Chapter 19, omitted from the cycle of Sunday readings, continues the theme of God’s transcendence over human ways, and the challenge to adopt God’s mentality as the realization of his kingdom. The cross in the Christian life is not an abstract ideal, but shows itself in the difficult decisions concerning committed relationships and our attitudes toward justice and the use of the world’s goods.

The parable about the laborers in the vineyard is sandwiched between two repetitions of the same saying of Jesus, "the last shall be first and the first last" (19:30; 20:16). The verse itself does not correspond perfectly to the parable. There is no question in the parable that the last ones hired were given any real priority over the first. The problem arises because they were given equal treatment. The complaint against the owner (v 12) is that he is unjust — the same complaint of the elder son in Lk 15:29-30, the legalistic Jews in Ez 18:25, and Jonah in Jon 4:2. The point of the parable has nothing to do with God’s first and last choices, but rather exemplifies the overwhelming goodness of God surpassing our limited concept of justice. God’s covenant with his people is not a business contract, but a completely free gift on God’s part, seeking only our acceptance and response.

The "first-last" saying seems to refer specifically to the Jewish-Gentile situation — the Jews (the "first" to receive God’s covenant) rejected Christ and became the last; the Gentile (i.e., non-Jews) were not included in the first covenant, but shared its fulfillment in Christ.

An awareness of the total giftedness of God’s love runs through all the prophets. The Lord can be found only because he has made himself near (v 6). Even the worst of us have no reason to despair of his mercy, but every reason to turn to him confidently seeking forgiveness, because God is not limited by our narrow ideas of justice and retribution. It should be noted that God is often proclaimed as a God of love, mercy and tenderness in the Jewish Scriptures. The Christian Gospel adds a radical new dimension to this love of God by seeing his people not merely as recipients of his love but as participants in his very act of loving. We are challenged to duplicate his love and forgiveness in our relations with others.

The words of this psalm echo those of Isaiah in the first reading. Even though the Lord created the universe in all its splendor, the greatest of his works is his compassion. Response: "The Lord is near to all who call him."

After an introduction in which he expresses his deep affection for the Christian community at Philippi (see the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C), Paul points to his own example of how to hear the voice of the Lord speaking in the circumstances that face us. He is writing from prison, uncertain of the outcome. He may be released or he may face death. The meaning of living in the spirit takes on a new and more urgent perspective. The power to choose what will happen is out of his hands, yet he remains perfectly free. If he is to die, death would fulfill his wish to be with Christ. If he is to remain alive, release from prison would fulfill his desire to strengthen the Lord’s people by his presence with them. (For more background on this letter, see the Second Sunday of Advent and the Fifth Sunday of Lent, both in Year C.)

1. Discuss the Gospel in relation to envy in your own life.

2. How do the Gospel and the first reading speak to the meaning of conversion of heart?