Homily from the Parish Priest for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings for Year A: Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43
The new normal. Anger, frustration, loneliness, grief. Sentiments I’ve been hearing not uncommonly during this time when it seems there is no end to this crisis we’re all going through. I think it’s important to name these emotions for what they are, not to try and deny them. Many, though, have also said that this is a time for opportunity and fresh start. Perhaps a time for redemption and resurrection. Certainly, however we are taking to these times, whatever the blessings and the suffering involved, we are all in it together.
For me Pope Francis is right on target as he paints the picture of us all “in the same boat”, being challenged to realise our interdependency, our common fragility, our need to treat each other with more respect and to once again treasure the earth and her resources we have plundered. You may remember the dramatic prayer service in a deserted St Peter’s Square back in March when the Holy Father guided us in a meditation which saw ourselves along with the disciples in the boat amid the storm which was assailing them. For Pope Francis this is a wake-up call to rebuild our world and in that we are all called to be involved.
But that’s not an easy call. We need to reflect on what we have been going through. It is only becoming clear how traumatic 2020 has been. Many have died, often alone, and many are bereaved. So many have been isolated and lonely. The livestreaming of Masses here at Farm Street has been an unexpected and inexplicable success as thousands participate remotely every weekend but it is no substitute for being Church, the gathered assembly. Our mailbox has been huge as, while some will surely drift away, many are knocking on our virtual door as they are newly curious about faith, spirituality, a higher realm, God and Jesus Christ. The Church, however, has moved outside its four walls, not just online but to Trafalgar Square and Soho where our incredible volunteers have fed and loved the homeless who were left behind
One thing for me is certain in these strange times: to be a Christian is as tough as it ever has been. It requires commitment to spreading the Gospel, being a disciple. Commitment, a strong inner resolve, to stick the course in the vineyard of the Lord and so to bear great fruit. Looking after the vineyard is tough. Today’s Gospel is not necessarily about making a tremendous success – the bumper crop from the vine – being the most successful disciple – but it is about being authentic, being real, being honest and taking stock of where we are in history, hearing that wake-up call to be a good steward of the gifts God gives us. It seems ridiculous to imagine the violence inflicted and murder of these people in the vineyard – but when we think of our own working to do God’s will in the vineyard of our own lives: whom do we dismiss along the way or not fully appreciate? How do we divide rather than unite even among Christians and Catholics? What wayward desires get in the way of our bearing fruit in our own worlds?
The disciple will only bring the peace that the world cannot give to others when they are prepared to give themselves over to Him, as only this brings true inner peace. As Fr General Pedro Arrupe famously said when asked who Jesus was for him throughout his long life, “Jesus is everything”. Giving everything to the one Who is the vinedresser and who calls us into His vineyard. And we have wonderful witness in so many disciples of Christ which makes us – and surely makes many not committed to Christianity wonder - there must be something in this life which follows him, which sees in him the meaning of life, which gives us peace: the lack of complacency, of satisfaction just with doing the minimum, of keeping the status quo, of making sure not to rock the boat.
And so – hearing this call to be disciples of Christ in this Gospel we’re each invited to ask a question of ourselves – indeed it’s the question permeating the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits: what more is Christ asking of me? What more is Christ asking of me? The same question which Christians who down the ages have heard Christ ask amd which is now addressed to us in this storm at this time. What more is Christ, who as Son of God walked this earth, died on the Cross and then rose for me, now asking of me, if I am to truly to take my place as a worker in his vineyard, that is in his kingdom?
How will I this week tend his vine, in co-operation with those around me on this fragile planet I am called to embrace, not destroy? How will I say yes to that call not just now but every day, trusting that he will bring our world to the fulfillment which he promises?
Fr Dominic Robinson SJ