The Vineyard of the Lord!

The gospel acclamation states, "I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will remain." Amazing how the images of farming, tending to the resources of the earth can apply to our lives, but they do. As a farmer tils the soil, plants the seeds, does what can be done to nurture those seeds, and then collect the harvest when it is ready, so God does with us. God tils the soil of our lives and hearts. He plants the seed of His word into our lives and hearts and He gives us the grace and strength that we need to allow those seeds to grow. Then when the seeds have grown to their full stature they produce much fruit and the harvest is ready. When it comes to the seed of God's word we have to do our part as well. We have to nuture those seeds along through prayer, the Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, spiritual reading, spiritual direction, and faithful service. We need to put our faith into action, be of service to our brothers and sisters, and proclaim the Good News, not just with words, but with our very lives. The vineyard is the image in our readings for this weekend, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80, and
Matthew 21:33-43. We truly live in the vineyard of the Lord and this is our time to build up the Kingdom of God in our midst and to bear much fruit. As Saint Paul tells the Philippians (4:6-9), "Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you." Have a blessed weekend!!!