Last week’s Gospel lesson created quite a discussion in my house. The laborerers in the vineyard in Matthew 20 have very different work experiences in the vineyard. Some work all day in the hot sun. Some only work from 5:00 in the afternoon. Yet the landowner pays each laborer, however late they come to the field, a day’s wage and calls it right. Is this justice or perhaps more than justice?
In preaching the text, I remembered a few definitions that had been shared with me by a sage woman in the church. This is what she said:
- Justice is getting what we deserve.
- Mercy is not getting what we deserve.
- Grace is getting what we don’t deserve…. like the blessing received by the laborers who came late to the work.
When I pray for justice, I am praying for an equality of treatment, fairness, even-handedness, righteousness. I also am opening myself up for judgment in those places where I live injustice and unfairness. When I call for justice, I am called to identify with the marginalized and the disenfranchaised of the world. I am called to examine how it is that I live in the world. How do I share what is good?
When I pray for mercy, I pray to be released from the sin of things I have done or left undone. I stand accused, a child who has gone away from the teaching of the parent. I come to the mercy seat in confession and humility with trust that in Christ, I am forgiven and welcomed home.
Praying for grace is praying for that which I do not deserve, life abundant and eternal, release from the burdens of unforgiveness and sin, love, joy, peace. Grace is God’s very nature and God’s ongoing gift to us. It is offered freely and lavishly, running down like oil on the beard of Aaron. The day’s wage, the enoughness of God, is what God wants to give all of us. Leaning into God, unlocking a heart that may be shut up tight, is the inward journey of faith. Lessons like the laborers in the vineyard call us to new ways of understanding the God who loves us and wants all good for us. So let us pray for grace, grace, God’s grace this day and know again the goodness of God. Amen.
