The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to choose fruitful work in the vineyard of the Lord as the Life of Francis of Assisi offers a model of a faithful servant.
Working in the vineyard
The reading from the Prophet Isaiah is the song of the unfruitful vineyard.
* [5:1–7] Vineyard: although the term is sometimes used in an erotic context (Sg 1:6; 8:12), “vineyard” or “vine” is used more frequently as a metaphor for God’s people (27:2; Ps 80:9, 14, 15; Jer 2:21; 12:10; Ez 17:7; Hos 10:1; Na 2:2). The terms translated “friend” (yadid) and “beloved” (dod) suggest the Lord’s favor (Dt 33:12; 2 Sm 12:25; Ps 127:2) and familial background rather than introducing the piece as a “love song,” as is sometimes suggested. The prophet disguises the real theme (the people’s infidelity) so that the hearers will participate in the unfavorable judgment called for (vv. 3–4). Cf. the reversal of this parable in 27:2–6.1
Psalm 80 is a prayer for Israel’s restoration.
* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19).2
The reading from the Letter to the Philippians urges that we “Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”
* [4:1–9] This series of ethical admonitions rests especially on the view of Christ and his coming (cf. Phil 4:5) in Phil 3:20–21. Paul’s instructions touch on unity within the congregation, joy, prayer, and the Christian outlook on life.3
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs using the Parable of the wicked tenants.
* [21:41] They answered: in Mk 12:9 the question is answered by Jesus himself; here the leaders answer and so condemn themselves; cf. Mt 21:31. Matthew adds that the new tenants to whom the vineyard will be transferred will give the owner the produce at the proper times.4
George Butterfield comments that those who hate Jesus know that he is talking about them and himself. You can reject God’s Son but he will take the vineyard and give it to someone else who will produce good fruit. Finally, what is that good fruit that God wants from his vineyard? Saint Paul tells us.
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.5
Don Schwager quotes “Life through death,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Unless the Word of God had first assumed our mortal flesh He could not have died for us. Only in that way was the immortal God able to die and to give life to mortal humans. Therefore, by this double sharing He brought about a wonderful exchange. We made death possible for Him, and He made life possible for us." (excerpt from Sermon 218C, 1)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Isaiah 5:1-7 notes that even in the midst of this grim story, there is hope. Don’t forget that the landowner tirelessly cultivates his vineyard. He doesn’t give up! Yes, God expects to see fruit from his people, but only because he knows we can bear fruit. And yes, when we separate ourselves from God, we experience the consequences. But God constantly calls us back and offers us his help.
Think about the way Isaiah’s landowner took great pains to prepare and protect his vineyard. He planted it in fertile, well-cleared soil. He planted a hedge around it and built a tower to watch for enemies. Similarly, God plants us in his grace and gives each one of us all the nourishment we need to flourish under his care. Baptism makes you his own. The Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation nourish and restore you. The Holy Spirit lives in you and, like living water, helps you grow in holiness. What’s more, your brothers and sisters in the Lord, like the other vines in the vineyard, support and encourage you along the way.7
That’s cause for hope. Friar Jude Winkler shares the message of Isaiah that those who turn away from the Lord will be punished. In Philippians, Paul urges us to fill our lives with good things and we will get good results. Friar Jude comments on the threat to the Pharisees in the Jesus parable of the wicked tenants.
Brian Purfield, a member of the Mount Street Jesuit Centre team, writes about the mercy of Francis of Assisi. (Oct 4 is celebrated as Memorial of Francis of Assisi when it does not fall on a Sunday)
Just as mercy was a priority of Francis of Assisi, it has been so for the first pope to take his name, in this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in particular and in his pontificate in general, as is evidenced in his prayer on Easter Sunday 2013:
Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish.
As this Jubilee Year draws to a close, let us follow the example of Francis of Assisi and begin again to recognise the many ways in which we have experienced God’s mercy, and to be ever attentive to the occasions in which we are called to show mercy.8
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, would like to dedicate this week of meditations, which begins with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226), to his spiritual father’s life and legacy. Although many people are familiar with Francis’ story, Fr. Richard believes his well-grounded, revolutionary values of nonviolence, simplicity, and care for creation become more important with each passing year. Happily, we have a spiritual leader in Pope Francis who understands the power and the urgency of Francis’ message. Author and editor Robert Ellsberg describes the ways Pope Francis embodies the message of his namesake.
Yet, as soon became clear, Pope Francis aspired to live up to the challenge posed by his name. This was reflected immediately in his choice to dispense with fancy garments and the custom-made red shoes and, more notably, in his decision to forgo the Apostolic Palace in favor of a modest room in the Vatican guesthouse. But beyond these gestures of humility, the remembrance of St. Francis implied an agenda and a program for renewal. Francis, after all, was the saint who set out to rebuild and reform the Church by evoking the example and spirit of the Poor Man, Jesus. He spurned violence and power. He reached out to members of other religions. He treated women with dignity and respect. He cherished the earth and all its creatures. He pointed to a new form of human and cosmic community, marked by love. And he did all this with such a spirit of joy and freedom as to make him a source of wonder and attraction to many of his contemporaries. . . .9
We contemplate the example of the Life of Saint Francis as we work to be fruitful tenants in the vineyard of the Lord.
References
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