In both the First Reading and Gospel from last Sunday’s Mass we were presented with beautiful allegories of God’s boundless love for His people and the tragic failure of the people to respond cheerfully and wholeheartedly. The prophet ISAIAH (5:1-7) depicts the people of God as God’s lavish vineyard which is brimming with promise however only sour grapes are produced (Isa 5:1-7). The gospel writer MATTHEW knows the inspiring words of Isaiah in what is popularly called Jesus’ parable of the vineyard (Mt 21:33-43).
Israel does not live up to their divine calling. As a result, God must gather others in order that His Kingdom come. Thus, the vineyard also is a symbol of the CHURCH and, therefore, pertains to every Christian disciple. What fruits can the Lord God find in our daily living? With our having received so very much from God, the fruits rightly should be abundant – frequent acts of charity, work completed well, generous care of family and friends. Or are we producing inedible fruit that represent selfishness, indifference (toward God and others) and spiritual mediocracy. After examining our own lives, let us then ask the questions of our parishes and other communities of faith.
