27^th Sunday in O.T.; October 8, 2017

Is 5:1-7   Ps 80   Phil 4:6-9   Mt 21:33-43

Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison

 

         The parable about the mis-management of a vineyard tells us a lot about the Kingdom of God and the choices we make. It shows us that we have everything we need right here and now to be happy, fulfilled. We want that because we are made to participate in and to be transformed by the One who is Life itself, Jesus. So, we want what God has–namely, everlasting life—but, we want it independently of God. We want it on our terms.

The owner of the vineyard symbolizes God, who provides the fundamental structure of the vineyard, which symbolizes his people. He plants the seeds which represent the Kingdom of God so that all that remains is to harvest, which leads to everlasting life. He puts up a hedge so that wild animals, our enemies, can’t attack the grapes.   He digs a winepress so that all the tenants have to do is to bring the grapes. He builds a tower as a watch post and a place of shelter. These actions by the owner shows his priority: namely, to care for those to whom he will lease, give access to the vineyard. In short, he has done everything he can for our well-being. In the first reading from Isaiah, the owner asks, “What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it?” (Isa 5:4).

Given all of that, what do the choicest vines yield? WILD GRAPES! Wild grapes—how can that be when God has done everything he can to give us access to his Kingdom? Among all this bounty, why do we end up with sour grapes? Never satisfied, always complaining, why do we focus on the negative? Why do we glom on to the weeds that choke the vines, producing sour grapes   In a weird distorted perception, we classify the weed as something good, that is equal, maybe even better to the vines. So, we pursue the goods of the world believing if I have enough stuff, status and respect, control and domination, and pleasure—especially, unintegrated sex, an alchohol buzz, or a drug high—that I can be happy, at least for a short period of time. But, when we get comfortable with the weeds, it yields sour grapes, which leads to frustration, anxiety, fear, and a general sense of hopelessness. Spiritual panic sets in.

With too many sour grapes, the vineyard is overrun with thorns and briers, snagging the faithful people who are trying to navigate and nurture the vineyard to bear fruit.

Fortunately, God does not give up on us. He sends prophets who challenge us to be faithful to our covenant duties. They, however, are beaten, stoned, and killed. Finally, the owner sends his Son who will be the heir and the capstone of the vineyard. Surely, we would listen to him.

But the tenants see the presence of the son as an opportunity they have all been waiting for. They really want the vineyard for themselves, but without the owner.   They are not happy with the status of tenants, who are radically dependent upon the owner for everything they are and everything they have.   But, if they get rid of the Son, they can have the vineyard for themselves. They can be the owner.

The tenants want to be happy. They want the inheritance. They want it all. But, they want it all for themselves. By turning in upon themselves (incurvatus a se, to use St. Augustine language), to be wrapped up in themselves, they don’t want to be accountable to God or to other people. Isolating themselves from genuine relationship with God and their brothers and sisters, they’ve become greedy. They grab for everything they can get, manipulating and controlling others to promote their self-absorbed agenda. They live in a world of scarcity, so they make sure “they get what’s theirs.” When more people are included, they feel threatened as they instinctively feel that they will have less. They exclude themselves from God and others because they want it all.

Brothers, we are invited to be the new tenants to occupy the vineyard with the intent of producing grapes for choice wine that refresh and accompany celebration rather than sour grapes. If we reside in the vineyard with faith and strive to obey our Father’s will, God will not be a taskmaster lashing us to produce fruit. Instead, he asks us to be patient with ourselves and others to produce fruit at its proper time, realizing to produce quality fruits takes time, nurturing.

Being people of prayer and thanksgiving will govern our efforts for the peace of God will be a hedge around our hearts preventing us from becoming sour grapes. Tending the vineyard of our Lord as faith-filled tenants, means we seek the Truth while hoeing the soil. It means we seek honorable co-workers who will challenge us to be faithful and accompany us on our journey. It means that we will distribute the fruits of the vineyard according to the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially those most in need.

Let us praise God continually, even in the challenges of being a Christian, for his trust in us making us workers in his kingdom. This is a paradigm to fill our lives with peace.

Brothers, we do not own the vineyard; we work in it. When we want it all, we inherit nothing. But, when we surrender ourselves in Love to the One who is Love, we inherit everything that matters: God’s Kingdom! Amen.