Know Yourself

Scripture/Bible:  "Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; 35 and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. 37 Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' 39 And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." 42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?  43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it." Matt 21:33-43

Reflection:  The parable reveals two categories of people in God’s vineyard; the tenant and the servants.  Not all are called to servant hood and the many likewise are called to be faithful tenants of God’s vineyard.  The tenants also include the ruling and noble class among the tenants, those in authority and those overseeing. 

This parable seems to be a clear message for the Israelites who have rejected God made present to them through his servants and now one last time through his own Son, Jesus Christ. It brings out the reality of the people of Israel and their constant rejection of God and the ultimate rejection of Jesus as Son.

Similarly, Christ Jesus who established the church has now let out his vineyard again to other tenants’ who hopefully have learnt a lesson from their predecessors.  Among the majority of Christian who are  tenants he still sends his servants and they still keep getting persecuted and rejected on account of their roles as servants of the Gospel; here I am not referring to self styled servants who claim to be one.

We don’t seem to value the services of the servants because they call us to accountability, even by their mere presence, to the God to whom all things belong.  We become insecure in their presence and their company makes us nervous lest we be stripped of our tenancy rights if we have been found lacking.  This is so because we have not realized that we are mere stewards or tenants and we own nothing. Everything belongs to God and we are mere caretakers.

Since we want to posses and have fame and recognition we do not want the servant to get near us lest we be stripped of everything.

For it is enough to be a good tenant, detached from the things of life, having them and yet not being possessed by them, rendering thanks to God with a grateful heart for the privilege to serve him in the things that we have been given.

Prayer: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Having and yet Not Having

Today’s Gospel:  Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16 And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." 17 And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." 20 "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." 21 And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?" Mark 8:14-21

Reflection: The gospel reading in vs. 14 reveals something very interesting; “They had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.” And then in vs.16; "We have no bread."  Did they really have no bread, how could such a lie be inserted in the scriptures? 

I was returning from a meeting back to my room and wanted some important papers which were in the cupboard and I knew I had the key of the cupboard with me. But when I reached my door, I realized that though I had the key of the cupboard, I did not have the key of the door and hence it was a situation of not having the key of the cupboard.

Life itself is a constant pilgrim walk where in we have things and yet we do not have. Some children may have parents and yet it is like having none. Some people may have food but yet it is like having none. Some people may have a big bank balance and yet it is like having and yet not having.

Someone may claim that by faith they are saved but it would be foolish to think that they are already saved by the saving action of Jesus. We have it with us and not yet, for it is as if we don’t have it unless we allow this same Jesus to accomplish this saving work of his completely in us by cooperating with the life giving spirit at work in those who believe.

The apostles had experienced the saving power too when they saw Jesus feed the multitude but they could not sustain this salvific action in their lives for long. Especially, when they came face to face with the reality of daily life and Jesus had to reprimand them.

Therefore St. Paul exhorts us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  Phil 2:12-13

Prayer:  Lord, may I not receive your give gift once and for all and thus reject it in my life.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us