Best for others

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary give us the opportunity to consider how we connect the things we do for others to what is best for us. The episode today from the Book of Judges gives a response from Jotham son of Gideon when Abimelech, one of his brothers is made king of the Israelites, as Friar Jude Winkler reminds us, in violation of the method of charismatic choice for “judges of Israel”. Jewish scholars do not include Abimelech in the list of proper “judges”. The ascent of this power hungry male offspringof Gideon is marked by murder and violence. This is an extreme example wherein the amount of good for the people who he rules is minimal and the amount of personal gain is maximized. We hear the psalmist praise the generous treatment of King David by God. The mix of good for the people and self satisfaction in this ruler of Israel is certainly more like the shepherding intended to be practiced in response to the will of God. The Gospel from Matthew establishes a very challenging standard for what our work should provide for us. We should be satisfied with the “fair day’s wage” regardless of how much work we are required to do in that day. The wage is to sustain our lives. It is given Providently to all who come to the vineyard to work. Our call to the vineyard may come early in the day, or at noon or at the end of the day. When we accept the call to work in the Vineyard, we have our personal needs taken care of by the Owner of the Vineyard. Our challenge is to rejoice in the generosity of God who attends to the Life of all who come, regardless of their “time of life”.