Friends,
‘The Vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel.’
The image of the people of God as a vineyard is familiar in the Scriptures. We can rejoice in seeing the Church as the vineyard of the Lord, but we also need to respond to God’s gifts and use them well. In Isaiah’s ‘Song of the Vineyard,’ God has made the people of Israel his vineyard. He lovingly cares for it, but sadly, the people fail to respond.
The Psalm picks up the same theme. It is an appeal to God to turn again and visit the vine he has planted. The vineyard also appears in the Gospel, but the tenants are reproached here. Not only are they not profitable, but they murder the owner’s son.
St. Paul writes that the peace of God is ours if we can only trust in him. We are to pursue all that is good and pure and produce the fruit worthy of the Lord.
This week, may we be full of thanksgiving for all that we have received and always turn to the Lord in prayer.
Joy and peace.
