Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43
“What More Was There to Do for My Vineyard?”
1. In today’s first reading, we read, “My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stone, and planted the choicest vines; he built a watchtower within it. And hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes.” Isaiah’s question is the same one some parents have asked often. They have spent so much money on their children’s education with the expectation that they will do well in school and become successful, but they turned out to be the opposite. What more was there to do for those children? We have often invested in businesses expecting a better outcome, only to be disappointed with the result. And so we ask, what else was there to do that we did not do? Two Friends embarked on a project that they hoped would benefit them in the future, only to be outwitted and cheated out of it by one of them. The other partner is left with the question: What more was there to do that I did not do? A young woman started dating a young man; they had been together for months. They are now planning for their wedding. The young woman has invested so much in the relationship; she is now ready to settle down to begin a family and to live forever after with the love of her life. One day, she returned from work to see a note from her finance informing her that he was in love with someone else. In her anguish, she cried out, what more was there to do that I did not do? Many times, we have felt this way with members of our families. To some of them, we have given everything, short of our blood, but they go a different way when we expect them to turn one way. We cried out with Isaiah; what more was there to do that we did not do?
2. Today’s Gospel asks the same question as Isaiah. The parable is about the landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then, he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. He expected a bountiful harvest on his return. But those he sent to receive the produce when the vintage time drew near were ill-treated. Some were beaten, others killed. Even his son was thrown out of the vineyard and killed. Who were these heartless, ruthless, and corrupt tenants? Today’s Psalm tells us: “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”
3. The parable of Jesus is described as “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” His stories or parables are always directed to people of his time to point the light on the need to change their ways and give their lives to God. There are two types of parables: window parables and mirror parables. Mark Link, SJ describes a window parable as a simple story that teaches about God or His kingdom. It is a ‘verbal window’ to get insight into God or His kingdom. It often begins with “The kingdom of God is like.” Mirror parables are stories that act as “verbal mirrors.” They give us an insight into ourselves. In telling the mirror parables, Jesus made it easy for his listeners to see themselves in one of the characters in the parable. The parable in today’s Gospel is a typical mirror parable in that Jesus directed it primarily to the chief priests and the Pharisees, that is, the religious leaders of Israel.
4. The vineyard owner, in the parable, is God. According to the first reading and the Psalm, “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel, and the tenants are the leaders of Israel. The first group of slaves are the early prophets; the second group are the later prophets; the owner’s son, who was killed, is Jesus. The new tenant, to whom the owner leases the vineyard, are the apostles of Jesus. They are the new leaders of God’s people. Those who listened to Jesus knew that he was talking about them. They saw themselves in the parable and did not like it, but did they change their ways? No, they did not. This parable was not only directed to the scribes and the Pharisees, but to us as well. God has given us everything to change and be converted, but we are stuck in our ways. At Baptism, we promised to follow God’s ways, but no sooner than we made the promises, we forgot about them and continued in our ways.
5. According to Mark Link, this parable summarizes the complete biblical story of salvation, even to the point of making clear-cut references to the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The first leasing of the vineyard refers to the Old Covenant. The second leasing of the vineyard refers to the New Covenant. This parable affirms that Jesus is the Son of God. The last person sent to the tenants is not another slave. He is the vineyard owner’s son. Third, the parable affirms that Jesus’ apostles are the new leaders of God’s people. And finally, the parable teaches us about God’s patience with us and our accountability to God. It teaches us about trust and free will. God does not look over our shoulders. He allows us to be free to respond to his love. God seems to believe we will always do what is right and just. He gives us a long rope of repentance to change our minds. The vineyard owner made three efforts to get the tenant farmers to change their ways. When he saw more patience was futile, he passed judgment on the tenants. He held them accountable for their actions. It is the same way with God and us. God is infinitely patient. But the time will come when God’s patience runs out. He will pass judgment on to us and our ways. We will be held accountable for our actions.
6. So, dear friends, let us not take God’s patience for granted. The day will come for us to give an account of our lives and God’s gift to us. They say there are six days for the thief and only one for the house owner. Whatever we do, be it in government, office, church, or home with our children, may we take no one for granted. Like the vineyard was well equipped, what we receive from God is a privilege, not a right. God does not only give us a task to do; he also gives us the means to do it. We are custodians of God’s gift. We must be responsible for God’s many blessings. If our children refuse to grow up, we must show them tough love and teach them responsibility lessons.
7. Let us pray that we may shun sin in all its ramifications since sin is a rebellion against God. May we not be engaged in a deliberate policy of rebellion and disobedience towards God. May we treat everyone with love and respect so that God may not ask: What else could I have done for them that I did not do?
Rev. Augustine Inwang, MSP
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