1st Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 80:8.11.12-13.14-15.17b.18-19 (R. Is. 5:7a)
2nd Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel Acclamation: John 15:16/
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43
Theme: Grace Given, Grace misused and Grace rejected
Grace is an unmerited or undeserved favour from God to us. It is not something we can buy with money or wealth or human power, for, it is priceless. Though it is a gift, we can and must also ask for it through fervent prayer. The grace of God is like a piece of diamond with many faces and different dimensions, yet, it is the same precious mineral. Again, the grace of God is like the sunshine which beams with many different rays. There are two main kinds of grace. The first is common grace which is available to all by virtue of being God’s creatures. For example, the rain falls, the wind blows and the sun shines for everybody. These are the taken-for-granted graces which come our way all the time. The second is special grace which is solicited through fervent prayer in order to accomplish a task or perform a divine/sacred function; some call it anointing.
Grace is so amazing that it turns a die-hard sinner into a saint, a hurting spouse into a loving partner, a happy-go-lucky person into a conscientious individual and a delinquent child into an obedient novice. It is from this background that St. Thomas Aquinas speaks about the various graces bestowed on us by God, for example, sanctifying grace which brings perfection to souls. In today’s readings, Jesus uses metaphors and a parable to paint a graphic picture of how God lovingly, mercifully and patiently bestows his graces on us irrespective of our unworthiness, and he expects us all to show forth the work of grace in us by bearing lasting fruits (cf. Jn. 15:16).
In the first reading, God speaks through Prophet Isaiah using the symbol of a vineyard. Israel, the beautiful vine of God, refuses to yield quality grapes after its vinedresser, God, had taken very good care of it using the best agricultural practices by choosing a good and fertile soil rid of stones, as well as, pruning, watering and fencing it. As if this was not enough, he also built a watchtower to serve as a security post. In fact, all the necessary conditions necessary for growth were provided. In spite of all these, the vine fails to produce good fruits. This same imagery of the vineyard is taken up by Jesus in the Gospel to teach his audience which consisted of the Chief priests and elders of the people. Apparently, towards the end of the Gospel, Jesus is direct in his chastisement of the Jewish authority. Particularly, he says “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it” (Mt. 21:43). This is a serious indictment not only on the Jewish authority, but also a serious warning to all who have met with God’s grace, yet, have either misused or rejected it altogether!
We are the new Israel, the chosen people of God, the vine of God beautifully and lovingly placed
in the vineyard of the world. The hedge/fence, fertile soil, winepress and watch-tower are all the ‘graces’ which come our way as God’s children. God is so gracious and solicitous that he never cuts short his supply of grace, protection, mercy and ‘second chances.’ He also keeps on sending his servants, the prophets, to warn and re-direct us to himself, yet, we so often despise and kill some of them. He sends his only begotten Son, Jesus, and him too, we crucify by virtue of our sins. In fact, grace given can be misused and even rejected by the wanton use of our freewill.
It is a great privilege God gives us by making us his own people. This notwithstanding, we are answerable to this privilege because we have free will, and our freedom will judge us. God has confidence in the human person so much that, he patiently waits for our repentance. He trusts us to the extent that he entrusts his entire vineyard into our hands to cultivate. God expects us to give accounts of our stewardship at the end of the day (judgment). The reality of heaven and hell is vividly implied by Jesus when he says: “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it” (Mt. 21:43). As St. Peter puts it: “God’s patience is our opportunity to repent” (I Pet. 3:9), we must make every effort to cooperate with God so that our salvation would not be jeopardised. We need to realise the immutable and undeniable fact that we cannot avoid or do without God. That is why Jesus stated unequivocally: “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Mt. 21:42).
So, what are we to do? There is need for repentance. A genuine change of heart and mind will elicit the mercy of God. We are encouraged by St. Paul in the second reading to cultivate a state of mind and a corresponding action whose object of thought is “whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and worthy of praise” (Phil 4:8). These are the good fruits, the positive things expected from us as the vine of God. We need to choose a noble way of living, not a life of religious pretence, indifference and hypocrisy What we have learnt, received, heard and seen must be put into practice. By so doing, we become real and authentic Christians.
Furthermore, Paul admonishes us to be people of prayer, not of anxiety or worry. We are to resort to various forms of prayer such as supplication, thanksgiving and requests. By praying, the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard our minds and hearts, and the God of peace will also be with us (cf. Phil. 4:6-7). The decision is ours: to follow God or do our own will to our detriment. God gives us grace. By our actions, we can misuse or reject it. We can also keep, nurture and sustain the grace of God by being good human beings. A wise man was asked: “Sir, in which field can I make a great career?” He responded with a smile, “Be a good human being. There is a lot of opportunity in this area and very little competition.” If we seek it, grace can perfect our nature. Today, let us make time to reflect on grace and our response to it.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) AD once said: “God who created us without our permission cannot save us without our cooperation.” May God lighten our hearts, heal our obstinacy and help us to rise up again on the wings of prayer. Let us pray with the Psalmist: “O Lord God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved” (Ps. 80:19). God is indeed gracious. He is grace itself. Let us make room for him in our hearts by cooperating with his grace.
Today, as we enjoy our Sabbath rest basking in its blessedness, and look forward to a blessed week, let us ponder on the theme: #Grace-Given-Grace-Misused-Grace-Rejected#
ByRev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp
