Are you ready to leave everything behind to follow Jesus?

 


Saint Bernard, Abbot, Doctor 


Judges 9:6-15

Psalm 20(21):2-7

Matthew 20:1-16


What is it about this parable that grabs our attention and stirs something deep within us? What aspects of our experience are challenged and provoked? Let’s be honest—our initial reaction often is, “That’s just not fair!” How can everyone receive the same wage when they didn’t all put in the same effort?



This powerful story in Matthew’s Gospel follows right after the encounter with the rich young man. Jesus challenges him to sell everything and become a disciple, but he leaves feeling disheartened. Then Peter pipes up, asking Jesus, “We’ve given everything to follow you! What’s in it for us?” And here comes the shocking parable—everyone receives equal pay, regardless of when they started following! It’s a mind-bending concept that stirs up our human instincts. It’s hard for us to wrap our heads around. We often grumble and walk away with a heavy heart…



But here’s the twist—the vineyard owner fulfilled his promise, paying everyone what they agreed to! That raises the real question: what do we agree to? Are we truly followers of Jesus? Do we let the gospel illuminate every aspect of our lives? Not just the easy parts or the comfortable bits, but the challenging calls to action too? Are we like Peter, who lists his sacrifices and wonders what reward he deserves compared to those who have done less? Or are we ready to pour out our actions from a place of love—love for God, for others, and for ourselves?


When we feel ourselves bristling and getting defensive, do we take a moment to pause and ask God to help us uncover the root of that reaction? What emotions lie beneath our resistance? How can we open our hearts to receive God’s boundless generosity, love, mercy, and forgiveness? What transformations might God be prompting us to explore within ourselves?



Are we ready to leave behind everything—our judgments, biases, fears, and defensiveness—to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? Can we celebrate the fact that God’s love is expansive enough to reach everyone? And what about us—does our generosity match that?

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