Jesus is the sign of contradiction.  He brings to light what we harbor in our hearts.  He cannot but dare us to be truthful.

Jesus does not fail to dare the wise and the learned to choose the good that they learn and receive.  That is to say, he asks them to act as they know better.  And the wise and the learned are the chief priests and elders of the people, the scribes and the Pharisees.  He puts them on the spot and questions them.

He questions them and says:  “Truly I tell you publicans and harlots are entering the kingdom of God before you.”  For they admit that the son who repents and does what the father wants is the one who says “no.”  But they see nothing for which they should repent.

Once again, he questions and warns them:  “I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”  For they know what the owner of the vineyard will do to the wicked and murdering tenants.  Yet they cannot at all see that they share the guilt of those who murder God’s prophets and messengers.

Yes, the wise and the learned show that they are as blind as king David.  The latter hears from the prophet Nathan of a rich man who takes a poor man’s ewe lamb.  And the king gets very angry with the rich man.  But then Nathan tells David:  “You are the man.”  So, the prophet opens the eyes of the king.  And for Jesus to dare in the same way the wise and the learned is for him to open their eyes, too.

Jesus does dare us not to turn into blind folks.

We believe, of course, that we are the new tenants of God’s vineyard, his new people.  Yet for him to choose us means for us to make sure the vineyard yields fruit.  For us to give to God his share of the fruit.  In other words, God’s election spells obligation for us (see Amos 3, 2).

So then, as God’s vineyard, that is to say, as his people, we have to ask ourselves:  Do we yield the fruit that God looks for in his people?  Are we fair to those who are on the outskirts?  Are we one with those who suffer and show them mercy?  Do we forgive?

Also, do we know how to answer the dare that we do serious soul-searching?  Besides, do we not yield to those who tempt us to make a pact with those with power, wealth, prestige?

And, no doubt, we have reason to heed St. Vincent’s warning:  “We must fear … that God may take this harvest from us; for he gives his graces to others if we fail to use them as we ought” (Abelly II:235).  Anf if we do not do “the things God shows us that he wants us to do” (see SV.EN XII: 82).

Lord Jesus, you dare us to be true to your call.  Pour out your Spirit on us, so that our lives may bear much fruit.  Feed us with your body and blood; do remain in us and make us remain in you.  For apart from you we can bear no fruit.

8 October 2023
27th Sunday in O.T. (A)
Is 5, 1-7; Phil 4, 6-9; Mt 21, 33-43