Word to the Wise
Friday, March 2, 2018 - 2nd Week of Lent - Fri
[Gen 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a and Matt 21:33-43, 45-46]FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018, FRIDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT [Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a and Matthew 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] In the past, I have given a retreat for priests entitled, "The Vineyard and the Cornerstone or "'Where are my grapes?'" There is little doubt that Jesus aimed this parable at the religious leadership in the Jewish community, especially in Jerusalem. I say leadership because one did not have to be a priest or elder to be a Pharisee. Pharisees were prominent because, at their best, they represented an effort to live the Jewish way of the covenant in a complete way. At their worst, they were a burden to people and could manipulate the law to their own advantage. The chief priests were in charge of the temple and made their living from it, which lent itself to abuses as well. Jesus combines Old Testament history and his own mission of salvation in this parable. The great prophets suffered rejection and persecution from the religious/political leadership of their time. Finally the "owner" of the vineyard sends his Son who is also persecuted and killed. There will be an ultimate judgment for them, but, in the meantime, they will lose the vineyard that they exploited. Religious leadership is a role that involves power and trust. The images of vineyard attendant and shepherd show up in biblical consideration of this role. The Lord expects the vineyard and the flock to be cared for so that there will be "fruit" (grapes and wool). There are many very fine clergy, religious and laity in positions of leadership in our Catholic community. We can start with Pope Francis, for example. But in the USA, many people have left the church because they do not sense that the leadership is caring enough about their many problems of living in this secular society. Some leave because they find the preaching poor. The vineyard is losing vines. The flock is losing sheep. In our time, one hopes for leaders who can inspire with both wisdom and vision based on unshakable faith. Without this, the church falls into ruin, which history constantly teaches. The Holy Spirit will have to work overtime in our country! AMEN
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