Daily Reflections ...

The workers in the vineyard each knew what the payment from the landowner would be, yet they have a sense of entitlement, which the landowner points out. ‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ God is generous beyond expectation or measure, giving us a gift that we can never earn nor deserve. And yet, it is a human reaction to be jealous of others because they have run the race for less time or with seemingly less struggle.

On the sets of Quentin Tarantino’s movies, even after the perfect take has been captured, they will often do the entire sequence again. Why!? When the call is made to do another take that is seemingly unnecessary, the entire cast chants with enormous enthusiasm, “because we love making movies!” They understand the extreme privilege and joy it is to be part of working on films together, creating an amazing culture where the love of the art form is more important than the practicalities.

For me, this anecdote is a pointer for how I try to live my faith. Sure, I can go through the motions, follow the rules, and turn up to Church each Sunday. Yet, no one may ever see my passion or love for Christ purely through the obligations of faith. It is God’s ability to be generous beyond measure, and it is our task to undertake the work for the Kingdom happily “because we love Jesus Christ!”

+ Jesus, help us to enter into the work of Your Kingdom with great joy. Remove from us any jealousy or expectation and allow us to serve You humbly. Amen.

by Nick Kelly