Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year (Year A)

Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year October 08, 2023

Isaiah 5:1-7   Philippians 4:6-9   Matthew 21:33-43

(image courtesy: Google)

Two brothers went treat-or-tricking and collected some eggs. The elder said to his younger brother, “I will give you one dollar if you let me break three eggs on your head.” The little boy knew it was going to be a painful experience, but because he needed the dollar he agreed. The bigger boy then went on to break an egg on his brother’s head. His brother took it with an “Ouch!” Then he broke the second egg on his little brother’s head. This time it really hurt and his little brother cried out in pain. But the young lad was determined to get his dollar. So he braced himself for the third and last egg, but his senior brother walked away laughing. “Come on, bring on the third egg,” said the little boy. “Nope!” said the bigger brother, “I don’t wanna lose my dollar.”

You could dismiss the story as kids playing pranks, but there is something more serious going on here. It is called breach of contract. We are talking about the sense of responsibility, the recognition that every privilege we enjoy comes with a price tag. Like the big brother in our story, some people go about trying to take advantage of others, of the society, and even of God. 

Let us examine today’s parable. We see that in the parable of the rebellious farm managers in today’s gospel, who enjoy the benefits that accrue to them as managers but withhold the benefits that should go to the landowner. Today’s gospel calls for responsibility and accountability in our dealings with God, which include our dealings with our fellow human beings.

As we reflect more deeply into this parable, we find profound lessons that are relevant to our lives today:

Firstly, God's Mercy: The landowner's patience and persistence in sending servants, and ultimately his own son, mirrors God's boundless mercy. God continually reaches out to us, offering opportunities for repentance and conversion, even when we falter and turn away from Him.

Secondly, our Responsibility: We are the tenants in the vineyard of God's kingdom. We have been entrusted with the precious gift of faith and the responsibility to nurture and bear fruit through acts of love, kindness, and justice. Are we fulfilling our duty as faithful stewards?

Thirdly, rejecting God's Messengers: The tenants' rejection of the landowner's servants mirrors humanity's tendency to resist God's messengers and His call to righteousness. We must not harden our hearts but remain open to God's guidance through His Word and the teachings of the Church.

Fourthly, the Son's Sacrifice: The son's willingness to go to the vineyard, knowing the danger he faced, is reminiscent of Jesus' own sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus gave His life for our salvation, highlighting the depth of God's love and mercy for us.

Fifthly, bearing Fruits of Repentance: Just as the landowner expected a harvest of grapes, God desires the fruits of repentance from us. We must continually examine our lives, seek forgiveness for our sins, and strive to bear fruits that reflect God's love and mercy.

In light of these lessons, we are challenged to respond to God's mercy with gratitude and a commitment to live as faithful stewards of His kingdom. He expects us to remain faithful to our promises. It's easy to fall into the trap of complacency or self-centeredness, but this parable reminds us that our actions have consequences, both in this life and the next.

Let us remember that God's mercy is always available to us, no matter how many times we may have strayed or failed. We are called to repentance, to turn away from sin, and to embrace the love and forgiveness that God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Let us also acknowledge the responsibility we bear as stewards of God's kingdom. Our faith should not be a passive possession but a living, active commitment to bear fruits of love, justice, and compassion in the world.

Let us take this opportunity to renew our relationship with God, to seek His mercy and forgiveness, and to recommit ourselves to being faithful stewards of His kingdom. May the message of divine mercy in today's Gospel inspire us to live more fully in God's love and to bear abundant fruits of repentance for the glory of His name.

Happy Sunday