In the first reading from Peter we are told that god has given us everything we need and we should be virtuous and grateful and avoid corruption. We need to avoid those who are corrupt and avoid being corrupt. Evil desires can make people greedy instead of grateful, and they will not share in the divine nature in the next world.
But not everyone is virtuous or grateful, and too many are corrupted with evil desire. Jesus tells a parable. A man has a vineyard leased to tenants and he sends servants to check on the land and collect some profits, but instead of receiving gratitude the servants are beaten or killed. The tenants believe that if they get rid the servants and that connection to the landowner, they can keep the land and reap the profits. The landowner keeps trying to get some recompense and his due, but the tenants do not comply.
Eventually he sends his own son, his heir – their landlord in effect, but instead of respecting the beloved son, he too is killed and the tenants reason that if they kill the heir they themselves will have that inheritance. Just like how god sent the prophets and they were ignored and dismissed, and finally sent his own beloved son who was himself murdered. And will the tenants of the vineyard reap those rewards and take the inheritance they sought to take from the beloved son? The landowner will get rid of those tenants who harmed him and killed his son and make sure they do not get a reward from their wrong doing. What about those who dismissed the prophets and denied the beloved son? Will they reap any rewards? They will not share in the divine nature in the next world.
Those who are corrupted by evil desire and are not grateful or virtuous will not have the rewards. They do not deserve them, but those who are virtuous and grateful will share in the divine nature in the next world.
Tamora Whitney
I teach in the English department. I teach composition and literature and Critical Issues -- a class that has a component on Jesuit values.
I like writing these reflections because it makes me think more deeply about the scripture and think about how to integrate the ideas into my own life and how to share these ideas with others.
