In the readings today (the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time), we hear stories about vineyards and harvests. Jesus tells us a parable about a landowner who planted a vineyard, and He says that if we do not live as Scripture instructs—if we do not follow through with our calling as disciples—that “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” Our lives, our actions and our choices must produce good spiritual fruit in this world. This is our call, our mission, our duty, and our joy.
The First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah talks about doing all the hard work of preparing the ground and vines for good produce and then being disappointed with the result. The vineyard did not produce good fruit—in spite of all that seemed to have been done in order to create wonderful grapes and a bountiful harvest. So where did it go wrong? I think that St. Paul today gives us the answer of how reap the harvest of good fruit of the spirit.
St. Paul tells us “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious…think about these things.” This is a very explicit “yardstick” for measuring all we do and say. What a wonderful world it would be if all of us measured our actions by this “yardstick” and then behaved accordingly! I also believe, though, that it does also matter what it is that motivates us in our actions. To do everything in a seemingly right way—like the vineyard steward—and not have a good result, should give us pause and “food for thought” and for reconciliation. Because it does matter what is in our hearts and minds as motive for our actions. Don’t get me wrong, it is a bit better, I think, to do good acts with poor motivation, than to do nothing at all.
What’s the answer, then, if we are driven to good acts for “wrong” reasons? What hope is there? Again, look to St. Paul, who tells us to not be anxious, but to live by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving. That is the place to begin. We are all on a journey to be our best and better selves; and everything takes practice. Think about these things: are our choices true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious? Am I motivated in all I do and say by these good things? Pray about it—and look for God’s guidance in order to produce good fruit in yourself, and for others.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
The First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah talks about doing all the hard work of preparing the ground and vines for good produce and then being disappointed with the result. The vineyard did not produce good fruit—in spite of all that seemed to have been done in order to create wonderful grapes and a bountiful harvest. So where did it go wrong? I think that St. Paul today gives us the answer of how reap the harvest of good fruit of the spirit.
St. Paul tells us “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious…think about these things.” This is a very explicit “yardstick” for measuring all we do and say. What a wonderful world it would be if all of us measured our actions by this “yardstick” and then behaved accordingly! I also believe, though, that it does also matter what it is that motivates us in our actions. To do everything in a seemingly right way—like the vineyard steward—and not have a good result, should give us pause and “food for thought” and for reconciliation. Because it does matter what is in our hearts and minds as motive for our actions. Don’t get me wrong, it is a bit better, I think, to do good acts with poor motivation, than to do nothing at all.
What’s the answer, then, if we are driven to good acts for “wrong” reasons? What hope is there? Again, look to St. Paul, who tells us to not be anxious, but to live by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving. That is the place to begin. We are all on a journey to be our best and better selves; and everything takes practice. Think about these things: are our choices true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious? Am I motivated in all I do and say by these good things? Pray about it—and look for God’s guidance in order to produce good fruit in yourself, and for others.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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