Our first reading today from the Book of Judges, chapter 9, presents us with a fascinating parable about choosing wise leadership to rule over one’s community or nation.
Let us understand the context of the tale of the trees.
Gideon had fought valiantly and defeated the Midianites, and during his lifetime, the Israelites enjoyed peace for forty years. Abimelech was the son of Gideon (Jerub-Baal) by his concubine from Shechem. Gideon also had seventy sons from his many wives. Unfortunately, Abimelech was corrupt, arrogant, and hungry for power. He rallies the citizens of Shechem against the leadership of the seventy sons of Gideon. Using money from the temple of Baal-Berith, Abimelech hires “reckless adventurers who became his followers.”
Beware of False Leaders
Abimelech epitomizes false leadership – he vilifies the righteous, is greedy and violent. He bribes using money from false worship. And dishonors his own father’s family.
It is Jotham, another son of Gideon, who prophetically uses the parable of the king of the trees to call the people of Shechem to their senses regarding their choice of leader.
The Righteous are Too Busy Bearing Good Fruit to Desire False Adulation
In the parable, the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine wisely refuse the lure of being crowned king “to go wave over the trees.” The bramble (or thornbush) on the other hand, greedily grasps at the opportunity to be honored as leader. It also cunningly requires the other trees “to take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.” In other words, rather than providing protection, provision, and good food to those in its care, the bramble offers a leadership that is corrupt, malicious, and destructive.
The Righteous Trust in God
Our responsorial psalm reminds us that a leader who trusts in God and keeps His commands will always have cause to rejoice in God’s justice. He will enjoy good blessings from God, victory, honorable glory, and long life.
God’s Inscrutable Justice
Our Gospel reading today is one of Jesus’s most astonishing and troubling parables – that of the landowner who pays the same wages to those who worked all day, a half day, a quarter day, and a single hour.
In the modern context, the landowner’s actions appear akin to our unemployment insurance, a social security net many of us have benefited from.
But in the biblical context, how are we to glean divine justice in the lives of these labourers? For some of them had started work at dawn, some at 9 a.m., some at noon, some at 3 p.m. and some even at 5 p.m. Yet they all received equal wages!
Unfair?
Do you struggle with the unfairness of life? Injustices and trials too hard to bear? Have you seen your unrighteous enemies flourish while your own future looks bleak and your struggles futile? Can you perhaps hear the gentle voice of Jesus reminding you that He has been faithful?
My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with Me for the usual daily wage? Have I not met your needs today? Or am I not free to do as I wish with My own riches? I love and care for all My own. I desire them all to be blessed and saved. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Are you envious because I am generous?
The Devil assaults us, as He did Eve, with a barrage of lies. “God is unfair. God is a cheater, a liar, a thief. Why did God bless them more than He blessed me? He is powerless. God is indifferent. He is vengeful. He wants me to suffer. And, He hates me. See how the wicked prosper?”
Can we challenge ourselves to trust Abba more and murmur less?
Jesus’ Vision is Wider than Ours
This summer, as at many other times in my life, I have struggled with trust. I was not selected for a job despite seniority, experience, and qualifications.
So how do I respond when my prayers go unanswered? When my talents or skills in ministry are ordinary compared to others around me? When I am not as socially or financially successful as a cousin or friend?
I can feel the envy creeping in very quickly, followed rapidly by resentment, distrust in God’s goodness, and tepidity in my prayer life. Sometimes, I forget to thank God for the multitude of blessings he has poured upon ME that vey day, week, or month. I begin to question my own worth and value to God and the family of believers. I forget the incredible wonders He has done in my life, His faithfulness to provide and protect me and my loved ones.
Envy
Envy is dangerous. When overcome by envy, Cain was warned that sin was crouching at his door. He did not recognize it, and in a fit of rage slew his innocent brother. St. Peter warns us that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Let us be careful not to let envy overtake us. God’s justice is eternal, and He sees things from the perspective of an eternal lens. If not on earth, then in eternity, every injustice will be overturned, and we will be comforted for every loss we mourned.
The Scales of Justice
God knows every hair on my head. He hears every prayer I say. He keeps watch over my coming in and my going out. One day, the scales of justice will balance out perfectly. He has bottled my tears and knows their number. Every loss will be reversed, every injustice overturned. Blessed are they that mourn, for they will be comforted for every loss.
At confession, our holy young priest asked me to ask Jesus for His vision for my life. I did so at Mass right after, and Jesus blessed me with incredible insights into my own life journey in the context of those around me. It was a beautiful gift.
I encourage you to do likewise when tempted by envy. Ask Jesus for His vision of your life, and may you be blessed by His revelation of love for you.
