TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
(Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43)
We see another parable in today’s gospel. It may seem as forgettable as last week’s
story of the man with two sons. However,
both are helpful when understood for all their worth. The two parables are directed to the same
audience. Jesus is debating with the religious leaders of Jerusalem. He is telling them that God is replacing
their regime because they have not guided the people to justice. In the words of today’s gospel, they have not
given to the Lord his produce.
Today’s parable of the landowner and the tenants is an
allegory. Allegories are stories in
which every character and object stands for some a person and object in real
life. When Nathan the prophet told King David the story of the rich man who had
the poor man’s only ewe slaughtered, he was making an allegory. David, of course, was the rich man; the
soldier Uriah was the poor man; and the ewe was Uriah’s wife, Bethsheba.
The allegory of the tenants is more complicated. The vineyard is the Kingdom of God given to
Jewish tenants so that they might produce a righteous people, the fruit of the
vineyard. However, the Jewish leaders have
failed in this task. Instead of living
justly themselves, they have killed God’s servants, the prophets, and will have
His son, Jesus himself, crucified. Now
the kingdom is being taken from the Jews and given to new tenants, the
gentiles. It is hoped that these
non-Jews will produce true righteousness for God.
The gentiles are our ancestors. They are the non-Jewish
peoples who received the gospel from missionaries like St. Paul. Therefore, we
should ask ourselves if we are producing justice. Perhaps it would be best if
each of us asked himself or herself individually. Using the edifying words of St. Paul in today’s
second reading, am I doing “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever
is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious … (and) worthy
of praise”?
It can be assumed that we hear at Sunday Mass the help we
need to live according to St. Paul’s high standards. Do we keep them in mind
and live them seven days a week? I fear that many of us often fail this test.
We come to church on Sunday to visit God in his holy temple.
But, during the week, do we visit the sick and imprisoned? At the very least,
do we telephone them? We put five or ten
dollars in the collection for parish needs? But, do we set aside any money for the poor
and distressed? We may read or perform
other services at Mass, but what service do we offer for the benefit of our community
during the week?
Indeed, there are thousands of needs we can address. To
fulfill Paul's norms, we should accomplish at least one. But perhaps we don't
have time to do much. We may be busy with studies or must work two jobs. Then
let us at least fulfill our primary responsibilities diligently. Let us not
distance ourselves from our families but rather give them as much attention and
support as possible. Let us be honest at our jobs by giving an hour of work for
every hour we are paid. One thing more,
to live honorably we must be respectful and truthful with everyone.
Most importantly, we pray on Sunday at church. But do we also pray during the week? We don't mean just grace before dinner or the
rosary at night. Rather, do we communicate with God as our friend throughout
the day. We can ask His help to be
faithful Christians. Regular conversation with Him will make us “true and “honorable”
in everything. God is always present to us so that we may be righteous in all we
say and do.
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