Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Over the last two weekends and today, we have heard three parables about the vineyard – the parable of the workers in the vineyard, the parable of the two sons sent to the vineyard, and today, we have the parable of the tenants in the vineyard. Jesus uses these parables to teach important lessons about life and faith.
The Vineyard
The vineyard is the common metaphor. As Isaiah says in today’s first reading, “The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel." The vineyard is a reference to God’s people, Israel, whom God brought from Egypt and settled in the Promised Land. God chose Israel among all the peoples in the world to bear witness to God’s love and care. Instead, Israel’s infidelity became a counter witness. Instead of producing good fruits, Israel produced questionable ones. Isaiah couldn’t be clearer: “The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!” (Is 5:7). Israel’s infidelity and counter witness did not end with Isaiah. Jesus’ parable of the tenants in the vineyard in today’s gospel reading tells us that Israel’s infidelity continued all the way up until the coming of Jesus. Jesus continues to use the vineyard metaphor to point out the attitude of the religious leaders of the time. Not only did they not bear good fruit, but they wanted to take over the vineyard and determine its destiny.
However, it is debatable if the parable as we have it can be attributed completely to Jesus. Rather, perhaps we should read it as a parable that addressed the situation in Matthew’s community. Scripture scholars tell us that considering that John the Baptist was martyred, that Jesus was persecuted and executed, and that the Temple was destroyed, through the parable, the early Christians were trying to understand their own calling. As they reflected on the failing of Israel’s religious leaders who persecuted the John the prophets and condemned Jesus to death, they were themselves trying to be faithful to the Gospel. The did not want to be like the religious leaders of the time. They wanted to bear the good fruit of the reign of God.
“A People that will Produce its Fruit”
Another reason scripture scholars attribute the parable to the early church is also because it is a reflection of the new reality in the post-resurrection era. This is captured at the end of the parable where Matthew says, “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit” (Mt 21:43). The early Christians saw themselves as the new people to whom God had entrusted the vineyard. As the Temple lay destroyed, they saw themselves as the new Israel and the new vineyard.
For us too, the vineyard can be a metaphor for multiple realties. The vineyard can be the church, our parish, our family, our work, and our individual lives. Each of these things is God’s gift to us. We are called to care for God’s gifts. We are also called to bear witness to God’s love and care through them. God’s hope is that we bear good fruits.
Only each one of us can determine the extent to which we are accomplishing this goal. The reality probably is that our lives are a mixed bag. I am sure most the time we are doing well and at other times we falter. However, as long as our lives our geared toward bearing witness to God through our fruits we are on the right path.
Naming the Good Fruits
What are the good fruits that God wants us to bear? Today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians gives us an insight into the good fruits that God expects from God’s people. Paul says: “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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” (Phil 4:8).
The practical implication of today scripture reading is simple – that our lives are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious, and in this way, we are individuals, families, and communities that bring glory to God.
As we celebrate this Eucharist and receive the Body and Blood of Christ, let us nourish ourselves with Christ’s presence. Nourished by God’s word and by Christ’s presence, may we bear fruit of the reign of God. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph