Day 194  |  Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Let me take you back to the Scripture I used on Sunday, Philippians 2:1-13 and the encouragement to imitate Christ.  Today, I want to quote a few hymns that are based on that scripture for your reflection.  So, read through the words and use them as a time of meditation.

 “Precious Name” words by Lydia Baxter, 1870 (Phil. 2:9-11)
1.   “Take the name of Jesus with you, child of sorrow and of woe;
     it will joy and comfort give you; take it then, where’er you go.

(Refrain)
Precious name, O how sweet! 
Hope of earth and joy of heaven. 
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven.”

2.   “Take the name of Jesus ever, as a shield from every snare;
     if temptations round you gather, breathe that holy name in prayer.”

(Refrain)
Precious name, O how sweet! 
Hope of earth and joy of heaven. 
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven.”

3.   “O the precious name of Jesus!  How it thrills our souls with joy,
    when his loving arms receive us, and his songs our tongues employ!”

(Refrain)
Precious name, O how sweet! 
Hope of earth and joy of heaven. 
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven.”

4.   “At the name of Jesus bowing, falling prostrate at his feet,
     King of kings in heaven we’ll crown him, when our journey is complete.”

(Refrain)
 Precious name, O how sweet! 
Hope of earth and joy of heaven. 
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heaven.”

“He Is Lord” Words: Philippians 2:9-11
“He is Lord, he is Lord! 
He is risen form the dead and he is Lord! 
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
 
“All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine” words: F. Bland Tucker, 1938 (Phil. 2:5-11)
1.   “All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine, didst yield the glory that of right was thine, that in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine: Alleluia! Alleluia!”

2.   “Thou cam’st to us, in lowliness of thought; by thee the outcast and the poor were sought, and by thy death was God’s salvation wrought: Alleluia! Alleluia!”

3.   “Let this mind be in us which was in thee, who wast as servant, that we might be free, humbling thyself to death on Calvary: Alleluia! Alleluia!”

4.   Wherefore, by God’s eternal purpose, thou are high exalted o’er all creatures now, and given the name to which all knees shall bow: Alleluia! Alleluia!”

5.   “Let every tongue confess with one accord in heaven and earth that Jesus Christ is Lord; and God the Father be by all adored: Alleluia! Alleluia!”
 
“Jesus! The Name High over All” words: Charles Wesley, 1749 (Phil. 2:9-11)
1.   “Jesus! the name high over all, in hell or earth or sky; angels and mortals prostrate fall, and devils fear and fly.”

2.   “Jesus! the name to sinners dear, the name to sinners given; it scatters all their guilty fear, it turns their hell to heaven.”

3.   “O that the world might taste and see the riches of his grace!  The arms of love that compass me would all the world embrace.”

4.   “Thee I shall constantly proclaim, though earth and hell oppose; bold to confess thy glorious name before a world of foes.”

5.   “His only righteousness I show, his saving truth proclaim; ‘tis all my business here below to cry, “Behold the Lamb!”’
​
6.   “Happy, if with my latest breath I may but gasp his name, preach him to all and cry in death, “Behold, behold the Lamb!”’
 
Lord, let these words be my prayer today.  I desire to be like Jesus as much as humanly possible for me.  At the name of Jesus, I bow and confess he is Lord.  Hear my prayer.  Amen
 

Day 193  |  Monday, 28 September 2020
​
From the Church Mouse
 
This might be a good time for some levity.  Levity can mean light-heartedness, carefreeness, light-mindedness, as well as treating a serious matter with humor.  The following is offered to give you a chuckle.

JOKE
 A thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.

It was one day in the fall of the year at Christ First United Methodist Church. The Rev. was putting on his robe and getting ready for the service.

A few minutes before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking.

Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate.

Soon everyone had exited the church except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seeming oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy was in his presence.

So, Satan walked up to the old man and said, "Don't you know who I am?"

The man replied, "Yep, sure do."

"Aren't you afraid of me?" Satan asked. "

“Nope, sure ain't," said the man.

"Don't you realize I can kill you with a word?" asked Satan. "

“Don't doubt it for a minute," returned the old man, in an even tone.

"Did you know that I could cause you profound, horrifying, physical AGONY... for all eternity?" persisted Satan. "

“Yep," was the calm reply.

“"And you're still not afraid?" asked Satan.

“Nope."

More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, "Well, why aren't you afraid of me?"

The man calmly replied, "Been married to your sister for the last 48 years”!

​Cartoon
A cartoon is a simple drawing showing the features of its subjects in a humorously exaggerated way. It is also a caricature , a parody, a lampoon or a satire.  

​Day 192  |  Sunday, 27 September 2020

COVID-19 update – 654 cases, 154 in zip code 14701

 The assigned Scripture readings for this the 17th Sunday after Pentecost are: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13 and Matthew 21:23-32.

 Philippians 2:1-13, The Message – Imitate Christ
  1 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care -
2 then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.
3 Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. (3 Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves – from the CEB)
4 Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
5 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.
6 He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.
7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!
8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death - and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever,
10 so that all created beings in heaven and on earth - even those long ago dead and buried - will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ,
11 and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
12 What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.
13 That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

.Wesleyan Core Term – Mind of Christ
 “Wesley desired for Christ to be understood as the common head of all believers, as God is the common Father and as all drink from one Spirit.  The fruit of this recognition is that all are unified into one.  Every pastor and teacher has struggled with a lack of unity, maturity, and humility in the body of Christ.  Although Paul is filled with joy concerning the body at Philippi, he struggles with those around him who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry instead of goodwill.  To solve this issue, he encourages all to allow the mind of Christ to be their minds.  This mind does not remain individually focused but is other-centered, striving for unity.  Our rigid mind-sets need the softness of Christ’s mind.  Our confident minds need Christ’ humility to leave behind what is un-necessary so that we will serve others.  This transformed mind, in Christ, confesses Jesus Christ as Lord.”  Wesley Study Bible, CEB page 1496.
​
 Holy God, we come to you today seeking the mind of Christ.  We confess that sometimes we are selfish, and we do not put others before ourselves.    We need the softness of Christ’s mind.  We need Christ’s humility.  Lord, hear our prayers.  Amen.

Day 191 | Saturday, 26 September 2020
​
From the Church Mouse

 I am reprinting the editorial from The Post Journal from September 22, 2020 in case you have not read it.  John Whittaker, managing editor.

 “Great Justice ‘Inspired’ Many”

“The Notorious RBG, as some admirers referred to her, is gone.  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday, at 87, of cancer.’

“She was an icon to Americans with certain political positions – a scourge to others.  Already, the battle over a successor has become heated, with ideology at the heart of the controversy.”

“It says something about Ginsburg, however, that during the hours after her death, leaders from throughout the political spectrum poured forth praise freely and with no reservations.”

“Her written opinions as a justice ‘have inspired all Americans and generations of great legal minds,’ said President Donald Trump.”

“Ginsburg ‘never failed in the fierce and unflinching defense of liberty and freedom,’ said Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden.”

“Former President George W. Bush put his finger on an important aspect of her legacy.  Ginsburg ‘inspired more than one generation of women and girls,’ he wrote.”

“Indeed, she did.  At a time when glass ceilings remain a concern for many women and girls, Ginsburg showed that it is possible for a female to ascend – through dedication, skill and hard work – to the very pinnacle of political power in our nation.  We often think of presidents in that role, but in some of her votes and opinions as a justice, Ginsburg wielded more real power than any president.”

“Her courage and dedication to what she believed was right stood out.  At an age when most people feel they have contributed enough and are entitled to the joys of retirement, Ginsburg fought on.  Simply because she feared that if she retired, her successor would not hold similar ideals, she refused to retire, even as she battled cancer.”

“Whether we agree or disagree with her positions, Ginsburg provided a model of standing up for what one believes to be right.”

“And, it has been pointed out, she disagreed without rancor.  Among her closest friends while on the court was the late Justice Antonin Scalia.”

“That, too, is a model to which many Americans ought to look.”

“Her decisions as a justice will not be missed by a significant number of people.  Her way of pursuing what she saw as right and of serving as a role model – for men as well as women – will be missed sorely.”
 
This is what I plan to focus upon….The Church Mouse

 

​Day 190  |  Friday, 25 September 2020

 A Beginning: Hope
“There is something deeper than trouble.  It is mercy.  God's amazing grace; carrying, lifting, holding us in all seasons.  There is something more powerful than despair.  It is mercy. God's amazing love; seeing us through dark nights, waves of sadness, mountains of grief.  There is something longer lasting than pain.  It is mercy.  God's healing touch; bringing us hope, leading us to joy, teaching us to sing.”

 An Invocation:
“We come in prayer to you, O God. As we worship you and as our citizens are in prayer, may it be a time of sincerity and of deep communion with you. Keep us from practicing the forms of religion instead of seeking the power of Christ. Through your dynamic Spirit may we find the strength needed for every occasion in life. Amen.”

 A Prayer of confession:
“We come humbly before you, O Lord, confessing that we need spiritual renewal. Putting Band-Aids on the sins of our spirits will not do, Lord. We know that we need a thorough overhaul, a total reconstruction of our spirits that once came so fresh from your creative hand. Our minds need adjusting that they may be more in tune with the truths that come from you. Our emotions need to be fine-tuned that they may repel anger and resonate with kindness.

Our hearts need to throb with sincere caring and love for all of your children of whatever race, whatever social standing. Our hands and feet need to be guided into your service, O God, that we may work to solve earth's problems rather than be the creators of them.  In short, we need total renewal, O God, and only you can adequately give us this blessing. Therefore, we await the ministry of your Holy Spirit. Amen.”

 An Affirmation of Faith: The Wisdom of God
(Luke 9:24; 13:30; Matthew 5:44; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25)
“We believe these "foolish" mysteries of God's kingdom: that those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for Christ's sake will save it; that some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last; that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us; that Christ's power is made perfect in our weakness.

We believe that God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For we believe that God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.”
​
 A Prayer “Our World”
“God of power and might, we come to this time from the world in hopes that you give us discernment and peace. Our world is filled with strife and greed - we pray for the victims of war, our government, the forgotten, the lost.  Help us to be a people who make a difference, not only through our prayers, our votes and our hopes, but also by our witness to the world. Teach us to treat others as we would be treated. Keep us from depersonalizing those we don't know and treating them as statistics. Help us to remember that each person has feeling and hope and no one is so foreign that he or she deserves to be forgotten. Grant us the wisdom and power to take from this time the will to make a difference where we are and wherever we might be in this world, as you have made a difference in us. Amen.”

Day 189  |  Thursday, 24  September 2020

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS I HAD A GOOD DAY!

A Beginning: Justice and Mercy
“Let justice roll down like water.  Let mercy bloom like a flower.  Let all God's people join hands and none be excluded.  Let differences be like presents to open.  Let strangers turn into our best friends. Raise your voice against injustice; sing a new song of hope.  Let God fill you with love; let God chase away fear.  Walk with Jesus the paths of peace and bring in the promised day.”

 An Invocation:
“Holy God, source of story and song, help us hear your Word in the midst of these words. Help us feel your heart-wrenching care in the midst of troubled days. Help us know your abiding presence. We open our hearts, minds and hands to receive. Fill us and bless us. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Confession: Peace and Justice
“God beyond our grasp, source of blessing and hope, we turn to you with questions in our hearts. Can we find some common ground upon which to build a new community? Can we confess our racism and find a deeper love beyond all color? Can we cast out fear, let go of "succeeding-at-all-costs" and trust you for our needs? Can we talk instead of fight, disarm instead of esca-late, take a risk for peace instead of preparing for war?

Great God of life, you love this world and grieve when we cause harm to any of its people. You are saddened by hungry families, warring tribes, abused children.
God, source of hope, bringer of peace, restore in us a vision of a human community where all are valued, and peace is a daily offering. Hear our prayer, God of justice and peace. Amen.”

 A Prayer for Peace:
“Holy God, weave praise into the fabric of our days so our lives become a blessing to others. Weave peace into our words and deeds so hatred and anger are disarmed. Weave love into our work so accomplishments are imbued with humility. Weave kindness into our actions so the world becomes a joyous place to live. Weave hope into every encounter so we may testify to God's continuing resurrection. Weave songs into our worship so our morning might echo in praise to God. Amen.”

 A Prayer for Division:
“Redeemer God, you have sent us Christ to show us the way, and yet our hearts are troubled. We are a divided people. Even Paul wrote in his letters to the newborn churches what they must do to be unified even in their diversity.

Teach us this lesson, O God. Teach us to love brother and sister as your children, even when we disagree. Teach us not to build coalitions, but to seek solutions. Teach us not to invest in being offended, but to pour our energy into understanding. We pray to you that our hearts do not become hardened but remain open - even to a middle way.

O God, when our anxiety is high, it is easy to forget that we have pledged our lives to you. Guide us, even when you are hard to hear, and help us to work toward the good of your creation, whatever that means for our future. Amen.”

 A Blessing: “Let us now put aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely. Let us do it now. Amen.”

 Today: prayers for peace for those suffering from injustices.
 

Day 188, September 23, 2020
​
This is the first full day of fall.  Noon prayer time.

 A Beginning: “Now is the moment of grace.  This is a day of blessing.  Today is the day of salvation.  Here is the path to new life.  Already joy is abounding, and love is flowing.  For this is the day God is making.  Let us rejoice in it.”

 An Invocation:
“O Lord God, you fill heaven and earth with your presence, and your eyes have watched over all from the foundation of the earth.  We have heard the distant sound of your voice in prophets and apostles from long ago.  But we are hard of hearing, so hard of hearing.  Our eyes are dim and cannot see.  Come nearer, Lord, and touch us with your presence.  Lay your hand upon our hearts to bring forth your praise.  Amen.”

 A Litany for the Earth:

“For the beauty of the earth, brilliant in design, exquisite in detail,

We thank you, great Creator.

For the reliable patterns of sun and shadow, warmth and cold,

We praise you for the cycles that sustain life.

For the wonder of birth and the reverent return of all things to the earth,

We wonder at the mystery and majesty of your ways.

For the blossoming abundance by which we are fed, clothed and sheltered,

Accept our grateful hearts.

For sparkling waters and refreshing rain,

We bless you and rejoice.

For places of wildness and solitude that restore our souls,

We thank you with all our heart and strength.

For challenging heights, hidden depths and mysteries that motivates us to search and to stretch our abilities.

We thank you with all our wit and wisdom.

For pure light, clear colors, striking contrasts,

We thank you with joy in our eyes.

For all beckoning paths and the hope of tomorrow,

We thank you and praise you, now and forever, Amen.”

 A Prayer of Devotion to God
Lord, we often walk either carelessly or with too much care, through our daily duties and diversions, so that we lose sight of the path you have set before us that leads straight to you.  As your Son said to Martha, who was occupied in so many things, ‘one thing is needful.’  Help us to remember our true calling, to serve and glorify you.  You call us to come apart and rest awhile, to sit at your feet in quietness.  We think now of the one commandment that you called the greatest, that we should love God with all our heats, minds and strength.  With our whole beings, and with everything that is in us, let us praise your holy name,  As Mary Magdalene poured upon your head that sweet perfume of devotion, so let us pour upon you the essence of our devotion, to the glory of your name.  Amen.”

 A Blessing: “May your day know God’s surprising grace, Christ’s incredible peace, and the Spirit’s unquenchable joy.”
 

Day 187, September 22, 2020

Today: restaurants and the wait staff and cooks.

 Sadly, we in the US have gone beyond 200,000 deaths due to the COVID-19.  I stand with science and urge us all to remain alert and cautious.

 A Beginning: Autumn
“Abundance everywhere! God's creation overflowing with wonder. A delicate spider's web sparkling with morning dew; cool, fresh air on a fall afternoon; a crisp apple and the smell of pumpkin pie; a warm sweater and a tender embrace.  God's love and grace, lavish, abundant and ever-present, a sense of presence in the quiet moments of prayer, a deep joy in the midst of a song.  God's blessings, generous and abundant, causing us to sing.”

 An Invocation:
Holy God, as we enter into a new season of the year, we admit that we are not ready.  Be with us as we welcome fall with all of its colors, harvests and blessings.  We praise you for this time of year and that you journey with us.  Bless this fall season in the midst of an abnormal year.  Lead us precious Lord.  Amen

 A Prayer of Confession:
“Loving God, with silent persistence and prophetic witness you have loved every person and all of creation. You ache every time we destroy beauty, every time we harm one another, every time greed squashes kindness. You see when we ignore the outstretched hand and turn a deaf ear to cries for help. Merciful God, forgive us and let us take up the challenge to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly on the earth. Forgive us and let your Spirit fill us with courage. Forgive us and remind us of the ways you bless us. Never let us forget your all-embracing love! In Jesus' name. Amen.”
 
An Affirmation of Faith:
“We believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of Moses and David; of Elijah and Isaiah.

We believe in the God of Sarah, Rebekkah and Rachel; of Miriam and Ruth; of Deborah and Esther.

We believe in Jesus, the incarnate God, who visited us at Bethlehem, who lived with us in Galilee, who died for us at Calvary, and who exploded the power of death on Easter morning.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of God among us, and is the Spirit of Christ within us.  This we believe.”

 A Prayer:
We have seen the frost on our roofs.  The crisp morning air has returned, and we feel ourselves moving into a new season.  Thanks be to you, O God for the seasons we experience in this part of the world.  Thanks be to you, O God for the seasons we experience in life.  We have turned up the thermostats and fired up the furnace.  We have gone into our closets and found sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets and other fall clothing.  Thanks be to you, O God for those who manufacture.
“Let fall colors remind us of you and the way you made the world more magnificent than any artist might even have imagined. And let our joy increase and spread. Through Jesus Christ, a man who really knew how to live, we say Amen.”

 A Blessing:
“May the goodness and mercy of the Lord be with us all now and forever. And may our service to God be diligent and unwavering all the days of our lives. In Christ's name. Amen.”

 Quote: Our changed lives might be the only gospel some people will ever read. -Elaine Roulet

I am sharing a post from my daughter’s Facebook page for your reflection.
​
“I Miss 9/12”
I would never ever want another 9/11, but I miss the America of 9/12.
Stores ran out of flags to sell because they were being flown everywhere.
People were Americans before they were upper or lower class, Jewish or Christian, Republican or Democrat.
We hugged people without caring if they ate at Chic-Fil-A or wore Nikes. 
On 9/12, what mattered more was what UNITED us. Than what divided us.
 
 
 

 
 

​Day 186, September 21, 2020

From the Church Mouse

I have relied on Snopes’ for years to truth check everything. It is essential now because there is so much to fact check that Snopes’ keeps my head from exploding. This is a free service funded by people who become members due to their love of the truth. It does not accept funding from any other source. Membership is not required.

 I recently used Snopes’ when it came to my attention during the 9/11 remembrances that our government had removed the health insurance funding from all FDNY personnel who had fallen ill from working at the pile for such a long time. Since I didn’t believe that could be true, I asked Snopes’. It was true.

 I offer this resource to you if you are interested.

   The site's name, Snopes’ is derived from the newsgroup handle of one of its creators, David Mikkelson, who used it as early as 1993. It is taken from the last name of a family that appears in three of William Faulker ’s novels.
 
About Snopes’:
Snopes is the internet’s definitive fact-checking resource.
 When misinformation obscures the truth and readers don’t know what to trust, Snopes’ fact-checking and original, investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis. We always document our sources, so readers are empowered to do independent research and make up their own minds.

Snopes got its start in 1994, investigating urban legends, hoaxes, and folklore. Founder David Mikkelson, later joined by his wife, was publishing online before most people were connected to the internet. As demand for reliable fact checks grew, so did Snopes. Now it’s the oldest and largest fact-checking site online, widely regarded by journalists, folklorists, and readers as an invaluable research companion.

Snopes.com is an independent publication owned by Snopes Media Group. Explore our FAQ to learn more about us, or consider becoming a Snopes member. If you have any questions, please let us know.
​
Our Process
·         Transparency
·         Frequently Asked Qs
·         Fact Check Ratings
·         Send Us a Tip
Dig Deeper
·         Our Team
·         Disclosures
·         Media Mentions
·         Archives
 

Day 185  |  Sunday,  20 September 2020

 The assigned scripture lessons for this the 16th Sunday after Pentecost are: Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; or Psalm 78; Philippians 1:21-30 and Matthew 20:1-16.

Matthew 20:1-16 The Message
1 "God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2 They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.  
3 "Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed.
4 He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage.  
5 They went.
6 At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?  
7 ' "They said, 'Because no one hired us.' "He told them to go to work in his vineyard.  
8 "When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, 'Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.'  
9 "Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar.
10 When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar.  
11 Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager,
12 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.'  
13 "He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we?  
14 So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you.
15 Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?'
 16 "Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first."
 
What is your first reaction after reading this parable? 

Jesus is ushering in a new age from that of the Pharisees and Sadducees who are the keepers of the Law and very legalistic about how things should be interpreted.  This is just one of Jesus’s parables that makes one’s head spin. 

Let’s title this parable “Astonished by Grace.”  “It provides a glimpse of the grace which is determinative in the New Age, and in so doing, it portrays the threat which grace represents to our conventional expectations.” (The Parables of Jesus: Glimpses of the New Age by Neal F. Fisher, pp 74-75.)

In most other translations, the wage is one denarius for a 12 hour day.  That would have been a generous wage in that time. Here we have the last will be first concept.  Those who were hired last were paid first.  Those hired first were watching and probably raising their expectations for a higher wage but that was not to be.  So, naturally they began to complain – this was just not fair.  The employer responds by asking – Can’t I do what I want with my own money?  Why should they begrudge him his generosity? 

“The question was no longer why the employer distributed that which was his as he did; rather the question was why they begrudged him the right to do with his money what he out of sheer goodness chose to do.” Ibid p 75

We try to wrap our minds around God’s amazing grace and here it is – sheer incalculable grace at work.  When the Pharisees understood this parable, they were incensed.  Afterall, they had invested their entire lives to serious study of the Law.  Here, those who walk into the Kingdom at the last minute become equal in status.  WOW! Not fair.

“Perhaps only those who know that they cannot measure up are prepared to hear of grace as good news.  To have faith is to embrace this possibility and to discover grace as hope and vindication for our lives.  Those who believe that they have secured the basis for such vindication elsewhere will likely view this as offense and disruption.” Ibid p 77
​
 Holy God, it is your grace to extend in any way you choose.  Why should we object?  Lord, hear our prayers.