Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
When I was young I remember having a conversation with my father where I asked him, “How is it that my allowance is one dollar a week and the neighbor boys allowance is twenty dollars a week?” My dad’s response felt very strange to me at the time. “First of all son, comparison is often the root of evil.” And then he asked me, “Do you think that your friend has better parents than you because they give their children so much money?” I said, “Of course not.” Then my father reminded me that while we did not have that kind of money, he tried to give me something more than money, dad gave us his time. He explained that our time together was worth more than any amount of money.
In having compared allowances, I partly made these relationships about money, when in truth those memories of our family’s playful times are irreplaceable. Think of what happens when we compare ourselves to others. We think the grass is greener on the other side. And somehow this perception empowers us to grumble and respond with unchristian behaviors. Certainly the citizens of Shechem saw it that way. They looked at all the other nations around them and saw that they had kings. Then Abimbelech built on this envy, even killing his seventy half-brothers so that he alone could be king. The reading’s images of the trees are to challenge the people to realize the costs of allowing this evil kingship and again an invitation to make the Lord alone their King. What or whom do we make king in our lives? How does it cost us?
In today’s gospel the vineyard is a metaphor for the Kingdom of heaven and the landowner represents God. Notice how the landowner is continually inviting the people to come work in the vineyard. They are invited to work instead of staying idle. How is the Lord inviting us to work in the vineyard? And more importantly how are we responding to this invitation? In the parable the workers were all glad to have work until they realized the landowner’s payment plan. The workers who worked all day resented and were envious of those who started later. Instead of gratitude for the invitation they responded with grumbling as if they had been mistreated. How do we respond to God’s love and mercy for us? Even through the grumbling, notice how the Lord uses this story, and our stories to invite us to be grateful for the gifts we have been given.
Coming from very poor roots, Pius X, was able to appreciate what he had been given, especially his spiritual gifts. These gifts led him to invite children to the Eucharistic table. Pius’ spiritual gifts also allowed him to recognize and challenge the ill treatment of the poor. Sadly, these gifts also help him see the impending war that began on the eleventh anniversary of his papacy. Knowing the destruction that lay ahead broke his heart. How he wished to invite the world beyond the suffering it faced.
"Good and Loving God, You continually call us to appreciate our own lives, and not worry about the lives of those around us. Guide us to be grateful for the blessings You bestow upon us. So, that we respond to this invitation of love in a way that draws not only ourselves but invites all of those around us to grow closer to You who is our only King, both now and forever. Amen!"
- Mike Montgomery