What fruit do we produce? By Beth DeCristofaro
Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long tunic. When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him. … Judah said to his brothers: “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood? Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. (Genesis 37:3-4, 26-27)
(The owner of the vineyard) 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. (Matthew 21:41-43)
Piety
Help me to carry out, however imperfectly, your holy commands O God. Plant, tend and till with me, Brother Jesus, as I live my life honoring God and my neighbor. Please fill me with gratitude and courage, Holy Spirit, laboring in your vineyard.
Study
This stark and disturbing parable is considered an allegory of Israel’s history, perhaps enlarged from a more basic story Jesus told. It clearly refers to the relationship between God and the people which is a story of mercy given, infidelity given back with judgement, forgiveness and more mercy bestowed. It also alludes to the individual heart’s response to God’s gifts – life in a verdant vineyard. Joseph’s brothers responded with hate to the love which their father gave to Joseph. Favoritism is always hard to bear but loving one son more does not necessarily mean there is no love left for another.
Recently I was dismayed by a post in a Facebook group dedicated to people with a severe illness. Most often we share experiences, tips and comfort with each other. An administrator’s post, however, denounced the bullying words posted by someone in response to a worried mother who is caring for an infant with a deadly disease. The administrator not only called out those hurtful words but reported that she, too, had received wounding messages because did not immediately take down the first message. She admitted that she had missed it and was extremely sorry but not omnipotent. This parable came to mind in the callous behavior of some who are in a life-giving, internet “vineyard.” While we can certainly say “I would never kill a person,” can we also say, “I will not pummel someone with wounding words?
The tenants in the vineyard acted from greed and, perhaps, a desire to steal power were they to be in charge. The Facebook group’s poster is already compromised through illness, perhaps out of work due to disability, and maybe even suffering greatly. These factors can cause frustration, fear, suck-it-up syndrome or other undermining feelings, but speaking from emotions of lack is deadening. The psalm today rings out with gratitude and humble awareness of God’s great power, beneficence. Remember the marvels the Lord has done even if our life in the vineyard is less than perfect.
Action
Isaiah said …judge between me and my vineyard: What more could be done for my vineyard that I did not do? Why, when I waited for the crop of grapes, did it yield rotten grapes? (Isaiah 5:3-4) This parable reminds us that the owner of the vineyard is ultimately in control. We are not. We are beholden. We are, indeed, gifted and cared for in the verdancy of the vineyard. But that verdancy is purely endowed, not earned, not stolen. Even if we are ill, unemployed, out of office, or derided by people, life and relationship with God are ours to throw away. Even amid shriveled vines, sour grapes and unfit weather, our God is with us. How are we producing fruit? Can we be grateful for our place in the vineyard even if our produce is fruitful but less than perfect? Can we forgive others whose produce is also deficient?
Illustration: https://www.livinglutheran.org/2019/08/the-story-of-gods-vineyard/
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