God's Generosity

Homily for Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

The first reading from the Book of Judges is written in the style of a fable – a story with characters that take the place of humans and presents some kind of moral. We are familiar with many different fables; however, this fable may not be all that familiar.

The olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine all represent or are symbols of good gifts from God. They represent prosperity, comfort, safety, and abundance. At the same time, they stand as symbols of human selfishness, unwilling to give up their individual lives for the sake of others. The buckthorn is a thorny bush. The call to take refuge in its shadow is striking in that such a weed does not even offer comfort or shade. Instead, fiery pain comes from these thorns which devour the cedars of Lebanon.

Jotham, one of the judges, warns the people about accepting a foreign king to rule over them rather than obeying their true king, Almighty God. The stark warning Jotham offers provides an opportunity to reflect on who or what we turn to when we need help or hope in the midst of our suffering. If we turn to good things instead of to the Giver of these good things, they lose their sweetness and become just as oppressive as the buckthorn.

Today’s Gospel passage tells of the workers who think they are being treated unjustly when everyone receives the same wage. Instead of departing in gratitude for the fair wages they earned, they grumble that others have received more than they ought. Just as in the first reading, these workers display poor judgment in spite of the goodness God so generously shares with us.

Our Eucharist is by definition an act of gratitude at the generosity of our God who shares grace and life to those who consider God the King of their lives.