«Sometimes we have the impression of not being able to find meaning for our life: We feel useless, inadequate, just like workers waiting for the market square, waiting for someone to take them to work. But sometimes time passes, life flows and we don’t feel recognized or appreciated. Perhaps we did not arrive in time, others showed up before us, or the concerns have retained us elsewhere ».
It is the parable of the workers in the vineyard contained in chapter 20 of the Gospel of Matteo in the center of the catechesis of Pope Leone XIV At the General hearing of Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square on the theme of hope to which jubilation is dedicated this year. “The metaphor of the market square”, explains the Pontiff, “is also very suitable for our times, Because the market is the place of business, where unfortunately you buy and also sell affection and dignity, trying to gain something. And when you don’t feel appreciated, recognized, you even risk being sold off at the first bidder. The Lord reminds us instead that our life is worth, and his desire is to help us find out ».
The parable, adds, «He gives hope, because he tells us that this master comes out several times to go and look for those who wait to give meaning to his life. The owner immediately comes out at the AlbAE then, every three hours, he returns to look for workers to send to his vineyard. Following this scan, after going out at three in the afternoon, there would be no more reason to go out again, because the working day ended at six ».
“This tireless master”, underlines Leone XIV, “who wants at all costs to give value to the life of each of us, instead also comes out at five. The workers who remained on the market square had probably lost all hope. That day had gone empty. Instead, someone still believed in them. What is the point of taking workers only for the last hour of the work day? What is the point of going to work only for an hour? Yet even when we seem to be able to do little in life, it is always worth it. There is always the opportunity to find meaning, because God loves our life. “
For the Pope «The originality of this master is also seen at the end of the day, at the time of pay. With the first workers, those who go to the vineyard at dawn, the master had agreed for a money, which was the typical cost of a day of work. To the others he says he will give them what is right. And it is precisely here that the parable returns to provoke us: what is right? For the master of the vineyard, that is, for God, it is right that everyone has what is necessary to live. He called the workers personally, he knows their dignity and on the basis of it he wants to pay them. And gives everyone a money ».
So what is the meaning of this parable? «The workers of the first hour remain disappointed: they cannot see the beauty of the gesture of the master, who was not unjust, but simply generous, did not look only at the merits, but also to the needsNo, “explains the Pope,” God wants to give everyone his kingdom, that is, full life, eternal and happy. And so Jesus does with us: he does not make rankings, to those who open his heart gives everything himself. In light of this parable, today’s Christian could be taken from the temptation to think: “Why start working immediately? If the remuneration is the same, why work more?”. To these doubts Sant’Agostino replied as follows: “Why therefore delays to follow who calls you, while you are sure of the remuneration but uncertain of the day? Mind you not to take away from yourself, because of your defer, what will give you based on its promise”.
The Pope concludes with an appeal: «I would like to say, especially to young people, not to wait, but to respond with enthusiasm to the Lord who calls us to work in his vineyard. Do not postpone, roll up the sleeves, because the Lord is generous and you will not be disappointed! Working in his vineyard, you will find an answer to that profound question that leads within you: what sense does my life make? ». Finally, addressing the faithful and pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square says: «Let’s not discourage! Even in the dark moments of life, when time passes without giving us the answers we seek, we ask the Lord that he still comes out and that he reaches us where we are waiting for it. The Lord is generous and will come soon ».
At the end of the catechesis, greeting the pilgrims in the various languages, the Pope recalled that the “Our world struggles to find value for human life, even in his last hour: the Spirit of the Lord illuminates our minds, so that we know how to defend the intrinsic dignity of every human person”. In the greeting to the Poles he said: «I urge you to courageously follow the Lord, responding to the call that he addresses to each of you. May the saints and the blessed be guides on this path. Among them is the blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, patron of the meeting of the young people of this year in Poland, in the Lednic fields. I bless you from heart ».
