Sunday's gospel was Matthew 20: 1-16a about the landowner who paid his workers the same wage regardless of the number of hours they worked. This gospel and the Prodigal Son gospel always evoke, "Hey! that's not fair!" emotions in me. Gut reaction. "The 'good' son/workers did the right things, but the bad son/late workers get the rewards too!"
What I forget in these gospels is that Jesus is talking about Heaven-duh Karen! I remember in religion class in the third grade, Sister Raymunda (God rest her soul) explaining to us that if a criminal repented of his sins on his deathbed and converted to Christianity at the moment before he died, all would be forgiven and God would welcome him in Heaven (it was implied that he would probably have to spend some time in Purgatory for his sinful ways, but he wouldn't be going to Hell at any rate...). Of course the sinful person would have to be sincere (But hey! I think God would be able to tell how sincere someone is!!), but s/he'd have the same shot at redemption as the rest of us God-fearing folk.
Is that fair? Sure it is, and as a matter of fact I find it very comforting. Even up to my last minute here on Earth I can sincerely tell God I'm sorry for my sins and God will welcome me. Does that mean I can live a hedonistic life until the minute before I die? No, of course not! If I truly am a Christian I want to live as godly a life as I can out of love for God, but for those workers who arrived late in the day, those brothers and sisters who come to Christ later in their lives, the opportunity is there for them to share God's love in Heaven. What a wonderful, hope message! God isn't out to zing us for our mess ups- God just wants to welcome us into His arms.
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