HIGHER WAYS

 

Recently, my wife was having a phone conversation with our granddaughter about her brother’s birthday. Cindy asked her if her brother got the gift that we mailed. After responding, our granddaughter asked, “Did you get me a present?” “No,” said Cindy, “It’s not your birthday.” “But why didn’t you get me a present too?” she asked.

Even though we are generous to all of our grandchildren, each of them wants an additional gift every time we give one to the birthday child.

Our Gospel shows that the workers who arrived early got the same pay as those who arrived late. The early birds were angry towards the owner who paid everyone the same because they thought that they deserved more since they worked longer.

This tells us that God’s ways are not our ways, but higher than ours. We may think we deserve more when someone else is given a gift, but that’s not how God wants us to be.

Each Sunday, we are blessed to witness God’s mercy when we hear the words of absolution after our confession of sins. We are blessed to hear the Gospel and eat and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus under the form of bread and wine.

God’s ways are above our ways. He gives His love and mercy to anyone who comes to Him without counting it out like a paycheck.

So, next time someone gives a present to your brother or sister, don’t ask, “Where’s mine?!” Instead, say to the adults, “I know you love all of us. Thank you for getting my brother/sister such a wonderful gift.”

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless all children, and give their fathers and mothers the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.