They Will Respect My Son.

Do you ever feel find yourself thinking "I feel like I have heard this story very recently"? Well, for the third Sunday a row we hear about the work of a vineyard as the setting for lessons about God and God's Kingdom.

In the first reading, Isaiah speaks of a vineyard that represents the people of Israel. God has set everything up perfectly and given so much to make it fruitful and successful. And yet, despite all God has done, the vineyard only yielded "wild grapes." By this, Isaiah is speaking of the rebellious nature of the people of Israel and their refusal to follow the ways of God. And so, in the story, the landlord allows for the vineyard to be abandoned and "overgrown with thorns and briers."

In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable that has a similar theme: a landlord sets up a vineyard with all the trappings of success and leaves his workers to take care of it. When he sends messengers asking for the produce of the vineyard, the workers mistreat and even kill the messengers. Finally, the landlord "sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'" But instead, the people "seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him." And so, Jesus asks the people "What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?" They respond rightly: "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times."

So, what does this all have to do with us? Well, while this story clearly has Jesus speaking of himself and the refusal of people to accept him, it also can have implications for Christians today. For we are stewards of a rich and beautiful vineyard that has been handed on to us: the Church! By seeking out holiness in our daily lives through prayer, living out our faith for others to see by acts of charity, and proclaiming the goodness of God by our words, we cooperate with God in helping to build the Kingdom and transform the world. But, if we refuse to participate, if we sit back and say "it is someone else's job," or if we deride the work and actively work against it, well, this parable makes it clear: this is not something God will take kindly to when we stand before Jesus on Judgement Day. 

Let us pray this week that we may "keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen," as St. Paul suggests in the second reading this week. May the wonderful examples of saints, teachers, priests, sisters, deacons, parents, grandparents, godparents, and others who have come before us inspire us to be a part of the active life of God and God's Church that continues to build the vineyard to this day!

Written by: Fr. Craig

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings for this Sunday's Mass.