Main

27th Sunday Ordinary Time

Return to Cycle Index

Cycle A

====

A183: The readings today seem to go from bad to worse. In the Isaiah passage (5:1-7), the owner destroys the vineyard. In the Gospel passage (Matt 21:33-43), the owner destroys the wicked tenants. Does anyone win?

These readings really complement each other quite well. In the Isaiah text, we see that after the most careful cultivation and planting, a vineyard stubbornly refuses to yield a good and expected crop. So why should it receive any more attention from the owner? In the Matthew text, the landowner builds a similar vineyard but leases it out. The new tenants refuse to honor their obligation or indebtedness to the owner; in fact, they kill the representatives sent to collect the owner's expected share of the crop.

The message is pretty straightforward. The "crop" or yield that is expected from the vineyard (the people, especially the leaders) are acts of love and goodness, which are in turn responses to God's word. This word is sent via messengers (the prophets) and finally the owner's son (Jesus). But still the response is stone hearted, and all the messengers are killed.

It would seem foolish that the owner would send his own son, after previous messengers had been killed. And that seems to be the point of the parable: God's love is so abundant and so extreme, that it even appears to be foolish. But this God of ours will stop at nothing to overwhelm us with his love.

Reflection: God will never force his love upon us. However, he will constantly offer love and salvation to us. How have I rejected his love? Do I realize that by rejecting his love, I am rejecting salvation?

====

Dismiss Anxiety!

"He was one of Columbia University's history superstars," a writer said recently of the late Professor Carlton J. H. Hayes (1882-1964). As an historian, Carlton Hayes was a lifetime seeker of truth. This quest not only brought him into the Catholic Church; it also brought him into genial but firm controversy with those of divergent opinions, even his fellow-Catholics. His special field of study was the current growth and dangers of excessive nationalism throughout the world. Fully acquainted with the threat of modern totalitarianism, he warned of the evils it could produce if not countered. Yet he never allowed himself to worry unduly about tomorrow. "If we are occupied with thoughts immortal or divine ... or, for the matter of that, in doing anything that we feel is worth doing, we have neither time nor inclination to brood over our personal future."

Professor Hayes gave his students at Columbia the same sort of calm advice in the last lecture he delivered before his retirement in 1950. "The world," he said, "is pretty badly off. But I don't want you to lose any sleep over it."

Pope Pius XI had said much the same thing two decades before: "The future is in God's hands, and therefore in good hands."

"...Dismiss all anxiety from your minds." (Philippians, 4:6. Today's second reading).

-Father Robert F. McNamara

====

Q339: How can God "take back" his gifts? Is it fair to choose and "call" a people, and then to reverse your action?

The ending of today's gospel (Mt 21:43) is one that always gives me goose-bumps! Jesus says, "Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit." Think about it. If those specially "chosen" - our ancestors of salvation history - can lose the kingdom of God, then what are the implications for those of us to whom it was subsequently given?

"Producing fruit" can be boiled down today to the concept of Christian stewardship. This means involvement in spreading the kingdom of God - using our time, talent and treasure to achieve this one goal. Where true justice and love prevail, and where the Holy Trinity is freely worshiped, you know the kingdom of God is present. Can you even imagine a true "kingdom of God" without his Son, and without the Holy Spirit?

But the "call" to produce fruit is an invitation, not a forced demand. It is within our own choosing to either "reject" or "accept" that invitation to work in His vineyard, the tillage of God. Actions disclose the condition of the heart; so after accepting the invitation, we need to diligently pursue those activities which result in "fruit," the spreading of the kingdom of God.

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Jesus Christ is the true vine in the "tillage of God," the cultivated field which is his Catholic Church (CCC #755). Will you consent to be the healthy soil through which he wants to produce results? The "promise" was taken away from the "wicked tenants" -- a sobering reminder of what can happen to us if we "reject" the Son by refusing to be useful soil (CCC #443). Exactly how are you being a "steward" in His kingdom?

====

Q496: This parable today isn’t just about fruit and grapes and a tough landlord. Is there some meaning hidden there for me to act on today?

I find today’s Gospel story (Matthew 21:33-43) to be both sad and a forewarning. First comes the sadly distressing part. Even though so many of us (who call ourselves ‘Christian’) have “found the treasure” – the Messiah, many more who were the originally ‘chosen’ people have rejected him because he did not meet their political expectations. These latter folks recognize that Jesus was a Jew, but despite the evidence they deny his Resurrection from the dead; deny that he is the Messiah; and deny that he is the Son of God, the only faithful and true Israelite who could represent his people and save them.

The second part or “forewarning” is implicit in the story. Since so many Israelites did not bear fruit (i.e., respond appropriately to their Call to be the light to the Gentiles), the “vineyard” was turned over to others, to Gentiles who would indeed “bear fruit” and harvest the kingdom of God. However, the responsibility to bear fruit, to bring others to the Truth by acting as the light of Christ to the world, will always remains a significant challenge for Christians. If we become lax and our light goes out, then we will be in no better position that the first group who did not believe. In fact, we will be in a worse dilemma, because we believed but stopped acting on that belief.

The Call of the Israelites was to be a light to All the Nations. It was not a gift to be hoarded by them, producing a sense of superiority over others. Instead, it was a call to be a Servant for others. Now that same Call falls upon you and me, to be a beacon for Christ. Are you helping to build up the Body of Christ by your thoughts, words, deeds and prayers? Can you see how inactivity on your part might lead to your own personal loss of the vineyard, and consequently the same awesome judgment from the owner?

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! The vineyard was “planted” by God, and the True Vine is Christ who gives life and fruitfulness to the “branches” (those who believe in Him). Without the life from the True Vine, we can do nothing. (CCC #755) Pray that God’s light and truth find its way into every heart in the world!

====

Go To: Previous | Next Sunday