The landowner in Matthew’s Gospel took great care in tilling and fertilizing his vineyard and even planting a protective hedge around it. The tenants respected neither the landowner nor His Son. God has given us a beautiful planet as our vineyard. Like the tenants in today’s Gospel we have not exhibited wise stewardship. Laudato Si', the second encyclical of Pope Francis, urges us to "care for our common home". Our Holy Father warns against consumerism and irresponsible waste of natural resources, grieves over environmental degradation and global warming, and encourages all citizens of the world to take "swift and unified global action" to save our planet. On another level, we are the vineyard in today’s Gospel. God has given us all we need to be nourished and flourish. We are precious vines destined to bear fruit for God’s Kingdom. May we do so in abundance!
Blessings!
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN