Read Matthew 20:1-16 (The Laborers in the Vineyard) aloud.
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
Discuss it as a group:
Two scenarios are described below. The instructor/leader may form the class into two groups that report back to the main group, or address both scenarios in the main group:
The field: “The workers gathered in a parking lot hours before dawn. As with every day, they hoped the buses would come soon, and that the drivers would choose them to go into the field that day and work. The buses arrived, and one by one, workers were picked to go to the tomato fields. They picked tomatoes, gently tossing them into 32-lb. buckets and taking the buckets to large trucks. They received a token for each bucket. At the end of the day, their backs were sore and their hands were discolored with pesticides. Some of the people never got picked to ride a bus to work. Sometimes, a bus came back if there was more work to do, but it was unlikely. At the end of the day, those who had worked all day might take home $30. Those who had not worked went home with nothing.”
This is a present day description of the plight of many farm workers. It is uncannily similar to the story described in the parable.
The store: “The workers got to work fifteen minutes early, as always. They lifted boxes and stocked shelves for seven and a half hours, with two fifteen-minute breaks. One coworker had to miss work that day because she took her child to see a doctor. She did not have health insurance, because her employer limited her hours to 35 per week, less than “full-time,” and therefore exempt from the health insurance requirement. She had to pay for the doctor visit and her prescription out-of-pocket on top of missing a day’s wages – sick days are not in the hourly workers’ plans, either. After earning $7 per hour, the workers clocked out and took the bus to their various homes.”
In each small group, discuss the short scenario. Imagine being in the position of the worker in the field or the store. What would it feel like to take home such low wages each day? Do some math together and calculate the monthly salary. Would you be able to pay your rent/mortgage? Would you be able to buy groceries? Pay for your electricity and other utilities? Pay for car, insurance, and gas? Do you have children or other dependents to feed?
Most Americans agree that someone who works a full day should not be in poverty. What kind of wages do you think a person should get paid and why?
In the large discussion group, ask each group to briefly describe their discussion. What happened in the scenario they read, and what were the sentiments/thoughts of the group?
Ask someone else to read the parable again out loud.
Discuss:
- What do you notice this time?
- How do the present-day scenarios lend a new perspective to this parable?
- The vineyard owner in the parable says he will pay, “Whatever is right.” What is “right,” in today’s society? Minimum wage is currently $5.15 per hour. Is that “right?” Why or why not?
- Often, the authors of parables want the reader to imagine themselves in the role of the main character. Here, the writer is describing the day of the vineyard owner, the person with the power to affect wages. In what ways do we have the power to affect wages (lobbying congress, purchasing goods or services only from those who pay fairly, paying our own employees – including church employees—fairly, etc.)?
Offer the good news, that Christ came “to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (See Luke 4:16-19) One way Christ does this is through us, the church.
Closing prayer:
Holy God,
You bring good news to the poor.
Help us to be the bearers of that good news.
Help us to be the subject of that good news.
Help us learn how to make that good news happen.
You proclaim release to those who are captive.
Help us proclaim your will to the ones who may affect change.
Help us release those who are held captive by poverty.
Help us learn how to break those chains.
You bring recover of sight to the blind.
Help us learn what to look for, and
Help us to see it.
Help us teach others to see.
That we may speak your truth
That we may follow your way
That we may bring your light
And create your justice, your peace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, AMEN.
adapted from Jeannie M. Hunter, Emory University, 2005.
No comments:
Post a Comment