Here's how the parable of the tenants applies to daily life
by Sister Agnes Fischer
The Lord expects good grapes from the vineyard:
- Christian spouses who have each others’ backs.
- Fathers and mothers who seek to put their children in contact with Christ.
- Homes where Jesus not only hangs on the wall but whose word is the norm for those living there.
- Public servants who treat those they serve as treating Christ (especially those “waiting in line”).
- Employees who give their co-workers a hand-up so the company moves forward toward its goals together.
- Christian professionals who reach out with their services to those who need them most.
This vineyard will produce good fruits.
"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." [Is. 5: 1-2]
The first reading from Isaiah reminds me of our good friends who, years ago, had saved enough money to buy a little piece of land which was, then, in the country. They built their dream home on it, and being master gardeners, forged a large, well-tended, beautiful garden that produced abundantly.
After being well-established there, Jerry's job took him to Michigan, and they had to part with their beautiful home and garden.
In the meantime, their large strawberry bed was producing outstanding, delicious, sweet and juicy strawberries. They needed pickers! They called upon us, and asked us to call others to pick the wonderful berries so they would not go to waste.
While I was picking in their strawberry bed, JESUS was 'showing me' and 'teaching me' that this is what it's like in God's Beautiful Garden.
People, whether young or old, are "ripening on the vine" and in need of harvesters. There are too many who do not realize or understand how "beautiful" and "wonderful" and "valuable" they are.
This is how God needs our help -- that we will "see" and "value" each person as 'beautiful' and 'holy,' and of highest importance.
Like Sr. Agnes is saying, God calls each one of us to tend the Garden and to harvest for the 'kin-dom' an abundance of nutrient-rich food, that feeds others with healing, wholeness, and wellness-of-being! In other words, with lots of TLC (Tender, Loving Care), and the A, B, C's of JESUS' Ministry -- Acceptance, Belonging, Care.