EDNESDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II
EZEKIEL 34:1-11, MATTHEW 20:1-16
THE FIRST SHALL BE LAST AND THE LAST FIRST
I once watched an athletic competition. In the 1,500 metres race, a particular contestant started very well and fast that everyone said he was going to win. As the race progressed, he began to get tired and others who were behind him started getting stronger and he was dropping in momentum. It was very shocking that at the end of the game, he came last.
In a particular parish, an argument ensued among the members of the church council and questioned why the priest would make someone who had just been baptized in the catholic faith the laity chairman. This goes a long way to prove that life is not all about when and how you start, but how you finish the race.
The story in the gospel reading of today is a very good illustration of our heavenly race. The owner of the vineyard called servants to work in his vineyard at different times. It was not the fault of the workers that they did not start the work on time, but those who started early became angry that those who came later were not only the first to be paid, but were paid the same amount with them.
It is very possible for one to be in a farm for 9 hours and not do as much work as one who only stayed for 5 hours. One can be a Christian for 50 years and not live as much good life as one who just got converted 2 years ago.
It is important therefore that we know that it is not how long we have been serving God that matters, but how well we have served him. We do not need to get angry if those who just got converted are putting in so much effort in serving God more than us who have been there for ages. The first christian to be baptised and someone baptised today are both Christians and are aiming at the same heaven. It is obviously not how far, but how well. May almighty God help us to serve him better. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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