Author Topic: clarify this parable please. (Read 855 times)

spouse of Jesus · « **on:** March 30, 2009, 09:15:45 AM »

there is a prable in the Gosple about some workmen who received equal repay though some of them worked more hours.I searched for it's meaning and I found some comentaries but didn't understand them.can you give me an answer?
what is the meaning of this one?:those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last.(not sure if I write it correctly)
a layman in a church told me that it means you should not try to be just and holy or else you will be last in heaven.(that man turned to a fake preacher at last)]
anyway I was considering being one of those workmen who worked least (just one hour)since all of them received equal pay. it is more profitable isn't it?

gladius_veritatis · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2009, 10:40:11 AM »

Did you read the text yourself? Go read it, ponder upon it, and come back if you still do not understand. God speed in JMJ

gladius_veritatis · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2009, 10:42:14 AM »

Quote from: spouse of Jesus

I was considering being one of those workmen who worked least (just one hour)since all of them received equal pay. it is more profitable isn't it?

This is NOT the meaning. This attitude will almost certainly lead to bad places, in this life and the next.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2009, 08:37:53 PM »

please tell me it's real meaning.

Telesphorus · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2009, 09:03:37 PM »

It means that one must not be jealous of the spiritual goods of others.

Alex · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:43:25 AM »

The parable you are talking about is called "The Parable of the Labourors in the Vineyard". The direct meaning shows that, though the Jєωs were first called into the vineyard, the gospel will be preached to the Gentiles and they will be admitted to equal privileges and advantages with the Jєωs. "Those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last" means that the Jєωs were once the chosen people of God but, because they refused to accept Christ as the Messiah, they will lose their Covenant with God - it will be the Gentiles who will now become the people of God's Covenant because they will be the ones to accept Christ.

The parable has a secondary meaning. It shows God's great compassion to man and His desire that all be saved. The hours worked refers to man's cooperation with God's grace. There are people who are faithful to God all their life. Other people lead sinful lives yet convert to God later on in their life. And still others don't convert to God until the end of their life, even up until their death bed (these are the eleventh hour workers). But just as those who were faithful all their life and sinned very little make it to heaven, so will those who repent later on in life or even on their death bed make it to heaven- because of God's mercy.

Quote from: spouse of Jesus

anyway I was considering being one of those workmen who worked least (just one hour)since all of them received equal pay. it is more profitable isn't it?

Although the worker who worked least still made it to heaven, he would still have to suffer in Purgatory for the hours he never worked. So it is not better to be slothful or idle in the spiritual life. You may go to heaven like the saint who was holier than you made it to heaven but the difference is, the saint went straight to heaven and you will have to suffer a long time in Purgatory before going to heaven. Also, someone who has been more faithful to God in life will enjoy a higher degree of happiness in heaven than the sinner who converted later on in life.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:05:16 AM »

Thanks alot.
I was wondering about God's justice.some people say that God is above his laws,meaning that he can break his own rules of justice without ceasing to be holy.is that true?

Matthew · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:41:17 AM »

No. It is not.

God cannot contradict Himself. Yes I used "cannot" and "God" in the same sentence, but there is no problem with that -- because contradicting Himself is not a perfection.

Along the same lines, God can't make a square circle. That is a contradiction. Also, God can't sin. He would be contradicting Himself. That wouldn't add to His perfection.

trent13 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:03:46 PM »

With regards to the laborers in the vineyard and one getting as much pay as those who had worked all day - it took me forever to understand what the point was that Our Lord was making. Finally a priest explained it that should we go to heaven (our payment for our work in this life) we will be happy regardless whether or not one person receives more than another or whether they worked as hard for it. Our souls are like different sized cups but they will all be filled to the brim - and when it comes to heaven we won't begrduge the prodigal son who attains salvation, regardless of how late in life they came to the truth.

On another note - the eleventh hour workers have much less of a chance of getting into heaven at all given that they have built up a habit of sin and of being lax in the faith. The spiritual life doesn't stay at a status quo - you can't stay at "bare minimum" level your entire life and expect to go to heaven - one either grows in the faith or loses it.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 11:45:19 PM »

So it is about going to heaven not being great or little in heaven?for example a murderer who repents in his deathbed may go to heaven but he will not be equal to Saint Peter in glory.
now I understand.....