Oct 4, 2020 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Is 5:1-7; Phil 4:6–9; Mt 21:33–43)
The priests and elders whom Jesus was addressing in this week’s gospel would have been very accustomed to the image of Israel as a vineyard. Prophets like Isaiah had used the illustration for hundreds of years. However, they probably weren’t expecting the twist Jesus gave the story – instead of focusing on the poor fruit the vineyard was producing, Jesus concentrates on the tenants who should be caring for their Master’s field. The tenants – in this case, the church leaders – have forgotten that the fruits are for God’s glory, not their own status or wealth. They have rejected the messengers sent from God if the message was uncomfortable for them.
So, what does this parable mean for us? All of us have our own vineyards full of “the choicest vines” of blessings, which God has given us to tend. What are these blessings? They will be unique to each of us, but as St Paul tells us: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Each of us has been blessed with relationships, talents and abilities which God expects us to tend so that they yield a rich harvest – not “wild grapes.” There is another consideration for this parable. The fruits are seasonal. So too, the blessings we receive may be only ours for a season. When the time comes to yield them back to God, it is often hard to relinquish them without bitterness, struggle, or denial. There is a saying, “Don’t be sad that it’s over – be glad that it happened.” So, too, we should tend the blessings God has planted in our lives and nurture them with love – then be ready to offer them up with a grateful heart in God’s time of harvest.