Saturday, October 10, 2020
![Sauvignon_blanc_vlasotince_vineyards[1]](https://thenoontimes.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/sauvignon_blanc_vlasotince_vineyards1.jpg?w=300&h=208)
When Vintage Time Arrives
In this parable we see wicked people kill the owner’s son so that they can take over the land. We humans tend to interpret our own actions in the best light in order that they suit our own ends. We explain our lack of unity by calling up examples that support our own version of a story. By our lack of generosity and honesty, we demonstrate our belief that God is not good enough or big enough to help all of us. Our own stinginess and need to control demonstrate a belief that God is limited in some way. When we create division, confusion and disunity we forget that God brings order out of chaos and good out of harm. And we also forget that Jesus calls each of us to do the same. Jesus shows us how to heal with a touch rather than ostracize with a look, yet we reject Jesus as the cornerstone when we refuse to see God’s presence in the least of us.
In this story the wicked men answer their own question in verse 41: [The landowner] will put those wretched men to death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper time. There is no doubt about the message here: Fruit at the proper time – this is what we called to bear.
God wishes nothing more than for all of us go to him in unity. So let us ask for forgiveness and forgive. Let us make reparations and accept a reparation being made. Let us heal and be healed. Let us pray our enemies into goodness so that all of us might bear fruit.
God wants to include all of us in the work of the vintage time. God calls each of us to our seat at the great feast. God calls the slow as well as the swift, the unfaithful as well as the faithful, the lame as well as the walking. God makes a Universal Call . . . What will be our response?
Dearest God, we know that you will continue to beckon, continue to wait, continue to love, and continue to unfold your plan. We know that you ask each of us to bear fruit in your time rather than our own. Send us your wisdom, perseverance and generosity. Send us your love and strength. Speak clearly to us so that we might more readily hear your words as the landowner who sends his messengers to us. Grant that we come forward willingly with the fruit of your harvest. Grant that we find the courage to help even our enemies so that they might rise and go to you. And grant that we be alert and ready when the vintage time arrives. Amen.
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Adapted from a reflection written on September 13, 2007.
Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loire_Valley_(wine)
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