Today, when we ask ourselves, Christianity, “what for”? we are doing exactly what those vine growers did. When they realized they could obtain the salary of a denarius much more easily (by working less hours), they could not understand why they had been working all day long. But on what were they basing their conviction that it was much more comfortable being idle than working?

This parable was not transmitted for workers of another time, but for us, who take for granted that "spiritual unemployment" —a life without faith and prayer— is more pleasant than spiritual service. But, what are we basing it on? We look at the effort involved in the daily Christian life, while forgetting that faith is not only a burden that oppresses us, but at the same time, a guiding light...

—O Jesus, make me forget "my burden" and let me think of the burden others have, so I can help them.