Wednesday August 20, 2025

Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard.

How is your workplace like? Do you have politics there? How much of your time do you spend there? Is everyone on the same page on what the task is?

When our Lord compared the Kingdom of Heaven like s vineyard and not a palace he entered into dangerous territory if I may say. Any workplace is complicated. There are politics that one has to learn, people who will stub you in the back but also we meet our best friends there. We meet people who change our lives for the better.

In this little example which our Lord shares we find the politics of payment. Those who went at first watch got paid the same amount as those who came in at the eleventh hour. We often emphasize this point when we preach how God will give eternal life to all.

But I think our Lord also is telling us that we can find God at work. We can find that the kingdom permeates everywhere even the workplace.

I have found the most Godly, holy people at work. Sometimes they will curse you out at the drop of a hat but they will also throw their bodies in front of you and protect you should you be attacked. As I continue to mourn a dear friend I met at work, I remember all the ways she announced the kingdom of heaven without mentioning God.