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As
vineyard laborers,
we’re called to harvest goodness
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Based
on the Gospel of Matthew 21:33-43
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| Illustration by
Phil Younk |
Vineyards again. People living in Jesus’ time usually
had farms on which they tried to produce everything they
needed. There was a kitchen garden (vegetables and herbs)
and some sheep for the family’s wool; the women
of the family took care of both. Even the poorest family
would have a few grapevines so they could have grapes.
Some grapevines were also grown in the courtyards in
town. But, there were also large vineyards with watchtowers
from where men guarded the land against vandals. Fig
trees, other fruit trees, even olive trees, were planted
in the vineyards to enable the grapevines to climb up
them and trail along from tree to tree. Grapevines also
ran at ground level.
Like the past few Sundays, Jesus again speaks about a vineyard in this Sunday’s
Gospel. A vineyard owner rents his vineyard to tenant farmers while he is away
on business, asking only that they give him a share of the harvest. When it is
time to harvest the grapes, the owner sends some servants to collect his share.
But the tenant farmers beat one servant, kill another and stone the third. When
the owner sends even more servants to collect his share, they are treated the
same way. Finally, the owner sends his own son, thinking they will treat him
better. Instead the farmers seize the son and kill him.
Jesus asks the chief priests and elders, “What will the owner do when he
gets to the vineyard?” They answer, “He will punish the tenant farmers
and put other people in charge of his vineyard.”
God the Father is like the vineyard owner. God the Father sent his son Jesus
to share the Good News and to bring God’s message to all people. Many people
heard the message, turned back to God, and tried to love God and neighbor. But
some people refused to listen and believe. They even seized Jesus and put him
to death on the cross.
Just as the vineyard would be taken from the tenant farmers and leased to others,
so the kingdom of God will be taken from those who refuse to listen to Jesus’ message
and will be given to others who will listen and live as Jesus taught.
The vineyard owner in this Sunday’s Gospel, God, in his unending love for
us, gives us everything we need to enjoy the riches of his vineyard. He leaves
it up to us to produce a harvest of goodness in the world around us. We must
do it faithfully and wholeheartedly in thanksgiving for God’s love.
(Couture is a catechist at St. Aloysius Parish, West Allis.) |
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