Today's passage from Isaiah is the tale of a vineyard that produced wild grapes despite the care that it was given. The Psalm considers Israel as a vineyard. The Epistle from Paul provides guidance for Christian behavior. The Gospel is The Parable of the Tenants (of the owner of a vineyard).

As I read today’s texts, I see a set of stories in which the Chosen People had lost their way. These three different references to a vineyard, each in their own way, seem to bring home the consequences of a drift in faith. In the first reading, I see a caring God (the vineyard owner) and an uncooperative people (the wild grapes) that have displaced the intended yield. The Psalm continues with another vineyard metaphor with the Lord bringing his chosen people out of slavery (the transplanted vine) only to have them lose what should be their focus (the vineyard is unprotected). The Gospel has the vineyard owner encountering tenants who reject his messengers and go so far as to kill his son (in a less than subtle allusion the prophets and Jesus). I see repetitive stories of Israel's rejection of the Lord.

What happens when recipients are not grateful for what they receive? The readings cite consequences. My sense is that if the early Church had remained a sect of Judaism, it might never have flourished. Recently I have been thinking about Paul's role in the growth of Christianity. My impression is that in contrast to the religious leaders of his time, Paul brought messages of gratitude and inclusiveness. I see his success relying less on judgment based on the place and background from which people came and more meeting people where they were. I imagine Paul encouraging Christian behavior that is modeled rather than a set of prescribed expectations.

If I go back to the text of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, I note the two sentences which precede today’s passage. Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. The early Church is called to be a supportive community. Service to the community is a critical aspect of evangelization. (My guess is that during Paul’s lifetime, the comment that “The Lord is near.” may have grown out of anticipation of the “Second Coming”. As I age and read “The Lord is near.”, it has a very different connotation.)

I find it hard to condemn the “Chosen People”. I think of how often I have not been welcoming to those who are different in terms of what they bring to the table. As I reflect on my own life, I consider the many occasions where I have been judgmental, where rigidity in what I have been willing to accept has been detrimental to my community. I wonder, if I had lived 2000 years ago, how I would have accepted Jesus. My prayer today is for the ability to keep a proper focus and for openness in welcoming into the community that which may be unfamiliar to me.

Dear Lord,
I think of the Israelites drifting way from God.
Then I think of my attention drifting as I am sitting through a Sunday sermon.
I pray for the ability to remain attentive to the Lord.
I reflect on the many times that I was hearing without listening.
I think of how often that I have made life difficult by putting my expectations in the way.
I pray for the ability to be open and welcoming.