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First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Responsorial: Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20
Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100420.cfm
https://deaconrudysnotes.org/
What a tumultuous time we are living in! But my brothers and sisters, I have good news! In today’s second reading, Paul tells us, “…don’t be anxious about anything…” (Philippians 4:6). Easy for him to say, right? It seems like these times are bursting with anxiety-inducing sentiments. How many of us have heard or given out advice that you should stop watching the news right now – or at least significantly reduce your news intake? These are rocky times, to be sure.
You know, today’s second reading is part of a letter Paul sent to the community. There were two women in Philippi who were very important to the community. They were leaders of some kind – people who undoubtedly were very helpful to Paul in his ministry. Yet they had a falling out – apparently a very big falling out. So great was their influence that their argument was tearing the community apart! People were taking sides. How can the faith grow – how can anything grow in such a toxic environment!
This entire story reminds us that we can all have differences of opinions in our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and even in our towns and our nation. Exploring our differences can be helpful. The process of trying to find middle ground can yield all sorts of fruit, some sweet and some a little bitter, but that’s the nature of compromise. But sometimes our disagreements can get out of hand. If we are not careful, our disagreements can tear our families and communities apart.
Isn’t that part of the Gospel message today? Those pesky tenants thought the rules didn’t apply to them. They thought they could change the rules to suit their needs even if violence was required to advance their cause. What does Jesus say? Way wrong answer! Yet, how many people allow things to get out of hand?
A friend of mine is an episcopal priest from the east coast, and he was telling me that he’s having a hard time working with a couple. They’ve been married for over 27 years, but they are heading for divorce. They’ve made up their minds and are only seeing him to check off a box on the way to the courthouse. Why are they divorcing? Because one is voting for Biden and the other for Trump.
Can you imagine? When I was a child, the word “politician” meant dishonesty. Oh, they worked hard, and I’m not saying they are all crooks, but despite what they said during the election, they wouldn’t always do what they promised. I can’t imagine letting someone I know isn’t completely truthful between my wife and me.
How is it that we are living in a time with so much anger? I think it’s because we’ve allowed ourselves to be filled with anxiety. We’re all drinking from fire hydrants like unfiltered social media and 24/7 news programs that are anything but fair and balanced. I think we’ve let those fire hydrants push Jesus to the edge of our lives – or washed him out completely!
I’ve recently discovered a French theologian whose work I’m just starting to dig into, but one of his ideas surprised me. He says that the present is a pivot point between the past and the future. Isn’t that an interesting idea? And it ties so well not only with Paul, but all the self-help ideas I’ve heard.
Why stress over the past? It’s already happened. You can’t undo it.
Why stress over the future? Time will unfold in ways we can’t control.
Instead, focus on the present.
What does that mean? As a student of history, I would suggest that rather than stressing over the past, we try to learn from it. I don’t always follow my advice, but doesn’t that make sense? It’s not let go and move on. It’s let go and learn. What about tomorrow? Well, tomorrow – more specifically, my dreams can’t happen unless I take steps today. So, I act today, informed by the past, with an eye toward the future. I must be present right here and right now. These simple actions help us let go of anxiety. But we can do better than that!
St. Paul tells us that instead of filling ourselves with anxiety – I would say sources of anxiety like too much social media or too much news – we should fill ourselves with praise and gratitude for what we have. We should try to see in these things what God has done for us in Christ.
Homework! Nourished by the Eucharist let’s put what we’ve learned in the readings to work!
1. First, what things cause you anxiety? Are you spending too much time on social media or are you glued to the news?
2. Second, how can you help people let go of their anxiety and experience the peace of Jesus Christ?
Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.
Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The Church as God’s vineyard, 755
2. Gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, 1830-32
3. Prophets are the servants, Christ is the Son, 443
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100420.cfm
Lectionary: 139
Reading 1
Isaiah 5:1-7
Let me now sing of my friend,
my friend’s song concerning his vineyard.
My friend had a vineyard
on a fertile hillside;
he spaded it, cleared it of stones,
and planted the choicest vines;
within it he built a watchtower,
and hewed out a wine press.
Then he looked for the crop of grapes,
but what it yielded was wild grapes.
Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah,
judge between me and my vineyard:
What more was there to do for my vineyard
that I had not done?
Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes,
did it bring forth wild grapes?
Now, I will let you know
what I mean to do with my vineyard:
take away its hedge, give it to grazing,
break through its wall, let it be trampled!
Yes, I will make it a ruin:
it shall not be pruned or hoed,
but overgrown with thorns and briers;
I will command the clouds
not to send rain upon it.
The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,
and the people of Judah are his cherished plant;
he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed!
for justice, but hark, the outcry!
Responsorial
Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20
R. (Is 5:7a) The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Reading 2
Philippians 4:6-9
Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
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.
Alleluia
John 15:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord,
to go and bear fruit that will remain.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking,
‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him,
“He will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times.”
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you,
the kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
