The readings make reference to vineyards – an image that is often used in Scripture for the people of Israel. The labour demanded of those working in agriculture may have been known to our grandparents, but is very distant to most of us. The first reading emphasises how much work and care went into establishing a vineyard. Unless we too have experienced such intense and demanding labour, we will have a difficult time truly feeling the disappointment, and even rage, that the vineyard owner felt when all his labours, and even love, for his vineyard all came to nought.

Jesus picks up from Isaiah and approaches it from a different angle. Here again the owner of the vineyard works very hard to establish his vineyard, but then leases it to tenants. The tenants, however, revolt against the owner and attempt to claim the vineyard as their own. As one would expect, the parable ends with the original tenants being thrown out and other tenants replacing them.

We are invited today to reflect on what fruit we are producing in our lives. Have we contributed to creating a more just, more respectful, more compassionate society by our example and efforts? Have we only managed to provide for ourselves, or have our lives been of service to others in some way? The Lord will one day ask us for an accounting of our lives and what we have produced.