The common thread that runs across the readings for the day is that the way God thinks and acts is beyond human thinking. In the first reading, Isaiah reminds the people that when someone, however wicked he or she may be, turns in repentance towards God, God will forgive him or her. Our human thinking would say, "It's unfair". But God does not judge as we do. In reading the Gospel passage, it is easy for us to emphatise with those who had worked longer hours but received the same salary as those who worked less. Our human thinking would say, "It's unfair". But God does not think as we do.

The psalmist reminds us that the motivating principle for God's thinking and acting is 'love'. He declares, "The Lord is kind and full of compassion, abounding in love." God is good to all and compassionate to all. It is a love that cannot be measured. It is a type of love that human beings cannot comprehend. It is no wonder then that Paul, in the second reading, struggles between his human thinking and doing the will of God. Paul's desire is to die and be with the Lord. However, he knows that his death would mean his ministry to proclaim the Good News would come to an end. Indeed, it is never easy to really understand the mind of God. In the end, perhaps what we are called to do is, as advised by Paul, is to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ and let God be God.