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This weekend is all about vineyards in the Word of God; in fact, the last three weeks have mentioned vineyards in some way, shape or form to teach us about God. Regardless of whether or not you like wine or prefer beer, the Scriptures pack a punch on many levels.
The first perspective we might consider is historical. When Jesus tells his story about the vineyard, he is speaking directly to the People of God. The vineyard represents the Chosen People and God is the landowner. Jesus stresses all the good things God has done to get the vineyard established and prepared; not only did he plant the vines in the covenants he made with Israel, he also protected it through many miracles and the kings, judges and leaders he sent to Israel. All the hard work has been done by God. He asks his people to take care of the relationship he has built with them and harvest the produce which is represented in the the Incarnation. (Despite his generosity, God can’t seem to get his share of the vintage.) When God sends the prophets to remind his people of the loyalty and praise they owe him, they beat, kill, and chase away his messengers. Anticipating his own death, Jesus says the landowner finally sends his son, hoping it will be enough to set the the vineyard in order. However, the tenants are so hardened they even kill the son, thinking this will allow them to keep the vineyard for themselves. Incredibly, when Jesus asks how the landowner should treat his rebellious tenants, his audience, the same people who will soon call for Jesus to be crucified, reply that the evildoers of the story should be put to a wretched death and their share be given to someone else. As things turn out, the Chosen People, lose their exclusive claim to God’s vineyard and he opens it up to new tenants, anyone who believes in his resurrected Son, Jesus Christ.
The second perspective of these parables is spiritual. In this view, God is still the landowner but now the vineyard is the Church, the new Israel. Once again, God has done all the hard work of preparing the Church to bear tremendous fruit. He has founded it through the sacrifice of his Son on the cross, watered it with the grace of the sacraments, protected it throughout the centuries with the Gift of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of the apostles represented in the teaching of the magisterium. Finally, he has constantly provided saintly men and women to keep the vineyard healthy and remind the tenants to give him his due of sacrifice, glory, and worship throughout the ages. The open question that remains when we consider the parable in this light would be, “Are we doing our part to make sure the Catholic Church is bearing good fruit for the Lord? As Catholics, are we making a holy impact on society? Are we helping to ensure that God gets what is his from the universe he created? Most especially love, respect, and adoration? Do we share freely of our gifts with the Church as a sign of appreciation for what God has done for us? Judging by the level of hatred, division, and violence in our world right now, perhaps we in the Church have been thinking too much about our own share rather than God’s!
The third and most challenging perspective is to look at the parable of the vineyard as personal. Each one of us is God’s vineyard and he has invested tremendously in every person. He created us with his own hands in our mother’s womb, gave us an eternal soul that reflected himself, made sure we are protected by a guardian angel, and bestowed a personality and talents that were unique to each and every person. After doing all this, he gave us free will and let us be born into the world to enjoy his goodness and the gifts he gave so freely. Throughout the life of every person, God sends messengers and caretakers to watch over us: teachers, priests, parents, friends, and neighbors, to make sure our vineyard doesn’t get destroyed. Once again, God is the one who does the hard work and then, instead of being a control freak, he steps back to let the vineyard have a chance to grow and bear fruit. All he asks in return is that our lives be fruitful and some of those blessing be offered back to him.
What does this mean on a personal level? Have we in fact produced the good fruit of justice, mercy, and love? Do we at times forget that we are only tenants of our lives, bodies, and souls? Do we instead imagine ourselves as owners and do as we please? This grasping for ownership instead of stewardship is at the heart of every single sin we commit as individuals and society. Do we tend to store up more of earth’s fruit than we could possibly use while others die of starvation, neglect, and need? Do we act with violence against our fellow human beings with anger, gossip, judgement, racism, unforgiveness, moral indifference, or impurity, failing to see each person as a child of God?
Today’s Scriptures are crystal clear; God is a generous and benevolent Lord; he gives us more than we could ever hope for or deserve. But he expects to receive his portion of the harvest. And when his tenants try to keep his share for themselves, when they ignore his messengers and mistreat his Son, there are real consequences. This truth applies to you and me too. We ought to reflect on what we owe God in every area of our lives; to ignore this question or put it off for another day is to put ourself in danger of God’s righteous wrath. Is God receiving his share from me as a faithful Catholic? Do I support the Church and her works of charity and mercy? Do I practice my faith completely or do I pick and choose what teachings I will follow? Do I conform my life to God’s Truth or do I try to conform God’s Truth to my life? Does God receive his share from me first or do I give whatever is leftover of my time, talent, and treasure? The same principles of giving God his due apply in other areas of our life also. Are we acknowledging and glorifying God as good citizens, diligent professionals, dedicated students, patient parents, respectful spouses, considerate friends and loving family members? If, in any of these areas of our life, we are trying to be our own masters instead of humble stewards, now is the time to make amends and start giving God his due.
God will not never stop being generous. But we can be cast out of the vineyard and lose everything if we don’t repent of our greed and sinfulness. God will give it to someone more worthy. Think of God first in all things, acknowledge what you owe him, and be extravagant in thanking him. You will not regret it.
