Learning from Divine Wisdom

                                               

Divine Wisdom : Understanding the logic of the Kingdom of God.  

(Isaiah 55, 6-9. Mt 20, 1-16).

 

Isaiah 55:6-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways”, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts." These words conclude today's first reading from the prophet Isaiah.

Renewing the Covenant and God’s Mercy: In Isaiah 55, God promised to renew His covenant with the Israelites, the promise He made to King David, inviting the people to turn away from their wicked ways and evil deeds. He assures them that He will have mercy on them and freely pardon their offenses. God's ways and thoughts are above ours because, though He exists beyond time and space as we know it, He has made Himself close to us in Christ Jesus. He is like a caring father guiding his child in the right direction, encouraging  him to avoid paths that lead to dead ends or nowhere.

Relevance of the Prophetic message of Isaiah today: The message of God to humanity through the prophet Isaiah remains relevant. As our creator, God perfectly understands what we need to be happy. Everything God says and does is aimed at helping us experience the fullness of life that comes from Him. The way we conceive and think about God matters significantly. In Jeremiah 29:11-14, God says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the LORD, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Human Free Will and the Temptation of Rebellion: Unfortunately, mankind, in the exercise of their free will and liberty, often goes against God's word. This rebellion, which began when Lucifer rebelled against God and successfully deceived some angels to join him in his rebellious acts, continues to this day (Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelation 12:7-10). After being cast down to the earth, Lucifer and his fallen angels continue to deceive people, leading some to doubt God's existence, make accusations against God, and reject God's plan of salvation, which was perfectly accomplished in Christ Jesus.

The Kingdom of God: Collaborating with Divine Creation: Jesus came to be one of us to establish the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. In today's Gospel, Jesus uses parables once again to illustrate the Kingdom of God (or the Kingdom of Heaven). He compares it to a landowner who went out at various hours of the day to hire laborers for his vineyard. Some he made agreements with regarding their wages, while with others, he promised to give them “what is just.”

The key message that Jesus conveys here is twofold: First, God has assigned us the duty of collaborating with His work of creation since the time of Adam. This touches on the question of ecology and the impact of human activities on creation. God doesn't want us to remain idle because He knows that an idle mind can become a devil's workshop. Unfortunately, unemployment or underemployment is a reality experienced by many people worldwide.

Secondly, Jesus teaches us that divine justice goes beyond the question of merits; it is founded on divine love. At the heart of divine justice is the sacrificial love of Jesus on the Cross, where He made atonement for our sins (Romans 5:8). 2 Corinthians 5:21 perfectly expresses this divine love: “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sins, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

Our response to God’s free offer of Salvation: We are to live our Christian lives as a response to this free divine offer of salvation. In the light of today’s parable, Jesus is telling us that on the day of the final judgment, divine justice will prevail. He also questions our image of God. When those who were first employed received their wages, they grumbled against the landowner and complained because they expected to receive more. The landowner questioned one of the first laborers, “Are you envious because I am generous?” They were motivated by the spirit of meritocracy.

One of the temptations that  some Christians face is comparing  themselves with others and feeling that others are more blessed by God than they are. Jesus reminds us today that all is grace, and words of gratitude should never be absent from our lives. There are always reasons to be grateful to God. A grateful heart has no time to envy others or accuse God.

May we always remember that the thoughts of God for us are thoughts of peace and not of evil, aimed at giving us a future and a hope.