27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, A
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LOVE WILL FIND A WAY
The gospel today is painted with gloom. It is a story of betrayal, a portrait of violence, an expression of hatred, at a plot for greed. The good landowner suddenly realizes how wicked his tenants are. They do not want to share the harvest with him; they refuse to listen to his messengers; they hate his only Son; and they have no respect for his kindness and generosity.
What landowner would not feel react with self-defense? What father would not respond with revenge for the death of his son? What person would not vow to stop trust others again?
The leaders of Israel, the tenants, behaved in a way that directly countered the will of God, the owner of the vineyard. In order to frustrate the plans of God for the kingdom, they even had to eliminate the Son, sending a harsh message of grief to the Father’s heart.
But such is the vastness of God’s vision, the greatness of his Spirit, the ocean of his mercy, that God did not relent in his plan of salvation. He did not reteat unto himself and stopped caring for his people. Yes, he was rejected, but he would find others who would open their hearts to his call.
The Father was hurt, was angry, and was disappointed. But he was not defeated. His love found its way past the people who rejected him. Jesus, who was rejected by the Jews, would be received by the Gentiles. Jesus’ death in the hands of his enemies would bear much fruit in the hands of his disciples.
In our weakness, we are not faithful to God at all times and in all circumstances of our lives. Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, we refuse the Lord and betray him many times through stubbornness and rebellion. But Jesus will continue to triumph in the hearts of those who discover in him the fountain of life and love. And we sinners who later discover our fault and return to the Lord will receive the peace and encouragement we need to enter new chapters of our life with God.