Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Recently we have started to put out seed for the birds. We have enjoyed watching the variety of birds at the feeder; however we have been challenged by a nocturnal “critter” that has relentlessly come every night to feed. We tried making the hanging hook more difficult to undue, as well as even changing the kind of feeder that could be refilled without removal. And yet every morning we awakened to an almost empty feeder. We finally placed a tall metal rod with a hook only to find that the animal had jumped up pulled the feeder down, broke the stabilizing pole, and bent the rod. This is persistence!!! This real life story came to mind when I read today’s gospel about God’s persistent love for us. God cares for us so much that He pursues us even to the point of sending His Son. The question for us is whether we welcome His offering of love and respond in turn with love and faith, or do we turn away and refuse to recognize His care and protection?
In the gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable about the owner of a vineyard and his care for the vineyard. In this story Jesus is trying to relate how God has been actively involved in caring for His people. There are two things that strike me about this story. First of all, when the owner builds the vineyard, he takes great care in providing protection for his fields. He builds a hedge around the area and also places a tower to help protect his vines. Similar to the owner, God takes great care in building a place where His vines (all of His creation- including us) can flourish. Even more impressive in the parable is the owner’s persistence at obtaining some of the produce from his fields. He sends many servants (who are beaten, killed or treated shamefully). He finally sends his “beloved son” who is also seized and killed. In the same way as the owner, God has sent many emissaries of His love and grace. His most precious gift, Jesus is the “cornerstone” of the kingdom of God upon which the Father wants to draw all creation back to Him. The Father relentlessly pursues us and invites us into relationship with Him. He desires “the produce of the vineyard” which is our love and belief in Him through His Son Jesus. But- He invites and does not demand our love. Just like the tenants of the vineyards or the builders who reject the cornerstone, each individual is given the opportunity to say yes or no to the invitation of God. Jesus is the visible sign of God’s persistent love made flesh, and “it is by the Lord that this has been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.” (Mk 12: 11) This persistent love should be a cause for great hope and joy, since God truly desires to be with us- if we will only say “yes.”
So if we are the current “tenants” of the vineyard, how are we doing? Do we recognize and appreciate the many ways that God provides His protection for us? Do we seek Him and place are worries into His Hands? God is sending us throughout every day many opportunities for Him to draw us closer- this could be through other people, nature, and the daily circumstances of our lives. Do we hear God speak to us in our daily lives, and if we do hear Him, do we listen and follow His lead, or do we ignore Him and choose to do things our way?
Jesus is the cornerstone for building this relationship with God. The better we know and draw close to Jesus, the more we will be able to recognize God’s love in the world around us. Through prayer, scripture, sacrament, and daily living God makes His persistent love known to us, but we have to take the time and choose to accept this invitation. Jesus is that constant presence in our lives which time and time again reaches out to us to bring us back to Him. Even when we don’t listen, or listen and disobey, Jesus reminds us that God’s mercy is readily available because God’s love is so persistent.
Similar to the nocturnal animal that goes to great lengths to obtain the desired goal (food), we too must pursue a much greater and important purpose- being with God. May our recognition of God’s persistent love for us instill in us a deep desire to seek Him and place our lives in His loving protection. May we give God the “produce” He so desires- our lives lived in love for Him and for others. May this “produce” we offer give God glory and praise!
"Heavenly Father, your love for us has been persistent since the beginning of time. You sent your Son, Jesus to show us the fullness of that love. May Your Spirit provide us the grace we need to recognize your call to love, and may we respond in joy and gratitude as we follow Jesus with lives filled with love. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen."
Marylynn Herchline