God's love far exceeds human justice.

Today’s readings invite us to discover that God’s love far exceeds human justice. In the Gospel, the workers who labored all day expected more than those who came at the last hour. Human justice says, “You deserve according to what you have done.” But God’s love asks a deeper question: “How generous can I be?” The landowner does not deny anyone what was promised; rather, he freely gives according to his generosity. The problem of the early workers was not that they received too little, but that they could not rejoice when another received much. This message is beautifully connected with the warning of Ezekiel against unfaithful shepherds. God condemns shepherds who feed themselves while neglecting the weak, the sick, the wounded, the lost, and the scattered. God declares, “I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” Psalm 23 then reveals the heart of that promise: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” God’s justice is never separated from mercy. He seeks the lost, heals the wounded, strengthens the weak, and restores those who have been forgotten. Saint John Eudes understood this shepherding heart of Christ. As a priest, he dedicated himself especially to the renewal of priests and to bringing God’s mercy to people wounded by sin and hardship. His life reminds us that Christian leadership is not about privilege or being served; it is about becoming an instrument of God's compassionate love. Sometimes we can become like the workers who complain: “Why should they receive the same as I?” We may compare ourselves with others, count our sacrifices, or believe that God should reward us according to our calculations. But the Gospel calls us to rejoice in grace. God’s generosity is not a threat to us; it is an invitation to become generous ourselves. May we never be shepherds who seek only ourselves. May we become people who strengthen the weak, seek the lost, forgive generously, and rejoice when God’s mercy reaches others, even when they arrive at the vineyard later than we did.