plus olds, decide to take the baptismal plunge.

Through their baptism, they all become heirs of the kingdom, with equal rights. The God we serve is the owner of the vineyard. He pours out His love on anyone who opens himself to it. Each of us gets all his love: late-comers or early-comers.

Sometimes, these newly baptised become active in ministry as God pours out his blessings. His generosity sometimes leads to envy and jealousy and, eventually, criticism and fault finding about ‘Johnny come lately’. Let us not be jealous when God blesses another person or family. Ask instead, what can I learn so I can be a better version of myself?

God will take us back into the vineyard even at the ‘eleventh hour’. Let us not be jealous of God’s generous mercy. They are His to give as He wills.