September 18 , 2008 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Proper 20 Commentary by Marjorie Suchocki

See also: [2008] [2002]

Exodus 16:2-15 (16-21)
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16 (focus text)

Matthew 20:1-16  
The Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard. In the early church, the parable was taken as an image of the equal value between Jewish and Gentile believers. For the tensions that existed between these two groups, refer to Acts 15 or Galatians 3:27-29, and above all, to the first three chapters of Ephesians. The whole point of the latter is that the believing Gentiles are fully accepted into the community of faith; Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition (the reference is to the Synagogue) that previously divided them. The parable is also taken to refer to the validity of the infant Christian community which, like its older sibling, Judaism, is now made a part of God’s people. The force of the parable, then, is not a lesson in economics—unless those economics be considered the “economy of God,” which is salvation.

The applications, of course are various: long established churches and newer ones (Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, for example?), long-time church members and newer members; culturally old Christianity and the burgeoning forms of Christianity in Africa .

The point of the parable is the boundless grace of God, which is as lavishly given to the new, the young, the culturally diverse, as to their older counterparts. Grace is not doled out according to our merits, be they status or deeds. Rather, it is provided faithfully to each and every person. Grace depends upon the character of God, not our own characters.

From a process perspective, of course, the parable witnesses to the continuously given call of God to every creature. This is an empowering call, faithfully offered in every instance of every life. Thus it is a gracious call, fitted to our situation, but governed by God’s gracious character. It is as available to the bleakest down-and-outer as it is to the disciplined saint. Because it is a call that suits us, it is a call that enables us to take the next step in our journey toward participation in a loving community. This community is God’s vineyard, God’s reign, God’s people. It is a community of grace.

Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki is Professor Emerita, Claremont School of Theology, and the author of several books, including Divinity and Diversity, God Christ Church, and In God's Presence. She is the executive director of Process & Faith and a co-director of the Center for Process Studies.

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