Oct 4 Sun
Am I a son of God or a ‘tenant’ in God’s vineyard?
In the parable, Our Lord refers to some of his own people as "tenants," not part of the landowner's family but outsiders who wish to rob him of his property through murder.
God demands good works from us, just as the landowner expected produce from the land he leased out. Because of original sin, our natural tendency is to look out only for our own selfish interests.
Christ brought salvation and sanctification to every human being, establishing his Church as the new people of God. Every human being is invited to be a member of God’s family.
Thus, the vineyard of the Lord today is the Church. We enter its protective hedge through baptism. For the vines to grow and bear fruit, God himself works in the vineyard; He works through the sacraments. The sacraments provide grace so we can be sanctified and saved.
There are seven sacraments, all instituted by Christ, through which He pours his salvation and sanctification on his people.
Baptism forgives all sins, gives us a share in God’s own life through sanctifying grace, and makes us children of God.
Confirmation is a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit which enables us to live and witness the Faith maturely.
The Eucharist gives us the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ as our daily spiritual food.
Holy Orders gives men the spiritual power and grace needed to properly fulfill ecclesiastical functions in the name of Jesus Christ, head of his mystical body. Thus, sacred ministers can consecrate the body and blood of Christ, pardon sins in sacramental confession, and carry out the ministry of the Word.
Matrimony raises the natural institution of marriage to a means of sanctification for spouses so they can help each other and their children and contribute to the common good.
Penance forgives sins committed after Baptism.
Anointing of the Sick helps the faithful face serious illness and prepares them for death.
For many, frequent confession means going once or twice a month or weekly. Frequent confession is greatly aided by an examination of conscience every evening.
Pastors can assist the faithful in receiving this sacrament frequently by offering convenient times for Confession.
The Church requires us to attend Mass each Sunday. We can also attend daily Mass. Many do because they have discovered what a treasure it is.
If you attend Mass each Sunday and wish to go deeper, you can start small by attending just one more Mass each week. Choose a day and time that will work for you and, assuming you are in a state of grace, receive Communion.
“We Christians must not abandon the vineyard where God has placed us. We must direct our energies to the work before us, within these walls, toiling in the wine-press, and then taking our rest in the tower when our day's work is over.”
“If we were to give in to comfort, it would be like telling Jesus, ‘Look, my time is mine, not yours. I don't want to tie myself down to looking after your vineyard.’"
Instead, we should tell our Lord that He can count on us, that we won't abandon the field He has entrusted to us.