COMMENTARY ON THE LITURGY OF THE SEVENTH SUNDAY
Collect
O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and, reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Readings
1 Cor 9:24-27; Mt 20:1-15
The brief sporting metaphors used by Paul in his letter to the believers of Corinth are aimed at readers who are familiar with the Greek gymnasts and the Isthmian Games, which were held in the spring near the city, every two years.
As represented by Paul, living and proclaiming the gospel of Christ is not an easy walk but "a race", in which one can be victorious only through self-denial and continuous effort, toil, and sweat. If we imitate Jesus we will not risk staying halfway.
Paul presents self-control as necessary "for victory"; his purpose is to win the recipients of his apostolate to salvation. Shortly before, in fact, he had recalled the choice to carry out his ministry without asking for anything in return (1 Cor 9: 12-14) and his having made himself "servant of all" (1 Cor 9:19). Even the control of his impulses serves not to allow them to distract him from pastoral activity.
It is necessary to note that Paul used neither flagellation nor "self-inflicted suffering"; to reduce his own body to a docile instrument of the spirit, for him was enough sobriety, the manual labor with which he kept his living and the hardships and privations of his missionary life. In this regard, the Apostle affirms in his letter to the Colossians: "Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." (Col 2:20-23).
The hard work of the believer is recalled in the parable of the workers sent to the vineyard. The pay of those who stood in the square doing nothing is not established in advance, unlike the first called, who were promised a denarius. The workers in the parable who start working late are therefore willing because they accept the job without negotiating their own remuneration.
When the owner of the vineyard pays his workers he begins with the last, so that the first have a way of knowing how much they have been given. The workers of the first hour represent Israel which appeals to its obedience to the law as the right to receive a higher wage than the "workers of the last hour", that is, the pagans, to whom salvation has now been extended.
All receive equal compensation because all are saved by grace, and not by the works of the law. The owner of the vineyard is not unjust, but generous.
Jesus exhorts us not to remain idle, but to participate actively in the new creation, and to rejoice with him every time willing hands are added to his vineyard; because "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Lk 15:7).
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
