27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Beloved in the Lord!
There are just two points I would like to share with you this morning.
From the first reading, I highlight the deep concern of the vineyard owner for the future growth, development, and produce of his grape vines. He did all he could to ensure that growth and future harvest.
But all the vines could produce was sour grapes.
Sour grapes!
We know what that expression means, and we sense the disappointment within the two words.
Here I simply wish to highlight the care, the generosity, and wild expectation the vineyard owner had for his vines.
Understand that as another way of speaking of our God the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier; and you get the point the Prophet Isaiah is making to his people and Jesus is making to the chief priests and elders of the people.
How do I hear those words myself?
What have I done with my gifts, my talents, my opportunities, my personal challenges for growth and real achievement, not just for myself but for those in my life who matter?
What kind of expectation would I sense my God would have of me for his goodness to me in every which way?
I believe it is worthwhile contemplating the question.
The second point is this; we have the down-to-earth words of Paul to his Philippian Christians emphasising the positive, the good, the beautiful, the true, all of which are within their ability and what could be hoped or expected from them.
“Fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honour” (Phil. 4: 6-9).
These are expectations that we are truly worthy of
- in our relationships with one another,
- in our contribution to life around us, and
- the wholesomeness of our own heart and soul!
Let’s go away from church today with a real sense of calling to contribute to life and to the community in a way that is grateful, creative, and redeeming.