It's not fair!

"It's not fair!"  can be a familiar cry in a family home.  After all can things ever really be fair all of the time?  Kids seem to think they should be - and as parents we often bend over backwards striving for fairness.  It certainly isn't our goal for our children to feel "slighted" or that their work is unappreciated, but as adults we know that that feeling is inevitable.  How should we feel if we are all working towards the same goal - someone shows up "late" - and we all reap the same reward?   In simple terms that sums up our Gospel his week.  

A landowner goes out and hires some laborers, offers them a day wage and they get to work, a while later he sees more people looking for work and offers them a job as well for the day, this continues all through the day - at the end of the day those hired first grumble upon hearing that they will be paid the same as those who came last and worked less time.  Where is their "extra", "It's not fair!".  This is what I call a "retelling" Gospel for the kids - lets retell it but change the circumstances - Jesus used parables for people to learn on their own terms.  Retell it from a faith perspective.    

Jesus called you, you heard, prayed, and worked in His name.  When he called others to join you throughout the day you felt the burden lessen, you felt the work easier, you found community, this only grew as the day went on and more and more were called and accepted the invitation.   At the end of the day called before Him you are all given the same payment - joy in Heaven.   Now how silly does it sound to shout "that's not fair".  Isn't our goal to lead others to Jesus in the hope that they will join us in the kingdom of Heaven?  While retelling may still leave us with questions it helps to reframe how we reflect on the Gospels.   

I hope you are out enjoying this beautiful weekend!  The Sanders crew is enjoying being able to all attend the oldest Sanders sporting events this weekend after 2 weeks of having to divide due to COVID restrictions.  There is a fun feast day tomorrow (one that if you are a meal prepper like me is easy to plan for!)  Tomorrow is the Feast of St. Matthew - tax collector, turned apostle, and martyr for the faith!  Because he is the patron Saint of accountants, bankers and book keepers there are a few fun ways to celebrate - Silver Dollar pancakes are an easy make ahead to reheat for breakfast, or a chocolate coin (dollar tree has them in stock!) tucked in a lunch box are an easy way to remember St. Matthew tomorrow.  

​Sunday Gospel Video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiMA1FUV3LY

Have a blessed week!!  

Jen