The Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius (249-51), Philemon, Apollonius and Callinicus (284-305)
Nativity Fast. Day of fast.
Read
Titus 1:5-2:1; Luke 20:9-18
Glory be to Jesus Christ!
“Sooooo…..!!???!! How’s the work been lately? It’s really been hot these last few weeks. I’ve been trying to tend to these blasted vines, make sure they have enough water … weeding, weeding, weeding… is there ever an end to weeding? … pruning an occasional non-bloomer. Yeah, it’s been hard work. How about your part of the vineyard? Same challenges? I see you one in a while at the water trough but no time to chat… Do you think that the owner will ever return? It’s been so long…”
Perhaps we can imagine the above as part of the normal conversation of the vineyard workers that we hear about in today’s Gospel reading. Are you aware that you are a worker in the vineyard of the Lord? As the Lord spoke this parable to the Jews, and they recognized themselves in it, so we must too recognize ourselves in it as members of the Church.
It is clear from the parable that the vineyard stands for Israel, and the Lord sent many messengers (the prophets) who were rejected, and killed. The Lord even sent His Only Beloved Son (Jesus whom they saw standing before them) whom they rejected and killed outside the vineyard (Jesus was killed outside the city limits of Jerusalem). Even faced with this truth, the Pharisees and scribes hardened their hearts even more as they were wounded in their pride.
We can learn from the parable that the Lord has incredible patience with us. He will wait and wait and wait… and wait some more for us. He is always ready for us to do the right thing. But like Israel, perhaps we can become presumptuous of His patience and try and get away without offering any fruit of the very life He has given to us. Sometimes, in our pride, we can even start to believe that there really is no such thing as the Lord’s judgement, that He has abdicated the world. In the end, though, we find that there is a final day, a day of reckoning. If we are frightful of such a day, then we have to admit that we are somewhat like the Pharisees and scribes, still rooted in our pride. Let’s let go of our pride that blinds us, and believe and act because of His love and mercy.
Perhaps our vineyard conversation may change…
“Sooooo…..!!???!! How’s the work been lately? It’s really been hot these last few weeks. I’ve been trying to tend to these blasted vines, make sure they have enough water, weeding, weeding, weeding… is there ever an end to weeding? … pruning an occasional non-bloomer. Yeah, it’s been hard work. How about your part of the vineyard? Same challenges? I see you one in a while at the water trough but no time to chat… I can hardly wait for the owner to show up… we have such great fruit for him!”