MATTHEW 20:1-15

[Jesus said:] "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just. So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? (Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?'"

Gospelthink: Jesus tells us the story whose conclusion is that we should be generous in how we act. Am I as generous as I should be?

The movie "Hereafter" deals with the thought of scientifically proving that there is an afterlife. Marie Lelay knows that she experienced something during the time that she was thought to be dead. George Lonegan has a "gift" of being able to contact people who are dead, therefore knowing that there is indeed an afterlife. Christians viewing the movie may sense that the whole discussion to prove an afterlife is a waste of time because they know by faith that God exists and that there is an afterlife. But the movie cleverly points out, as Marie and George get together, that knowledge of the afterlife can make people's existence here on earth happier.

Viewers of the movie "Hereafter" should not miss the philosophical conclusion that knowledge of an afterlife can bring about happiness if both people in a relationship accept it. Marie and George are drawn together by their knowledge of the afterlife, and the unwritten statement is that they will live happily together. Such a conclusion is more or less, the resulting conclusion of Christianity: once we understand that the afterlife--or in Christian terms, "heaven" exists--our present life here on earth will take on a different and more profitable meaning.

Jesus did not use the word "afterlife." He used the word "heaven." In one of his stories, he tells of a vineyard owner, symbolizing God, who generously invites everyone to be part of heaven. Our job is merely to work in God's vineyard, doing God's work. Everyone who works receives the same wage, that is, the experience of heaven, or in terms of the movie "Hereafter," the "afterlife."

One of the central thoughts of Christianity is of course the existence of the afterlife. Whether we can prove that it exists or not has been the subject of hundreds of books. There may be indications that such a life exists, as the movie suggests, but for the Christian, it really does not matter whether it can be proved scientifically. Christians believe that it exists. Once they have believed it, their lives take on meaning. In terms of Jesus's story, they agree to do God's work, and then they will receive their reward of heaven.

Knowledge of a good ending is an incentive to work diligently toward such an end. If we do God's work, and do it well, living a truly Christian life, a happy "afterlife" will be ours. Such was Jesus's doctrine. It should be the guide for every Christian. 

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we believe in the "afterlife" or heaven. It is our final goal as we have begun life here on earth since we believe that our lives will continue for ever. Help us prepare for a good "afterlife" by living according to the teachings of your Son while we are here. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: In our reality, there are indications that an afterlife exists. Scientists may not be able to prove it, but once you understand it, this present life is easier to live.  
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 60 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie is most striking? Why?
2. The usual title for Jesus's story in the Gospel is "The Good Employer." Since God is our direct employer, what does God want most  for us to "work for Him"?
3. One of the applications of Jesus's story is the understanding of "generosity." Why is generosity so important in the Christian's spiritual life?
4. God wants everyone to have the kingdom of heaven. The only condition is that people accept his preaching. What part of Jesus's preaching is most important for our world? Why?
5. How does the Christian's belief in heaven shape our lives here on earth?
6. Project: obtain an article from the Internet of someone who has experienced the "afterlife" in their lives. Discuss the conclusions.
7. The meditation makes the point that the Christian simply "believes" in the "afterlife." Project: make a presentation concerning "Life Everlasting"  from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, numbers 1020-1050.
8. Scene analysis: someone begs George to help her by going into her past. What is the principal reason for people to want to contact someone who is dead?
9. Scene analysis: George is drawn to author Charles Dickens. Project: make a presentation on Charles Dickens' greatest contribution to humankind.
10. Analysis: Marie's boyfriend-publisher finds another lover. In today's media, "romantic affairs" happen all the time. In the adult world, do you think that "romantic affairs" happen as often as the media presents? Why or why not?
11. Scene analysis: George tells Marcus about Jason's happy "afterlife" and that he has to look after himself now. Given your knowledge of Marcus' life as presented in the movie, what should Marcus do in order to look after himself more?
12. Scene analysis: George tells Marcus that Jason knocked his cap off preventing him from being killed. Often Christians speak of "guardian angels" who help us in this life. Do you believe in such things as "guardian angels"? Yes or no and why?
13. Scene analysis: one of the things that Marcus does is to visit his mother in the rehab center after he has returned to his foster home. Realistically, what could Marcus do to help his mother?
14. Scene analysis: Director Clint Eastwood has all the principal people in the movie come together in the same place at the London Book Fair. Do you believe that things happen to us almost accidentally "for a reason." That is, do you believe that God is directing our lives in such ways? Yes or no and why?
15. Analysis: Given what you have seen in the movie, what is your projection about Marie and George in the future?
116. What does the movie "Hereafter" teach young people?  

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America