In today’s first reading and gospel we have two parables about vineyards from Isaiah 5:1–7 and Matthew 21:33–43. Both parables begin with great expectations and hope and both end with destruction and violence. Although these parables are similar in many ways, there are some substantial differences.
In Isaiah’s parable the winegrower carefully tended his crop from clearing the land to harvesting only to destroy it in the end when it did not yield an acceptable crop. In Jesus’ parable the winegrower planted the crop then entrusted its care to tenants while he went on a journey. When the tenants attempted to swindle the winegrower, and murder his servants and his son, they were destroyed and the vineyard was passed on to other tenants who were willing to give the winegrower “the produce at the proper times.”
Isaiah and St. Matthew explained the meaning of their parables clearly. Both winegrowers represented God. For Isaiah the vineyard was “the house of Israel” and the plants were “the people of Judah.” The God presented to us in the Old Testament carefully nurtured the vineyard and the crop but ultimately destroyed everything and everyone that did not meet God’s expectations.
In Jesus’ parable the carefully planted vineyard was the kingdom of God and the tenants were the people to whom God entrusted the care of the kingdom; the “chief priests and the elders of the people.” I think it is safe to assume that if the new tenants failed to fulfil their obligations they would meet a similar fate.
What is the lesson for us thousands of years later? These parables are lessons on our stewardship in the kingdom of God. We are as much a part of the kingdom as the people of Judah in Isaiah’s time and the chief priests and elders in Jesus’ time. We have the opportunity to produce good fruit, acknowledging God’s role in the process or we can produce wild (sour) grapes.
God gives us everything we need to build the Kingdom and produce good fruit. He trusts us to do the work. He gives us second and third opportunities to succeed. And, as St. Paul reminds us in today’s second reading from Philippians 4:6–9, God expects us to perform our tasks with an attitude that is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and worthy of praise. If we can accomplish all of this, then we can be assured that “the God of peace will be with” us forever and ever.
Lord God, our Father,
today you ask us:
What more could I have done for you?
Teach and help us to respond with our whole being
to your daily forgiveness and patience,
to the riches of life brought us by Jesus,
to the prompting of the Holy Spirit,
that we may be a people that bears lasting fruits.
May we bring to all a justice animated by love,
may we learn to share as you do with us.
Show us your mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
