Memorial of the
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Ezekiel 34:1-11; Matthew 20:1-16)
The lay woman was complaining about the injustice to
religious sisters two generations ago.
She reiterated the fact that those valiant women labored in Catholic
schools for thirty dollars a month. Then
the woman compared that system with the current way teachers receive less than
counterparts in business. Was the system back then really unjust? And how about the current payment of teachers:
is it fair?
As always it is necessary to consider the context when evaluating
moral actions. The sisters had vowed to
a life of poverty. Also, the people they
served were often poor themselves. They sacrificed
themselves for the glory of God and the benefit of the children they
served. They may be equated to the
workers in today’s gospel that bear the day’s heat only to receive the minimum
of support. But unlike at least one of
those workers, they did not grumble.
In God’s Kingdom all workers receive a just wage. That wage takes account of family needs as
well as the principle of equal pay for equal work. Of course, it is no simple matter to balance
all claims to justice. Nevertheless, it should
be said that teachers have an enormous responsibility. When they fulfill it faithfully, they do
deserve an income commensurate with peers in industry. They also merit our appreciation and gratitude.
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