The vineyard in our Gospel reading today has always been seen as one of the symbols of the Catholic Church. In fact, paragraph 755 of the Catechism says the following:
“The Church is a cultivated field, the tillage of God. On that land the ancient olive tree grows whose holy roots were the prophets and in which the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles has been brought about and will be brought about again. That land, like a choice vineyard, has been planted by the heavenly cultivator. Yet the true vine is Christ who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us, who through the Church remain in Christ, without whom we can do nothing.”
The vineyard of the Catholic Church is intended to be the reconciliation of all mankind with God. This reconciliation is ultimately, of course, through the Paschal Mystery: the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Paschal Mystery reconciles all matter, all time, and all space to God. We, as Catholics, have the extreme and unique privilege to participate in that ultimate reconciliation through our active participation in the Mass.
The people that come into the vineyard are meant to be grafted to the vine through Baptism and nourished then through the Eucharist. But, it is up to us to bring people into the vineyard. Bringing people into the vineyard is what the great commission is all about.
The pearl of great price, the Eucharist, is meant to be shared with the whole of humanity as we bring more people into the vineyard. That is how we are to be good tenants of the vineyard.
To be good tenants of the vineyard, we share this great gift of divine reconciliation with others, walking with them in their journey to and with Christ, ensuring the ancient olive tree continues to grow.
Conversely, the bad tenants of the vineyard tell us that faith is a personal matter and that we should not share our faith with others. The bad tenants of the vineyard tell us the Church should not weigh in on social justice issues, political issues, and other societal and cultural concerns. The bad tenants of the vineyard count on the silence of the good tenants.
We know differently. We know that while our faith may be personal, it is not meant to be private. In the great commission, Jesus Christ challenges us, and even commands us, to go forth boldly in our homes and communities, wearing the joy of the Gospel on our sleeves…to be agents of reconciliation to the world…calling His children home.
As it says in paragraph 845 of the Catechism: “To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son's Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is ‘the world reconciled.’”
Brothers and sisters, the Kingdom of God has been given to us to produce its fruit. At the same time, we remember that Jesus said the laborers are few. In His words, we recognize that we need more good tenants in the vineyard to gather the harvest. It is up to us, as the good tenants, to find them.
Let us spend time this Lent pondering and discerning what gifts has God given to each and every one of us to help the Church be fruitful? Let us spend time this Lent pondering and discerning what gifts God has given to each and every one of us to invite others to be a more active part of our parish community?
Working through us to produce fruit in His vineyard, allowing us to be agents of His reconciliation with creation, is just one of the many marvels of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
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