Aug 23 – Memorial for St. Rose of Lima, virgin
A beautiful girl and devoted daughter, Rose (1586-1617) was so devoted to her vow of chastity, she used pepper and lye to ruin her complexion so she would not be attractive. She lived and meditated in a garden, raising vegetables and making embroidered items to sell to support her family and help the other poor. She was the founder of social work in Peru.
“Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and said with incomparable majesty: ‘Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven.’”
– from the writings of St. Rose of Lima
Jgs 9:6-15
Mt 20:1-16
“Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?”
As I read today’s gospel, particularly this line of scripture, my thoughts return to the saga that has riled up our tiny Singapore in early July. The story revolves around two senior Singaporean ministers renting state properties (black and white colonial bungalows) and whether or not there were any apparent conflicts of interest, as well as how the Singapore Land Authority evaluates and markets such state properties. I will leave you to research and read the intricacies of this drama, but what stood out for me was the large gap between average citizens and our civil servants. The rental rates for these bungalows are $14,873 and $19,707. To put things in perspective, in 2022 (based on statistics released in February 2023), the median monthly household income from work in Singapore is US$7512.88 (S$10,099). There is much debate about conflicts of interest, whether there was any misuse of power, or whether these ministers were given preferential treatment, but what stands out for me is the amount they are paying for the rental. In today’s economic climate, where everyone is suffering from rising costs, these people plainly do not lack for anything.
Have I no right to do what I like with my own? It may seem that we/I are envious of these individuals. But these are taxpayers’ money! Can this money be put to better use to help those in the lowest-income households (below the 10th percentile)? I’d say yes; rather than pay for someone’s multi-generational family to stay together.
I’ll tell you another story. C, my dear friend, is a generous and giving person. Not only with her immediate family, but also with friends and acquaintances. She will not hesitate to offer anyone in need with financial, physical, and emotional support. However, I tell her that she is being overly generous to those ‘not so deserving’, so much so that people take advantage of her generosity. She would agree to take orders for ‘bak changs’ (meat dumplings), drive to Malacca to collect them and have them delivered to all who have ordered. She even agreed be the driver for a friend – to transport the spouse to an aged home in Johor (so as not to bother their own grown up children). When there are large group gatherings, she often is landed with the bill (because most people find it really hard to find their wallets when it’s time to pay). The list goes on and I often berate her for being a ‘pushover’. I hate people who take advantage of others.
Have I no right to do what I like with my own? C would say, “I do what I can to help, it’s OK.” (that people take advantage of her). Or she would say “Whatever we have comes from God, we are only using it to help others.” That always gets me.
God is the source of all of our wealth, power, and strength. The same is true for each gift or talent we have (James 1:17; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11). God even gives us the power to give generously (Deuteronomy 8:18; 2 Corinthians 9:10-11). Everything we have and everything else that exists is his.
Are we envious of what God chooses to bestow on others? As we read today’s parable, the wages at stake are not tangible daily wages for vineyard labourers, but forgiveness, life, and redemption for our brothers and sisters. Do we feel wronged when God benefits someone we believe is less deserving? The contention here is not that others receive more, better, or more wonderful blessings from God than we do. The problem is that they get the same as we do, and they don’t deserve it, right? They are less deserving, came later than us, or simply worse sinners. Certainly, they do not deserve the same love, compassion and forgiveness as we do, do they?
Brothers and sisters, the controversy (but truth) in this parable is that we are all equal recipients of God’s gifts. The shame of our faith is that we are frequently covetous and jealous when God’s gifts of forgiveness and life are distributed equally to others. Are there times when I selfishly consider myself more deserving than others?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Geraldine Nah)
Prayer: Lord, give me a heart of love and compassion, to give and share with others what you have bestowed on me. Help me not to judge or compare myself with others.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Jesus, for every gift and talent you have given me. May I be a good steward of all that you have given me.
OXYGEN 
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