(Oct. 2nd) Sunday Synopsis

Matthew 21:33-46

Jesus presents us with yet another challenging parable.  He sets the scene by describing the investment that the landowner has made in his vineyard.  He details the time and energy expended in planting, fencing, digging, building, and finally, speaks of the landowner placing it under the stewardship of tenants.  The landowner reasonably expected the tenants to fulfill their part of the deal - to pay the rent from their crop - but the tenants have another idea in mind. They see the vineyard as their own, therefore anyone who comes asking for rent on behalf of the landowner is a threat, and will be dealt with accordingly…the master sends messenger after messenger giving the tenants chance after chance to respond to his appeal, and instead of responding to the call, they ignore his plea, they even kill his son.  What should the landowner do?

Many churches celebrate every year on the first Sunday of October what is known as World Communion Sunday. It is a day in the liturgical calendar set aside to remind us (and the world), from one perspective, of the barriers/walls we’ve built which divide the church; which discriminate and differentiate; split, segregate and separate; cut, control, and counter the work of the church…I like to think of World Communion Sunday as the day when we are reminded, once again, year after year, of whose church it is.

The Church is the Lord’s Vineyard.  The time has come for churches everywhere to start doing their best to fulfill their part of the deal.