THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
18th September 2026
Greetings,
This Sunday is the 16th Sunday after Trinity and a reminder that there is humour in Scripture. The Old Testament reading is from Jonah, a biblical comedy. The story of the storm, the whale and the cowardly and resentful prophet whose word converts a corrupt and venal city is absurd, and it is meant to be. It was part of an oral tradition of marketplace entertainment in the ancient world. Its first hearers would have guffawed with laughter and although comic effect is long lost in the telling, we shouldn't make the mistake of treating it with solemnity. But neither should we dismiss it as flippant. As with much humour there is a serious message and not least that God can do remarkable things with the least promising of people. That should give hope to all of us in the challenge of living for Christ in these bewildering times, as should the gospel text (Matthew 20.1-16) in which Jesus appears to endorse unjust employment practices. The labourers who've worked but one hour are paid just as much as those who've toiled all day long. Understandably, there are howls of protest, but the employer reminds them that they agreed for a certain price and that he is entitled to do what he wishes with his money. Why be resentful because I am kind, he asks? Instinctively, we are drawn to the apparent injustice, but Jesus is asking us to remember that there are many times when we are the recipients of extraordinary and unmerited grace. Rather than harbouring resentment of the good fortune of others, we should endeavour to be thankful for God's surprising mercies.
Blessings,
Charles Booth
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