BASED ON CATHOLIC LITURGICAL READINGS
27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
THEME: “GOD´S EXPECTATIONS”
((Readings: 1st: Isa 5:1-7; Ps:79; 2nd: Phil 4:6-9; Gos: Mt 21:33-43))
Today being the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, our mother church is inviting us first to rejoice for being highly favored because God chose us as his beloved vineyard, as well as appointed us to be in charge of his vineyard. What did God expect from us? It is not enough to be called Christians; it is necessary to bear good fruits in our Christian life. In today’s first reading, which is called Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard, the prophet describes God’s love and care and expectations for His Chosen People. He chose Judah as the apple of his eyes (Zach 2:8) and as his beloved garden, and did everything possible to make her comfortable. God’s chosen people have failed to bear fruit in spite of the blessings lavished upon them by a loving and forgiving God. They have been poor tenants in the Lord’s vineyard. Today God is lamenting: “I expected my vineyard to yield good grapes. Why did it yield sour grapes instead“ What should God do with such a useless vineyard?
St. Paul tells Philippians in the second reading about how they should be fruit-producing Christians by praying and giving thanks and by practicing justice, purity, and graciousness in their lives. Jesus in the gospel today reminds us Christians that since we are the “New Tenants”, enriched with an abundance of blessings from God, we are expected to show our gratitude to God by producing fruits of the kingdom of God in our lives. We should be careful with the way we live our lives in order to avoid disappointing God as our ancestors did on their journey to the promised land.
Our God has been so good and gracious to us. What do we give him in return? Today we meditate on God´s expectations in our life. What are the fruits that we are expected to bear in our Christian life?
- FRUITS OF GRATITUDE
An English song for sadaka composed by Jude Nnam goes as follows: “What shall I offer to the Lord to make him happy? If I give him the best of my clothes, shoes, cars, houses, gift, he may not take it BUT a loving, patient, humble and caring heart He will love it”. We can not repay all the blessings that we have received from God but a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving is so pleasing to God. Did you know that “Holy Mass” is also known as “a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving”? If you do not attend Holy Mass is a sign of ingratitude to God for what he has done to you, a sign of sour and wild grapes. Always remember to be thankful for everything!
- FRUITS OF FAITHFULNESS/FIDELITY
In the first reading, Isaiah describes God’s tender care for and interest in His Chosen People. “What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?” Though God has done everything necessary to produce a good crop, the vineyard yields only “wild grapes.” What do you do with such a disappointing vineyard? The history of our salvation is a reminder of God´s benevolence towards his people who failed him repeatedly and miserably, producing wild and bitter grapes. Israel disobeyed and became unfaithful to the covenant they made with God and consequently, they were taken to exile.
Dear friend, by baptism, which Jesus instituted, we are made the children of God and heirs of heaven. We have sealed a covenant with God and we are supposed to bear fruits of faithfulness to our baptismal vows. Have you been a faithful Christian or you are producing sour grapes of sin; witchcraft, idolatry, blasphemy, etc.? Whenever you enter into a relationship with God, do not become unfaithful because quoting the word of Isaiah today “The unproductive vineyard will be destroyed and laid to waste”.
- FRUITS OF JUSTICE, LOVE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Israelites as God’s chosen people were to produce fruits of justice, love, and righteousness. But they produced the bitter grapes of injustice, immorality, and idolatry. They persecuted and killed the prophets. As a final attempt, the landowner sent his son, (Jesus) to collect the rent (fruits of righteousness) from the wicked tenants (the Jews). But they crucified him and continued to lead a life of disloyalty and disobedience. Hence God’s vineyard was taken away from His chosen people and was given to a people (Gentiles) who were expected to produce fruit of righteousness.
As Christians, we are the tenants and we have no other option other than producing fruits of righteousness. If we stop being productive, then we cease being a tenant in the vineyard. St. Paul is therefore exulting us to remain connected with God through prayer of adoration and thanksgiving. Paul assures us that such prayers will bring peace of mind in this life and eternal peace and happiness in the life to come.
In brief dear friend, the parable of the unproductive vineyard describes the history of ingratitude, infidelity, and hard-heartedness of God’s chosen people. God has provided us with good health, family, properties, and everything you can think about. What else has God not done to you? You are expected to bear good fruits in the right season. All our properties, businesses, families, and even our bodies belong to God. We are the only tenant entrusted to take care of them. Sometimes we forget this fact and we want to be owners. “Naked I came from my mother´s womb, and naked I will return.” (Job 1:21) Never forget that fact!
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for everything you have done for me. Amen
Fr. Antony Muchui, SVD
Blessed Sunday
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“May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all People. Amen”
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 