GROW AS A DISCIPLE
I enjoy thinking about what it would have been like to hear Jesus’ teachings as a first-century Jew. When Jesus calls out the current tenants of the vineyard as being unfaithful, disobedient servants, it may have left the crowd feeling a bit anxious. And really, Jesus could say this to each of us at times because, like the wild grapes in the vineyard, when left to our own devices we also have a tendency to fall into sin and produce unsavory fruit. But we also know that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and he wants our lives in his vineyard to be characterized by that peace. Christ is not condemning, but he is the Son sent to call the tenants back into communion with the Father. He does the same with us too. In acts of great mercy, Christ continues to call us again and again – even after we reject him and turn away from him. Through the Church, the sacraments, the intercession of the saints, and the holy men and women who proclaim the Gospel today, God continues to seek us out so we might know the peace of fruitful service in his vineyard.
GO EVANGELIZE
Christ longs to give us peace that surpasses all of our fears and anxieties, and he does so by inviting us to be good stewards of his created world and the community of believers. He invites us to work in the vineyard – to offer our gifts and talents to bring forth the fruits of love and joy that overflow from the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We do so with the assurance that salvation is not dependent on us. Our Father has sown the seeds and has prepared the vineyard; we are simply called to reap and preserve what he has brought into being. And so, we trust in the overwhelming mercy of God and humbly accept the love and communion that we do not deserve.
REFLECT
Just as the landowner sent messengers to the tenants of the vineyard, God sends people to us to proclaim the Gospel. Who are those people in your life who are calling you to a deeper relationship with God? How can you open your heart to hear the message of love and peace that they are proclaiming?
By The Faithful Disciple