Daily Catholic Reflection: October 4, 2020, Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.

 

Isaiah 5:1-7,

Ps 80:8 and 11.12-13.14-15 and 17b.18-19

Philippians4:6-9,

Matthew 21:33-43 Full Readings

Saint Francis of Assisi

We are in the Lord's Vineyard

Brethren, today's first reading and the gospel use the image of a vineyard. Israel, says Isaiah, is the vineyard of the Lord, the vineyard that the Lord loved, and this is also attested by the Responsorial Psalm. But unfortunately, it yielded only the sour grapes after the Lord had taken care of it and gave it whatever it needed for bearing good fruit. Jesus takes up that same image  of the vineyard in the Gospel but with a difference: Isaiah says that the vineyard will be destroyed; Jesus states that the tenants will be replaced and the vineyard will be kept as well as being given to those who will take care of it well and produced good fruit (Jesus came to reveal the Father's mercy). The second reading, taken together, complements each other. The short passage from the letter to the Philippians can be connected to the theme of this Sunday. Paul insists on the concrete aspect of Christian life. The mark of authenticity of faith are the works of love; fruits that all appreciate.

 

 Jesus' story about an absentee landlord and his not-so-good tenants would have made sense to his audience. The hills of Galilee were lined with numerous vineyards, and it was quite common for the owners to let out their estates to tenants. Many did it for the sole purpose of collecting rent. However, Jesus' story about wicked tenants caused offense to the scribes and Pharisees. This is because it contained both a prophetic message and a warning. Isaiah had spoken of the house of Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord" (Isaiah 5:7). Jesus' listeners would have likely understood this parable as referring to them and to God's dealing with a stubborn and rebellious people.

Israel was always regarded as the holy nation, chosen by God and as the son of God and as the vineyard of the Lord which God cared for unlimitedly. With the coming of Jesus, God's love extended to every part of the world and the whole world is now the vineyard of the Lord, and we are the tenants whom the Lord has chosen to work in it. Today let us examine ourselves, which type of tenants are we? Those who kill or don't listen to the servants of the Lord (priests, religious, catechists, lay missionaries and others)? Or those who are faithful and can produce good fruits? Whoever, type of tenants we are, God will surely judge us accordingly.

Jesus' parable today richly conveys some important truths about God and the way he deals with his people. First, it tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with everything the tenants need. The owner went away and left the vineyard in the hands of the tenants. God, likewise, trusts us enough to give us freedom to run life as we choose. God has given us this world full of good things and above all the gift of life and keeps on providing for everything we need when we pray to him. Our role is to take care of this world in a manner pleasing to God for instance taking care of creation. He also expects us to use our talents and gifts which he gave us not for our egoistic tendencies  and selfish gains but for our good, the good of others and for the service of the kingdom of God. At last we should be able to tell God, see God, you gave me all these and this is what I have done with it (helping the needy, serving others instead of being served, spreading the good news, development in my village, educating my children, charity work, and all sorts of good virtues). Then God will tell us, well done my children, come enjoy with me in eternity. What a great joy will it be!

This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice. Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice prevail in the end. Are we taking for granted all God is doing for us in our lives? Do we sometimes think that it is our right to sleep and wake up despite our sinfulness and disobedience of God? Let us remember that God's justice will prevail and so we ought to be grateful to God every moment as St Paul encourages us in the second reading. 

St Paul further encourages us to pray when we need something from God. God knows what we need before we ask him but he gave us freedom to choose whether to have it or not. If we want to have what we need, we have to pray for it from God and if we don't pray then we don't need anything from him. Remember that our prayers must be accompanied with faith, love and works of charity, as well as living authentic Christian life. 

Brethren, today is also a feast of St Francis of Assisi and the closing of the creation month which started on 1st September and ends on this feast. As we celebrate it, let us remember that we all have a great duty of taking care of creation and the environment which God has given us instead of making it a worse place for us to live in. This is everyone's responsibility and let us always try to emphasize it wherever we go. Let us ask St Francis of Assisi to pray for us as we undertake the care of creation as he did.

Let us Pray 

Almighty God, we are yours and we belong to a vineyard which you are always caring for. Help us always to be good tenants who will produce good fruits for the good of ourselves, others and for the service of the kingdom of God. Amen.

Blessed Sunday