Jesus shares with the scribes and the Pharisees the story of the tenant who hands his vineyard over to workers and goes off, but they do not treat it well. As a matter of fact, when he sends servants to the vineyard, we're told that they killed them. And they certainly killed his the heir who was the son. But the vineyard is more than just a place where grapes are grown in the gospel. The vineyard really is the kingdom of God. And the point that Jesus is making is that in the kingdom of God, various things happen. We are members of the kingdom of God. We are the vine clinging to Jesus. We are the branches clinging to Jesus who is the vine. And we have to ask ourselves what type of grape am I?
What type of grape am I producing in my life? Is it good grape that will make good wine? Or is it sour grapes? Is it grapes that has brambles in it that is good for nothing? or is it grapes that give life? And the reflection of our own lives and our relationship with God has to be answered.
What type of person am I? And I think St. Paul sums it up beautifully for us in the second reading today to the Philippians. I just like to share some of what he said because he is not only speaking to the people of Philippi, he's speaking to you. And this is what St. Paul says to us. Finally, brothers and sisters, you must set your hearts on your mind on Jesus Christ and what is true and what is honourable.
We have to ask ourselves, am I setting my heart on Jesus? Am I setting my life on doing what is right and what is honourable? Do I get into types of life and living that is not of God? How do I treat my neighbour? How do I look after those who are weak and oppressed?
Do I align myself to those who are powerful because it helps my own life and my own living or do I align myself in the service of God and his people? St. Paul goes on, you must do whatever is just, whatever is pure.
Is that the way we are trying to live our lives in a just way, seeking justice, especially for the weak and the oppressed? Are we living our lives in a way that is pure and true and of God? St. Paul says, "Do whatever is lovely." Whatever is commendable. Are our lives lovely? Are our lives commendable?
Do we help others to see the face of Jesus? When we receive the word and the sacrament, does it touch our hearts and our lives so that we go out as people proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ? Or are we afraid? Do we hide our talents? Do we shy away from our faith? St. Paul says, "If there is excellence, if there's anything worthy of praise, listen to this again, if there is excellence, if there's anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
So as we live in the kingdom of God, called to righteousness, called to holiness, called to live a life of faith and joy, to live a life that is lovely, to live a life that is commendable. These are the things that we need to think on and these are the things that must be real in our everyday life.
How do we care for the weak and the oppressed? How do we care for the children who are starving? How do we care for the children who are hungry?
How do we care for the children who have no water? And the things that we take for granted are things that means a great deal to many. As a member of the kingdom of God, as a member of the vineyard is the grape of our lives, giving life to others.
So I asked to this week as we reflect on our relationship with God and our neighbour to ask am I trying to live my life are we trying to live our lives as good members of the kingdom of God and remembering the words of St. Paul, I hope he meant this beautifully when he said, "Do whatever is lovely."
