Fans of Jesus

依 5:1-7; 詠 79(80):9, 12-16, 19-20; 斐 4:6-9; 瑪 21:33-43

葡萄園的圖像貫穿了今天的讀經。在第一篇讀經中，依撒意亞先知講述了一個被精心栽種，細心照料的葡萄園。園主做了他所能做的一切，可是到了收成的時候，出產的葡萄卻並不是園主所期待的。這有力地勾勒出了一幅天主與祂子民的關係的圖像。天主賜給了我們這麼多，祂也期待我們以愛、正義和忠信來回應祂。

福音中，耶穌講了另一個關於葡萄園的故事。這一次，祂說到了一些園戶，他們受託管理葡萄園，卻漸漸地開始把它當成自己的產業。他們拒絕聆聽園主所派來的僕人，最後甚至拒絕了園主的兒子。耶穌提醒我們，這個葡萄園並不屬於我們；我們只是受託去照料它。正如我們的生命、我們的恩賜、我們的家庭、我們的人際關係，以及我們的信仰，都是來自天主的禮物。我們蒙召，就是要忠信地去照顧這一切。



或許這正是今天的這些讀經，要輕輕地向我們每一個人提出的問題：在我的生命中，正在結出怎樣的果實？或許不必期待完美的果實，因爲沒有人是完美的；但重點是，別人能否從我們的生活中，得以看見一些天主的美善：我們的善意、耐心、寬恕、誠實和慷慨？聖保祿給了我們一個很實際的方向。他勸勉我們，要讓自己的心思充滿真實、高尚、正義、純潔，以及一切可愛和可敬的事物。而當我們這樣生活和祈禱，允許這一切在我們心中成長時，這一切也終將更新和塑造我們的生命。



其實，今天的讀經也蘊含著一份特別的安慰：葡萄園的主人並沒有輕易地放棄。他一次又一次派遣僕人。天主也是如此，祂不斷地召叫、邀請我們，也一次次地給我們重新開始的機會。當我們發現自己生命中的一些「酸葡萄」時，我們不必停留在失望之中。我們可以轉向天主，求祂幫助我們，並藉著祂的恩寵，使能在心中培育出新的生命。正如聖保祿提醒我們，當我們把一切交託給天主，祂的平安必能在基督耶穌內，固守我們的心思和念慮。



親愛的朋友們，我們都受託去守望、照料天主的葡萄園。儘管我們從天主那裡領受了許多，而祂要求於我們的，只是藉著所領受的，去結出好的果實來。在我們繼續今天的感恩祭時，讓我們祈求天主，好使我們成為忠信的園戶：懂得感恩天主的愛，留心聆聽祂的聖言，也願意讓這份愛在我們的生活中顯露出來。願上主幫助我們結出果實，就是能使我們身邊的人都能從我們身上感受到良善、平安和愛的美果。阿們。

                               ***

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 79(80):9, 12-16, 19-20; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

The image of the vineyard runs through all of our readings today. In the first reading, Isaiah speaks of a vineyard that has been carefully planted and lovingly tended. The owner has done everything possible for it, but when harvest time comes, the grapes are not what he hoped for. It is a powerful image of God’s relationship with his people. God has given so much, and he looks for a response of love, justice and faithfulness.

The Gospel gives us another story about a vineyard. This time, Jesus speaks about tenants who have been trusted with the vineyard, but gradually begin to act as though it belongs to them. They refuse to listen to the servants sent by the owner, and finally they reject his son. Jesus is reminding us that the vineyard is not ours to possess. We are entrusted with it. Our lives, our gifts, our relationships, our families and our faith are all gifts from God, and we are called to care for them faithfully.

And perhaps that is the question these readings quietly put before each of us today: What kind of fruit is growing in my life? Not perfect fruit, because none of us is perfect, but can people see something of God’s goodness in the way we live? Can they see kindness, patience, forgiveness, honesty and generosity? St Paul gives us a very practical way forward. He encourages us to fill our minds and hearts with what is true, noble, good, pure and worthy of praise. What we allow to grow within us will eventually shape the way we live.

There is also something very comforting in these readings. God does not give up easily. The owner of the vineyard keeps sending his servants. God keeps calling, inviting and giving us opportunities to begin again. When we recognise that some of the fruit in our lives has become sour, we do not have to remain discouraged. We can turn back to the Lord, ask for his help, and allow his grace to make something new grow within us. And as Paul reminds us, when we bring everything to God in prayer, his peace can guard our hearts and our thoughts.

Dear friends, we are the tenants of God’s vineyard. We have been given much, and God simply asks us to bear good fruit with what we have received. As we continue our celebration today, let us ask for the grace to be faithful tenants: grateful for God’s love, attentive to his word, and ready to let that love become visible in the way we live. May the Lord help us to bear fruit that brings goodness, peace and love to those around us. Amen.