Is 5:1-7; Phil 4:6-9; Mt 21:33-43 (27 / A)
“Indiscreet speech may lead men into error and an imprudent silence
may leave in error.” Gregory
Today Jesus gives us the
parable of the vineyard. He is drawing it from the beautiful image of the
vineyard in the book of Isaiah: “My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile
hill… he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes” (Is 5:1–7).
Isaiah explains the vineyard of the LORD as the house of Israel. God planted,
protected, and loved his people, but they responded with rejection. Here we
encounter the mystery of rejection. Why does humanity reject the One who gives
love, truth, responsibility, and even the gift of creation itself? Sin begins
when the creature forgets the Creator.
The book of Genesis teaches
that God placed the human being in the garden “to till it and keep it” (Gen
2:15). The Hebrew word “ʿābad” means “to cultivate” or “serve”; and “šāmar” means “to guard”, “protect”, or
“keep”, showing that dominion is not permission for exploitation. We are
stewards, not absolute owners. This is beautifully expressed in the Canticle
of the Creatures by St Francis of Assisi. He sings: “Laudato mi Signore” (“Praised
be You, my Lord, through all Your creatures”). He calls the sun “Brother,” the
moon “Sister,” the water “Sister,” and even fire “Brother.” For Francis,
creation was not merely material to be consumed. It is a gift through which the
Creator could be praised. This vision is the heart of Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis. He reminds us that every
creature has its own value before God and that human beings are called to
respect the integrity of creation. The Catechism likewise teaches that we owe
them kindness (CCC 2415–2418).
The book of Deuteronomy
says: “You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen… and withhold
your help” (22:4). Even the animals are included in the Sabbath rest: “that
your ox and your donkey may have rest” (Ex 23:12). Psalm 104 declares, “May the
LORD rejoice in his works” (Ps 104:31). And Wisdom reminds us: “You love all
things that exist” (Wis 11:24). “A righteous person cares for the life of their
animal” (Prov.12:10). Therefore, our treatment of animals and creation is not
separate from our relationship with God. Laudato Si’ reminds us that everything
is interconnected and that our relationship with God, our neighbor, and the
earth cannot be separated.
The tragedy of today’s
Gospel is that the tenants say, in effect, “This vineyard is ours.” That is the
temptation of humanity: This world belongs to me; these resources belong to me;
I can use them as I wish. But Psalm 24 tells us: “The earth is the LORD’s and
all that is in it.” That’s why the Gospel asks us today: Are we faithful
tenants or rejecting tenants? Are we receiving God’s gifts with gratitude, or
consuming them without responsibility? Do we see animals merely as objects, or
as fellow creatures of the Creator? Do we cultivate and protect creation, or
exploit and destroy it? The vineyard is God’s. The earth is God’s. Life is God’s
gift. We are entrusted with them for a time. May our response never be
rejection but gratitude with our love for his creatures and care for his
creation.
“Let the pastor be discreetly silent, and to the point when he speaks…”
St Gregory the Great
