Word to the Wise
Friday, March 17, 2017 - 2nd Week of Lent - Fri
[Gen 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a and Matt 21:33-43, 45-46]"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." When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. [Matthew]
The chief priests and Pharisees have a lot of company. Anyone who exercises a position of power and leadership in the People of God should pay heed. The owner of the vineyard expects produce. "Where are my grapes?"
The notion of transparent accountability has not come easily to our church. This is a built-in hazard when the dominant vision of an organization is shaped like a pyramid. The newer vision of Vatican II is still having a hard time getting through to some leadership. It is not a matter of democracy or any other political model. It is a matter of fruitfulness. At one time, the pyramid appeared to be very fruitful. Now, with the passage of time, a newer model is taking hold. Decisions made for the convenience of power without accountability are not effective any longer. To whom is the Lord entrusting the kingdom?
Through all of this, the Lord is saying, "Where are my grapes?" Every parish and every baptized member could meditate "fruitfully" on that question. AMEN