What Belongs to God

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

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

Picture: By Grischa on Unsplash

My dear friends, what do vandalism and embezzlement have in common? Apart from being crimes punishable by law, aren’t they both also forms of stealing? When I vandalise or embezzle, I treat (or mistreat) someone else’s property as if it were my own. The police won’t come knocking on my door if I cover my own bedroom with graffiti. But they will, if I do the same, without permission, to the walls in my neighbour’s house, or the MRT station, or the parish hall.

In a sense, both vandalism and embezzlement are forms of theft. Remembering this may help us appreciate the meaning of the story told in our scriptures today. In the first reading and the psalm, the vineyard represents the House of Israel. The people whom God mercifully rescues from slavery in Egypt, tenderly leads and sustains through the wilderness, and lovingly settles and safeguards in the Promised Land. This is God’s vineyard. Cultivated to be a shining example, to all nations, of right worship and righteous living.

But the people turn away from God. By worshipping idols, and mistreating the poor, they disfigure God’s vineyard. Causing it to produce the sour grapes of bloodshed instead of justice, distress in place of integrity. In response, like a brokenhearted parent reluctantly allowing a drug-addicted child to face the consequences of its own actions, God lets the vineyard suffer the dire effects of its own spiritual vandalism. Israel is conquered, torn apart, scattered in exile.

In the gospel, the story is retold with a different emphasis. In Jesus’ ongoing verbal battle with the religious leaders who question his authority, the vineyard represents the kingdom of God, and the tenants the leaders themselves, to whom the kingdom is entrusted. By burdening the people with misguided interpretations of the Law, by using religion to feed their own egos and line their own pockets, the leaders have kept for themselves what belongs rightfully to God. They have engaged in spiritual embezzlement. In response, like a concerned parent replacing an abusive babysitter, God will entrust the vineyard to Someone Else. Someone who will humbly and lovingly lay down his own life for the vineyard’s healing and sustenance.

Treating (or mistreating) as one’s own what rightfully belongs to God. This is what the scriptures warn us against today. Examples that come easily to mind include our abuse of God’s green earth, and neglect of migrants and refugees. And aren’t we often misled and pressured into disfiguring ourselves and our children too? Such as when we burn ourselves out desperately trying to control everything and outdo everyone? Which is why St Paul’s wise reminder is so helpful: There is no need to worry… if there’s anything you need pray for it… fill your minds with everything that is true…  good and pure… Then the God of peace will be with you.

Sisters and brothers, if spiritual vandalism and embezzlement are indeed different forms of theft, what must we do to help one another stop stealing from God today?