August 19, 2020 - 20th week of Ordinary Time - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 20, 1-16a - It is alive, effective, the word of God; it judges the intentions and thoughts of the heart.

God does not think in the same way as we humans, we are accustomed to ratiocate, and we seek to organize before God who created and ordained the universe. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven does not lend itself to our mode of calculation. The example Jesus gives is clear: the reward does not depend on hours of work, as we humans are accustomed to conceive it. The only goal God wants for us is that we all enter His kingdom, for that kingdom is one that does not discriminate, does not show partiality, does not behave indecently, does not take bribes, does not take pleasure, does not envy, but reserves a just share for all, and at all times; it is the kingdom of perfect love. It is therefore not right to command before God.

After all, when something goes wrong with our desires, we tend to grumble. Here, out of jealousy, the first hire hoped to make more profit, but only the agreed salary was paid. The owner of the vineyard paid what was due, what did he do wrong? Then let's not argue about who gets the other's share! Let's not be jealous, the demon is the father of jealousy. Let's remember that we are children of God through baptism, so let's not give in to demons.

Sometimes we also sin out of pessimism and bias. Breathless with hatred, we cannot or will not see the good that others do. Likewise, complacent, we cannot or will not see the faults of our friends.

Finally, St. Matthew repeats in the Gospel in chapters 19, 30 and 20, 16a: "The last shall be first and the first shall be last". So let us not be proud for the first places, let us not be idle but always active and let us not be jealous of the neophytes but let us help and encourage each other always. Because everyone has his or her place in the Lord's vineyard. Amen.