Our Venerable Father Simeon, the Fool for Christ (c. 580), and His Ascetical Companion John (527-65); Prophet Ezekiel
1 Corinthians 13:4-14:5; Matthew 20:1-16
Read Matthew 20:1-16
There are times when we use negative language to describe some aspect of His being – God is ineffable [too great to be described by words], incomprehensible [God is beyond our ability to be comprehended], etc., and other times when we use positive language – God is merciful, He is great, He is compassionate. After hearing the parable in today’s Gospel, we can certainly posit that God is generous! Those who were hired at the eleventh hour should have been paid one-twelfth of the wages of those hired at the beginning. At least that is what justice might demand. However, the vineyard owner (i.e., God) was very generous in giving eleven-twelfths as a pure gift!
Generosity is an aspect of who God is. It is something that is mirrored in our lives as Christians. And as we give way to the Lord in our lives, letting Him lead, we can receive the great fruit of His generosity – participation in the divine life!
St. John Chrysostom reflected on this in his famous homily for Pascha, you know, the one that is read at the end of Paschal Matins on the morning of the Resurrection:
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward.
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavour.
The deed He honours and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward.
Rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again,
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Saviour has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
“You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body and discovered God.
It took earth and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead.
For Christ, having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!