Friday March 1st: Responsible stewardship rewarded

‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

Matthew 21: 33 – 43, 45 – 46

Today’s parable is about a landowner who planted a vineyard, provided everything it needed, leased it to tenants and went abroad. When harvest time came, the landowner sent servants to collect his produce. But the tenants maltreated the servants and killed some. They even killed the landowner’s son and took over the vineyard.

The parable represents God (the landowner), who created the world (the vineyard) and provided everything it needed. God then left the world to disciples (tenants) to care for it. He expected the tenants to be fruitful and responsible (justice and peace). But linstead, they became greedy and rebelled against the landowner (sin).

Rebellion is in each one of us. Our rebellion is our sin against God and others. We do not always produce the fruits God expects of us. We have failed many times over.

Let us use this time of Lent to address any rebellion we may notice in our lives. Let this be a time of deep change. We are happier when we bear the fruits of the Spirit.