The Bible teaches about God's fairness, which many of us can relate to if things seemed unfair growing up with siblings, Bishop Gregory Parkes noted recently.

"We read about God’s fairness in the Gospel of Matthew this weekend in the parable of the landowner," Parkes said in the Sept. 20 bulletin from Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in St. Petersburg. "The landowner hired workers in the early part of the day for a set day’s wage. Then he hired more at midday, and then others near the end of the day. 

"When it was time for payment, the workers who were hired last and only worked a few hours were paid the same amount as those who were hired first and worked the whole day. Those who were hired early in the morning were upset, claiming they were being treated unfairly. And maybe on the surface they have a case to make."

But Parkes pointed out that the parable isn't about humans' understanding of God's fairness, it is about God's generosity, love, grace and unending mercy.

"We, through our baptism, are called to labor for Christ," Parkes said. "We are called to witness, to evangelize, to love and forgive, to be a living example of what it means to be a Christian. But, we often fall short of fulfilling that call. 

For some, it may be years or decades before they have a conversion of heart. Despite their late start, God will take them as they are. Others are faithful to God and His commandments throughout their whole lives. Yet God loves us all."