New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 22: Year A
Philippians 3:4b-14 and Matthew 21:33-46
“Jesus said, “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.”” (Matthew 21:33)
In some circles God is referred to as the Great Architect of the Universe, the One who both Creates and Maintains all creation.
We are the tenants of this earth today. The Creator has done (and is doing) everything for us already. All we have to do is monitor it and keep it in ecological and spiritual balance with the rest of nature on earth. God, like the owner of the vineyard, has fashioned the universe with this earth our island home with everything we need to sustain ourselves. And has given us the necessary wisdom to use the resources of our environment to our protection, comfort and nourishment.
Jesus told this parable against the chief priests and the Pharisees by saying that the Hebrew people tried to hijack what is rightfully God’s. These religious leaders began to put themselves in the place of God and putting their own needs and desires ahead of God’s will for all people.
I have come to believe that God, the owner of the vineyard is looking for the fruit of humanitarian harmony amongst us. When God comes to collect, God wants to know that creation is in good hands and the primary fruit of the harvest is the love and respect we have for one another.
God has built a vineyard of faith whereby we may grow the fruits of love for God, and for one another. It is so important for us to understand that we are tenants here on this fragile earth our island home and in this our present earthly life. The Owner of this vineyard is coming to see what we have grown faithfully and harmoniously with one another.
Harmony then, the willingness to get along with one another, is the stone that too many people still reject today. But, it is the cornerstone of building relationships.
Will our children have faith? Will we live in harmony? Harmony then, is the real fruit that God will be looking for. If we live our lives fully believing that we are not the owner of anything, including our own lives, then we will begin to see the value of living for the health and welfare of others. We are renters even of our own lives. Let’s do the best we can with what we have and assist others in doing the same with theirs.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, and our schools
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
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