Last week, Jesus spoke to us in a parable. In today’s Gospel, he does the same. In doing so, Jesus encourages his faithful followers to widen their thinking, embrace the bigger picture, and seek a willingness to give.

Jesus’ parable takes place at a vineyard, where a landowner begins his day negotiating a fair wage for work. By dawn, workers have already set out to tend the land.  

All day, from morning to evening, the landowner hires additional workers to serve. When the day concludes, he calls his employees to collect their pay—starting with those who worked the shortest day. Despite the various hours served, everyone receives the same compensation.  

As one might expect, the workers present since dawn are upset.  

“These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.”  

You might be considering how this is fair—how this is truly equal. Through the landowner’s rebuttal to his frustrated employees, we learn that no agreement has been broken. No contract made unjust. What the frustrated employees see as unfair is actually generosity.  

“Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?” pressed the landowner.  

Here, we are reminded of God’s graciousness and commitment to all people, equally. No matter the circumstances, God is as willing to give to one as he is to give to another.  

At CMMB, we embrace our mission with this very commitment to all people, equally. Need is our compass and generosity is the means to lifesaving service. And when we look towards the big picture, we see you, our faithful supporter. You make our delivery of healthcare, no matter the circumstances, possible.