‘… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious …’
Sunday, Oct. 4, is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43.
There is an urgency and clarity about the Gospel — and the certainly of hell.
“There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey,” Jesus says in the parable.
The vineyard signifies the many gifts, talents and abilities that God has given us. The hedge symbolizes the protection of God’s grace and mercy. The tower is symbolic of the Church. The landowner’s lease of the vineyard is a reminder that we are not our own. We belong to God; we must render an account to him and show forth fruits.
The parable continues, “When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.”
What are the values and fruits of the Kingdom? Faith, justice, mercy, peace, forgiveness, chastity, faithfulness, generosity, love of the poor, love of one’s family and friends — even love of one’s enemy — kindness, truth, sincerity, courage to speak the truth and witness to the faith, and an evangelical spirit.
Despite all that the owner has done by sending his servants (who symbolize the prophets), the tenants reject them all — and with increasing vehemence; their hearts grow harder. The landowner even sends his own son, but they drag him out of the vineyard and kill him.
Jesus died outside the city gates, murdered for seeking the fruit of faith from the tenants of the vineyard.
Today, there are many who reject God’s prophets with growing vehemence and abusive treatment. Many despise the Church, the Scriptures and those who seek to clarify and apply God’s word to moral issues of our day. There are many, according to Jesus, who effectively kill the life of God within them and utterly reject the Kingdom.
Those who rejected the prophets and murdered the king’s son are removed from the vineyard.
What does this mean for us? If we don’t want the Kingdom, we don’t have to have it.
On one level, it would seem everyone wants to go to heaven. But heaven is the fullness of the kingdom of God, where the will of God, the Kingdom’s values, are in full flower.
Many, however, do not want to live accordingly, as the second reading instructs:
“… whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.”
May we choose, and live, wisely.
This guide is adapted from a past one.
