‘My thoughts are not your thoughts’
This week, the readings focus on God’s generosity, even if it is sometimes difficult for us to accept that God’s ways are not our ways.
In the First Reading, Isaiah encourages the people of Israel to seek the Lord and turn to him, so that they can experience his forgiveness and compassion.
The Psalm promises kindness and mercy to all who call on the Lord.
St Paul (Second Reading) speaks of his dilemma. He wants to be with Christ, but also realises that he is needed on earth to continue to preach the Gospel around him. Of two good things, he chooses the better: that is, to remain alive for the sake of the new Christians.
The Gospel further illustrates that God’s ways are not our ways, and that God’s generosity is without bounds. Here, Jesus tells the parable of the vine workers: all will be paid the same amount, regardless of the number of hours they have spent in the field. This story helps us understand that in God’s eyes, those who turned to God later in life are worth just as much as those who have followed him from the beginning.
In our prayer this week, we may like to meditate further on God’s unconditional love and generosity for us all, and remind ourselves that his ways are not our ways.
