Today’s readings: Isiah 5, 1-7; Phil. 4, 6-9; Matthew 21, 33-43.
The symbolism of vineyard cultivation and wine production which today features in Isaiah and in the parable in the reading from Matthew provides a timely prophetic insight on the times we are living in.
Considering that John’s gospel practically takes off with the wine miracle at Cana and that in the same gospel Jesus presents himself as the vine, wine production lends itself meaningfully to a deeper under-standing of the Church’s mission.
Many today find themselves at a crossroad where trust in institutions like the Church is concerned. We have learnt lately that in the wake of the sex abuse crimes by members of the clergy, many people all over the world are simply leaving the Church.
These are indeed tragic times. But looking at today’s readings it is a tragedy announced a long time ago. Just as in times of a global financial crisis, marketing firms know we are desperate for something solid to hold on to, we believers are called to go beyond the collective fears that mark our times.
God likened his people Israel, now the Church, to a vineyard. Vineyards have boundaries; they do not spread where they will in an uncontrolled manner.
As Martin Richards insightfully writes in his book Why God Planted A Vineyard, vineyards are created environmentally, they are hedged about for protection, cultivated and tended for harvest, and looked after with love and commitment.
The canticle of Isaiah in the first reading is a powerfully symbolic song of love. It tells of God’s relationship with his vineyard from the moment he planted it until that moment, sometime in the future, when he will harvest its crop.
God means business when it comes to what we basically and deeply crave for in life, and what we need just to keep going. He prides in cultivating His vineyard. He desires the very best from His vineyard.
So he is simply disappointed when the grape harvest fails. People also are disappointed when they expect grapes from God’s vineyard, from the Church, and get sour grapes instead. That is why this is the time for the Church to refocus and recompose itself before it is too late.
The Kingdom is never possessed by anyone or any particular people or institution. As a gift it is only given to whoever can make it produce fruit. It can also be taken away.
The gospel today repeats the foundation truth we need to hear again: Jesus is the keystone.
In his book The Wisdom of Stability, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, leader of the new monastic movement, writes: “The heart’s true home is a life rooted in the love of God, but the Christian tradition insists that this love is always God’s mercy directed at us. God offers us stability in the only thing that cannot fail – God’s faithfulness itself”.
These are times of turbulence for true faith. The house we live in badly needs some foundation work. But if there is instability, that should point us to foundation issues that need attention. The call for a new evangelisation that risks becoming a cliché should provide us with the right perspective to look at reality with the eyes of God.
Isaiah prophesied the Lord’s heart when he said: “Now let me sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved regarding His vineyard.” He then narrates poetically the story of a love betrayed.
There is anguish in God’s heart because we like to take control and do as we want. But God’s purpose for us is all-loving. For our sake, He is the one to be in control.
The Church, after Israel, was originally designed to be a people through whom God reveals His love to the world. If this becomes distorted, God will find other ways and means, because it is in His nature to be loving and make it known.
It can come thanks to the Church. It can come in spite of the Church. To some extent, the choice rests in our hands and God acts accordingly.