Do we seek equality or equity?

 The Gospel revolves around a principle we often see present in labour negotiations, a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Yet we know that certain jobs are valued more than others in terms of how much a person is paid for their employment. Most of this disparity is due to the added responsibility or the level of skills that a person is called to maintain for the good of others. Yet we also know in recent times that there has been a widening gap between people who receive salaries that seem excessive compared to what would appear to be an equitable distribution of wealth. I remember that at one stage the Chief Executive of a British Petroleum company drove a mini while ensuring that his sales personnel were given vehicles that were appropriate to their work. I think what he demonstrated is that we show good care for ourselves by taking good care of those in our employment. He sought to provide an equitable outcome so that they could adequately perform their work. The right tools for the right purpose.

Yet I believe there is a deeper issue at work that the Gospel seeks to demonstrate. We have worth not because of the number of hours that we work or the remuneration we receive but because of the person we are. This calls us to seek God as a person who seeks salvation for all people not just the early birds. God constantly seeks what is good for every person and seeks to witness love in a way that is equitable. It is almost like God is blind to that sense of entitlement that can seem to arise when we have been on the spiritual path for a while. Rather God is aware of the need of each person to be welcomed into God's kingdom. This is not about length of service but rather a responsive heart.

If we seek this equity of endeavour our hearts start to witness to a God who is always on the lookout for others to be welcome. This is not about closing the doors too early but rather opening wide our endeavours to seek what is needed to preach the Good News for our time. The awareness that God welcomes people to the table not solely for our good but for the good of all creation. This gives voice to God's concern that all should hear the Good News and be able to participate in the fruits of the kingdom. This saves us from insisting on our rights to earn a place in the Kingdom but a willingness to share what God has to offer. All should hear that they are worth a Kingdom and God welcomes them to participate in what is on offer.