Sermon Introduction –
The workers in the vineyard in this week’s Gospel are looking for fairness, but the vineyard owner gives them generosity instead. How should we react to God’s generosity? If we’re the workers in God’s vineyard, how do we learn from God’s generosity to be generous ourselves instead of envious?
Introduction to this week’s readings –
Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars.
0 Comments