SEND US TO WORK IN YOUR VINEYARD!

This is the last in the series of our "Together We Are Co-Workers in the Vineyard" reflections.  In these reflections, we have focused on the vineyard that resides deep within us—the vineyard that is our heart and our soul.  We have prepared the soil; we have planted the seeds; and we have harvested the grapes.  Some of our seeds flourished into beautiful vines, others never sprouted, still others sprouted and then died—a microcosm of life, the life we lead in serving Jesus the Christ. Today, we focus on a different vineyard—the larger vineyard—the vineyard that is our parish community, our family, our jobs, our world.  Pope John Paul tells us that the “vineyard is the whole world, which is to be transformed according to the plan of God.”  If we have done the hard work to prepare our inner vineyards, we should be ready to take on this “outer” vineyard.  “This is the field in which the faithful are called to fulfill their mission.”

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard—has significant implications for how we accomplish His mission.  In the parable, the landowner invites each one of us  “You too go into my vineyard.”  Isn’t that how Jesus is calling each one of us?  He invites us into His vineyard, to do the work He has set before us.  Megan McKenna, in her book, Parables, reminds us what important work this is.   “God needs the grapes picked for the wine of the kingdom.  God needs those who can help [us] to make the wine of life a reality for others.”

When God call us, his workers, for His vineyard, he bestows a wonderful grace on us.  The laborers are called into the vineyard at different hours which, some believe represent the different stages of life.  The laborers called into the vineyard in the early morning  hours are led to the Lord’s work during childhood; those called later in the day represent later stages of life (adolescence, young adulthood, middle aged, old age).  What is important, however, is that it does not matter when we are called.   To answer that call, to remain available for what He wishes for us—no matter when we are called—is our joy and our reward.

St. Gregory the Great, challenges us “Each one should examine themselves to see how energetically they are working in the vineyard of the divine Sower.  Perhaps we have not dedicated everything we have to the service of the Lord.  The people who really work for him...are those who are anxious to win souls and bring others to the vineyard.”  (St. Gregory, Homilies on the Gospels).

And that is our challenge as we go forth: to lead a life worthy of the gospel in the service of God.  Everyone who comes into contact with us should be able to say that they are encouraged, by our example—by the work we have done—to a closer relationship with the Beloved One, the divine Sower.