27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A); October 8, 2023

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

Deacon Jim McFadden

The parable about the mismanagement of the vineyard tells us a

lot about the Kingdom of God, the choices we make, and the God who is always faithful in his forgiveness and mercy. As a visual aid to our reflection, I encourage you to check out  James B. Janknegt’s The Wicked Tenants, as a meditative icon as we unpack the spiritual meaning of this parable.

            This allegorical story describes to us a landowner who, after having taking great care of his vineyard (cf. Mt 21:33), had to depart and leave it in the hands of farmers.  Then, at harvest time, he sends some servants to collect the fruit, but the tenants welcome the servants with a beating, and some even kill them.  The household sends other servants, more numerous, but they receive the same treatment (cf. vv. 34-36).  The peak is reached when the landowner decides to send his son: the vine growers have no respect for him; on the contrary, they think that by eliminating him they can take over the vineyard, and  so they kill him too (cf. vv. 37-39).

            The image of the vineyard is clear: it represents the people the Lord has chosen and formed with such care; the servants sent by the landowner are the prophets, while the son represents Jesus.  And just as the prophets were rejected, so too Christ was rejected and killed.

            As we stand before this parable, let us not think that it only applies to those who rejected Jesus 2,000+ years ago. It applies to all times, including our own. There are two dynamics at work here.  To begin with, the parable shows the intentionality of the landowner: namely, he really cares for those whom he has leased the land and wants them to have access to the fruits of their labor.  In short, the landowner, who stands for God the Father, has done everything he can for our well being.  In the first reading from Isaiah, the owner plaintively asks, “What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done it” (Isaiah 5:4).

            Given all of this, how do the tenants, how do we respond?  Put simply,  they want it all, they want the vineyard, but without God!  They assume a grasping, possessive attitude. They do not consider themselves stewards of the vineyard, but rather they want to be the landowners, displacing God.   They want to be in charge; so, they refuse to hand over the harvest.  That’s why they mistreat the servants, to the point of killing several of them.  They really want the vineyard, they want their life for themselves, but without God 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.  That is why they have to get rid of the Son, so they can have the inheritance.  Eventually, they can be the owner, which replays the story of The Fall in Genesis 3. 

The parable teaches us so much about our fallen human nature that we are capable of such ignorance, wickedness, and ingratitude. The question remains, however, how will God respond? We hear, “When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” (v. 40). The question emphasizes that God has got to be disappointed at the choices

and behavior of the wicked tenants. How could he not be? But the parable goes right to the heart of Christianity: a God, who, even though disappointed by our mistakes and our sins, does not fail to keep his Word, does not give up, and most of all, does not seek vengeance but forgives.

Why doesn’t God seek to avenge himself? Why doesn’t he seek an eternal pay-back! I mean, humanity killed the Son of God–surely, the only action to redeem that infinite transgression is damnation, right? Thank goodness Gods’ thoughts and ways are not ours.  What does God do instead? He waits for us to forgive us, to embrace us. Despite rejecting his prophets, despite rejecting the cornerstone of the Kingdom of God, his Son, God continues to circulate “new wine” in his vineyard, namely mercy.

God’s graciousness does demand a response on our part. The only obstacle to the tenacious and tender will of God is our arrogance and deceit, which can frequently turn into rage and violence. Faced with such obstinance, God will not force us to love Him; to do so, would not be love. Faced with such belligerent attitudes where no good fruit is produced, God retains the power to reprimand and reproach: “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it” (v. 43).

The urgency of replying with good fruits to the call of the Lord calls to mind what is so new and original about our Christian faith: essentially, it is not so much about precepts, doctrines, or devotional practices–though they are important and do have a place. Rather, our faith is essentially about a Person, Jesus of Nazareth, who invites us into a love story involving the Trinity, which produces an open vineyard, rich in its grapes and is open to everyone. A closed vineyard that is only open to  an in-group fortress mentality, collapses in upon itself, becomes unmanageable, and produces wild grapes

We are called to leave this vineyard and put ourselves at the service of our brothers and sisters, who are not like us, in order to shake each other from our complacency and encourage each other to remind ourselves that we must be the Lord’s vineyard in every environment, even those which are outside our comfort zones and challenge us to be authentic followers of Christ Jesus.

Brothers and sisters,  we do not own the vineyard; it belongs to God. We work in it according to our Father’s will.  When we want it all without God, we inherit nothing. But, when we surrender ourselves in  Love to the One who is Love, we inherit everything that matters: God’s Kingdom!  Let us be united to Mary Most Holy who is always spiritually united with the Landowner!  Amen.