RBWords

     The story of the vineyard and the wicked tenants was directed to the religious authorities of the Jewish community, especially in Jerusalem, but it could have been directed at any religious authority!  These authorities are essentially conservative in nature and for good reason.  That which is sacred and holy does require some "conservation" and articulation.  Preservation (orthodoxy) and continuity (tradition) are functions of those chosen for leadership in a church.  However, the problem often develops where the leaders begin to assume ownership instead of stewardship.  They develop a personal "stake" in the power entrusted to them.  This is what happened to the scribes and Pharisees.  Jesus denounced their behavior even as he told the crowds to "do as they say, but do not follow their example."

     The vineyard in the parable was "leased" to the tenants.  They did not own it.  Furthermore they rejected the rights of the owner to a percentage of the crop and mistreated his agents to the point that they even killed his son.  The meaning was clear.  The prophets and other messengers had been rejected for centuries by the leadership and ultimately God's Son would be sent and killed as well.  Shortly after Jesus' death (ca. 30 A.D.) the Romans destroyed the temple and brought a violent end to the "system" that supported the scribes, Pharisees and Saducees.  In short, the Kingdom of God which they had "taken over" was taken from them.

     Anyone who has studied administration or management or political science knows about the dangers of an entrenched bureaucratic system.  Our own church, internationally, regionally and locally could not operate without proper structures for administration.  These should enable others to perform other vital tasks.  But no "system" can claim exclusive ownership of the goal or the Holy Spirit.  One may hope that there will always be "prophets" to challenge systems that block the Spirit just as one may hope these systems may be inspired by that same Spirit to realize they don't own the church.  They are tenants like the rest of us!  We'd better get those grapes ready and take care of those vines!  All of us are but workers in that vineyard.  We don't want to be accused of losing the Kingdom of God by claiming that we own it!   AMEN