Today we hear the parable of the landowner who hired workers for his vineyard at dawn, agreeing to pay the standard daily wage. Later, he found more workers in the marketplace and sent them to his vineyard, promising fair pay. He did the same at noon, 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m.

That evening, the owner told his foreman to pay the workers, starting with those hired last. To their surprise, the latecomers received a full day’s wage. Those hired first expected more, but they received the same amount. Angry that they had worked all day in the heat for equal pay, they felt the owner was unfair.

The landowner stood his ground: “I am not cheating you. I am paying what you agreed to. If I choose to be generous, do I not have that right?” Jesus concludes, “The last shall be first and the first shall be last!”

 Many of us identify with the upset laborers because we value fairness. Yet Jesus challenges our usual ideas of fair play. The landowner chose to be generous, paying each worker a full day’s wage, whether they worked eight hours or thirty minutes. He was fair to those who worked all day because he paid what they had agreed upon.

 The workers grew jealous and complained. Do we ever feel resentful when others receive gifts, praise, or recognition we think they did not earn? Jealousy may not harm them, but it harms us, eating away at our peace. Comparing ourselves with others often leads us to judge them or ourselves, and both judgments do damage.

God alone judges with fairness and truth. We have no right to judge others, though we often do. Today, may we give thanks for our many blessings and let go of judgment, envy, and jealousy. In doing so, we will be happier and more at peace.