It is during His last journey to Jerusalem that Our Lord Jesus Christ tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. In it, the Saviour reveals the extreme goodness that emanates from His Divine Heart.

In the labour of the harvest, a good number of extra workers were needed. Thus, the head of the household goes out, several times throughout the day, in search of workers. In an analogous way, God proceeds with us: at a certain moment in our lives, He invites us to work in His vineyard. Here is the loving plea, full of hope and forgiveness, that “the scoundrel forsake his way, […] let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving” (Is 55:7). What benevolence!

However, as Fillion observes, “not everyone begins to work on their salvation and sanctification at the same time in their life. Some do so in the first hour, from their childhood; others, in their youth; still others, in middle age; and some begin when the precursory signs of death are already manifesting themselves.”1 It does not matter when grace reaches us: whether in the first or last hour. The reward for all will be unsurpassed. What matters is the promptness of our “yes!”:

“Blessed are the workers of the first hour, who have lived only for God! Blessed also are those who, having heard the call of grace at any time in their lives, respond to it and hasten to their Savior, in order to work with Him and for Him!”2

God does not give up on any of us. If the devil of discouragement suggests that our faults make us unworthy, let us remember that the Lord’s thoughts are as far above ours “as the heavens are above the earth” (Is 55:9). Divine accounting is not governed by human logic: the mercy of the Heart of Jesus covers a multitude of sins. God is not a “boss” who rewards for meritorious work; He is a Father who calls everyone to Heaven. It is enough for us to say “yes!”

Even if we say “yes!” and then change to a “no!”, we cannot be discouraged, for grace never abandons us! If we fall into the tortuous and cursed paths of sin, there will always be a Father waiting for our return. The invitation to work in the Lord’s vineyard only expires when we breathe our last breath.

Therefore, “no one should be discouraged if they have long put off concerning themselves with their salvation, for God’s mercy has a reward reserved for everyone. However, it is also necessary to respond to Jesus’ call promptly and decisively. None of those summoned to labour in this parable suggested starting at a later hour, but went to work immediately. Nor did anyone decline. This is how we must act: we must not delay our ‘yes’ to the Master’s call.”3

The difficulties and the pondus diei et æstus – the burden and heat of the day (cf. Mt 20:12) – are inevitable, but the exceedingly great reward reserved for us in Heaven surpasses any sacrifice suffered on this earth. 

Notes:

1 FILLION, Louis-Claude. Vida de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo: Vida pública. Madrid: Rialp, 2000, v.II, p.435.
2 Ibid.
3 CLÁ DIAS, EP, João Scognamiglio. The Gnawing Worm of Envy. In: New Insights on the Gospels. Città del Vaticano-Nobleton: LEV; Heralds of the Gospel, 2013, v.II, p.352.