Daily reflection _ the vineyard plot

THE VINEYARD PLOT
Can we have the courage to put God's Kingdom first in our lives, in our world and in our hearts?  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
What are they thinking? How did the tenant farmers ever get it into their minds that they had the right to keep the grapes and vineyards that they did not own? How could they justify killing the owner's servants and then his son? To understand this Sunday's parable, we need to consider the situation back in the time of Jesus. Very often farms and vineyards were owned by foreigners or by wealthy Israelites who lived a great distance away, usually in foreign countries. By taking over the farm or vineyard for themselves, the workers would actually be part of a rebellion against foreign powers or against Jewish people who had given themselves over to foreign powers. In addition to this, a Jewish law read that if a landowner died without an heir, his property would become the possession of whoever grabbed it first; in the case of the parable, the workers.
In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah tells the people of Israel that they are the Lord's vineyard. Like the vineyard in the parable, they, too, will be cut down because they have not been faithful to God and borne good fruit. Similarly, the vineyard we hear about in the Gospel is a source of turmoil because the workers have been keeping the fruit for themselves. The workers here are the elders and leaders of the Jewish people. They are more concerned with themselves than with the work of God's Kingdom.
Jesus comes at a very inopportune time for the Jewish leaders. Politically, these leaders are winning concessions from Rome that will keep them in power. Financially, the leaders of the people are afraid that they will be thrown into poverty if they lose their position. To the leaders of the Jewish people, this is not a good time for the Messiah to come. But the world was waiting. God was ready and the timing was perfect.
The Roman Empire, culture, economics and military conquest, made the timing perfect to spread the Gospel. In fact, it is always a great time to spread the Gospel! The call to follow Jesus comes when God chooses, not when we choose. This parable speaks to us today as well. It richly conveys some important truths about God and the way He deals with us. First, it tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with everything the tenants need. The owner goes away and leaves the vineyard in the hands of the tenants. God, likewise, trusts us enough to give us the freedom to live our lives as we choose. This parable also tells us of God's patience, peace and justice.
Vintage time is upon us. The owner of the vineyard is looking for the results of our labor. Are we to beat Him off and go on with our lives as though we own the vineyard? Or can we have the courage to put God's Kingdom first in our lives, in our world and in our hearts? We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (cf Phil: 4:13)!!!