Violence in the Vineyard

Reflections on the Readings

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - October 2, 2011 - Year A

By Dennis S. Hankins

Readings For This Sunday

Violence in the Vineyard

Jesus said, "Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire the inheritance.'"

Since the beginning, God has intended his children to live in his garden; that is, his vineyard. It is a place of abundant life. In God's presence is fulness of joy; it is a place where the crown jewel of his creation may cultivate his existence in the freedom as a son and daughter of God. Fruit of a faithful and obedient heart is possible and expected in this vineyard. Protected from marauders, under the watchful and loving eye of God, the residents of this place grow in the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Matthew's gospel is written for the faithful Jewish Christians of his time. So his reflections on the Messiah are based on the reactions of the elders of the people and the chief priests. Again this week we witness what Matthew sees as the growing conflict between Jesus and the leaders of the people. Matthew understands in hindsight why these endless encounters are the prelude to the cross. Today's gospel reading is especially poignant on this reality.

Jesus highlights the history of God's care for his people ever since he brought them out of Egypt. Israel is the vineyard. Like a vine plucked up out of Egypt, Israel was transplanted. Protecting his new garden, God drove out the nations and planted his new vine. In time this vine grew and extended its reach and influence. Served by priests and elders of the people, Israel worshipped God according to the rhythm of feasts and festivals celebrating the mighty acts of God. To Israel belongs the Law, the Temple, the Feasts and the Sacrifices. The envy of the world, even the Queen of Sheba came to the great king, Solomon. Having heard of Solomon's fame, she came to test the wise king with difficult questions.

The Queen did not come empty handed. Her large retinue included camels bearing spices, gold, and precious stones. Solomon answered all of her questions and there was nothing hidden from him which he could not explain. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all of the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. (1 Kings 10:1-5) You might say she was impressed!

In times of spiritual drought, God sent his messengers the prophets. These prophets were not always warmly received. Elijah fled for his life. Jeremiah was stoned. John the Baptist was beheaded. These are the servants who visited the vineyard to remind it of its high calling and to warn it of its loose living. And the tenants took these servants and beat them, stoned them, and killed them. Looking for the fruit of his commandments, the prophets found only violence in the vineyard.

But in the end, God visited his wayward son Israel by sending his only begotten Son. And God said, "Surely, they will revere my Son, and receive the gift my love, and turn again to me and bear the fruit of my calling upon them!" But they took him outside the vineyard and spit on him, and plucked his beard, and made a mockery of him and killed him, leaving his few followers and Mother weeping at the foot of the cross.

The vineyard had seen violence but this violence made the sun cease to shine for the space of three hours. All the blood of every violent and vicious act perpetrated in the vineyard dripped from the Son's body. Being the stone which the builders rejected, the spirit of the Son left his body, and stopping by the curtains to the Holy of Holies, he tore them in two. Violence in the vineyard met God and gave an account. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

Jesus told the elders of the people and chief priests he would give the vineyard to a people producing the fruits of it. "Who is that?" you ask. It is the Church. It's you and me. Is there any violence in this vineyard? Sobering, isn't it? James tells us the tongue is a fire; an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, and is set on fire of hell; destroying everything in its violent path. Beasts and birds and dolphins can be tamed by humankind. But the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison, no man can tame. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. James exclaims, "My brethren, this ought not to be so." (James 3:6-12)

I am inspired by the Holy Father's words to the young people of Germany during his recent pilgrimage to his native land. He asked the young people before him to have courage to be saints. Speaking to the theme of light during his pastoral visit, the Pope explained to the young people, "At this point we cannot remain silent about the existence of evil. We see it in so many places in this world; but we also see it - and this scares us - in our own lives. Truly, within our hearts there is a tendency towards evil, there is selfishness, envy, aggression. Perhaps with a certain self-discipline all this can to some degree be controlled. But it becomes more difficult with faults that are somewhat hidden, that can engulf us like a thick fog, such as sloth, or laziness in willing and doing good. Again and again in history, keen observers have pointed out that damage to the Church comes not from her opponents, but from uncommitted Christians."

The violence of evil lurks in the darkness and seeks to engulf us in its ugly and destructive tentacles. But we have a refuge this morning. In the midst of the vineyard, the Church, there is bread, able to satisfy every hungry heart; there is also this cup in which we partake of the power of an endless life. It is the body and blood of Christ - it is the Lord - he who when he was violently reviled and rejected, opened not his mouth. And when time stood still that long ago Friday afternoon, the centurion filled with awe, spoke for all of us, "Truly this was the Son God!" Indeed, truly this is Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Let us say, "Amen," and partake of his peace.

Dennis Hankins is a parishioner at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, of the Diocese of Knoxville, TN. Prior to his uniting with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil 2006, Dennis served as a priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church. You can email him at dennishankins@gmail.com His website is: www.dennishankins.com

A Heart Full of Amazement - An Invitation to Believe!

Reflections on the Readings

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 25, 2011 - Year A

By Dennis S. Hankins

dennishankins@gmail.com

Readings For This Sunday

A Heart Full of Amazement - An Invitation to Believe!

"For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him." - Jesus

I am struck by the bewilderment Jesus expresses in today's gospel. Aware of the movement of 'known' sinners accepting John's baptism, yet the keepers of the law, of the commandments, of the promises of God refuse John's preaching and baptism. John came to his generation 'in the way of righteousness,' bringing a warning not to miss the true light coming. John's baptism prepared those coming to the banks of the Jordan river to be spiritually ready to receive the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Truly, John was a man sent from God. (John 1:6)

Tax collectors and prostitutes eagerly entered the door into the kingdom of God - the others - dismiss the invitation. Jesus asks, "Why did you not have a change of heart when you saw tax collectors and harlots entering the kingdom of God before your very eyes?" This is the bewildering, the amazing and perplexing question Jesus poses. Some in Jesus' day were so near, yet so very far away. Seeing the work of grace so evident, yet many remained unmoved, unchanged, unrepentant, and unimpressed.

The readings today remind us to pray always to have a heart ever amazed at God's amazing grace. We must always keep before us that God's love and compassion are eternal. His kindness and goodness invite us to walk in his way. His love guides us into the way of truth and life. God reaches out to show us sinners the way.

The movie, Les Miserables, is one of my all time favorite movies. The story offers several lessons, namely, that hardship is inevitable; injustice is real and harsh; a new beginning, a new life is possible through repentance; and forgiveness is a power vengeance cannot equal. As the Holy Father reminded the German people this past week, the faith and the witness of the saints and the Church they loved, "show us that it is truly possible and good to live our relationship with God in a radical way, to put Him first place, not as one concern among others." This is the power and truth the readings today reveal and remind us of. The great metanoia, the spiritual conversion we always need.

I'm sure it was this power of forgiveness that attracted the harlots and the tax collectors; the invitation to know God in a deeply personal way. And together, sinners of all sorts accepted a love that was greater than any thing they had ever known. John pointed to the doorway of a new humanity bathed in the light of the love that is from above.

The Church is a great door of invitation. The Church invites the world to know and fall in love with the Savior. It is not silver or gold that adorns the Church. The great and important museums of art and galleries of statuary - important as they are - are not the true glory of the Church. No my friends, not pomp or circumstance nor political standing or government approval is the true power of Christ's Church. My brothers and sisters, the true trophies of the Church are those who have traded their sins and sorrows for a new life adorned by Grace that is greater than all of our sins. It is this gift that his renewed every time we come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The true power of the Church is its power to forgive sins. The message of the Church is that, "God loves you, God is not mad at you, and God will never leave you nor forsake you." Personal faith in Christ through the Church is the reason for the presence of the Church in the world today. What is it that is amazing about Grace again? It is Jesus in his Church saying to you and to all, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more."

Jesus invites us today to this Table of Grace. We bring the gift of ourselves in praise of what his love has wrought in each of us. As we commune with Christ today, let us determine to live each moment with a heart full of amazement for this life giving bread and this saving cup.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now, I see. Amen.

The Generous Love of God! - Sunday, September 18, 2011

Reflections on the Readings

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 18, 2011 - Year A

By Dennis S. Hankins

dennishankins@gmail.com

Readings For This Sunday

The Generous Love of God!

"Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?" (Matthew 20:15)

Through the prophet Isaiah God speaks to us today. He says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways my ways." And yet God is as near to us as our next breath and we should call upon him while he is near. We should seek him while he may be found; not that he is lost, but we are without him.

And God's promise is that he is merciful and will abundantly pardon all who turn to him. That is the testimony of everyone who turns to him. It is the testimony of the penitent thief on the cross, to whom Christ promised Paradise at the last hour of this man's life. The apostle Paul describes the resurrection appearances of Jesus to more than five hundred brethren at one time. He states that he appeared to James, then to all of the apostles. But "Last of all, Paul says, as to one untimely born, he appeared to me also."

The message of the today's Gospel is a rich reminder of the generosity of God. He invites all into his friendship. To all he offers the same gift of eternal life. As we come nearer to the cross of Christ, we discover a remarkable thing. Everyone of us stand on level ground as we gaze upon God's offer of forgiveness and salvation. No one gets more love than another; no favorites are standing here. Together, whether we arrived here early in the morning or make our profession of faith at the last hour of our life, receive the same invitation to come into his embrace; to enter into his rest.

There is a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The scribes and Pharisees escorted her to the feet of Jesus demanding that justice be done; that the law of Moses be followed. Jesus wrote something on the ground and then stood up and invited anyone without sin to hurl the first stone against the condemned woman. Again Jesus wrote something in the dust; and one one by the accusers left. Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more."

What did Jesus write on the ground? Some ancient manuscripts of this passage state that Jesus listed the sins of each of the accusers. I wonder if he may have included after each sin, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more."

For various reasons it is sometimes hard for folks to believe how generously merciful and forgiving the Father is. Some believe that their sin is too sinful. They don't believe that God could forgive them. Others think it's just simply too late. "There is nothing left to save," they say. But God reaches out to all; the rich and poor; the down and out; the wasted and wearied. To God, who is not willing that any should perish, there is no one too lost or too old or too sinful. Neither is it ever too late.

If Jesus is saying anything to us in today's Gospel it is surely that God is generous. Whether your sins were forgiven early in your life or today your are in the sunset years of life, God's grace is amazing, it is full, and it is free. There is no friendship as real and life changing as is the friendship of Jesus. The little children ran to him and lepers cried out to him. The demon possessed were liberated by him and fisherman left their nets and followed him.

It is extremely difficult for some to think that God is so willing and able and ready to forgive. Some believe that God is too generous. Do not misunderstand. I'm not preaching that Grace is cheap. I am saying that God's grace is sufficient and what he gave to a motley crew of disciples two thousand years ago is what he will give to you and to me today. So whether we are still in the first hour of the Church or it is the eleventh hour of her witness, God's love is the same unconditional gift of eternal life.

Come, let us adore him. Here at this Altar let us bow down and cry worthy is the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. And then with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving let us bring to our lips this life giving bread and this saving cup. And then let us return to our families and to our communities and work places to imitate the generous love we celebrate today.

The Spiritual Work of Mercy

Reflections on the Readings

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 11, 2011 - Year A

By Dennis S. Hankins

dennishankins@gmail.com

Readings For This Sunday

The Spiritual Work of Mercy

"And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt." - Jesus (Matthew 18:27)

St. John Chrysostom on today's gospel stated:

"What then are God's good deeds? He created us from nothing; he made the whole visible world for us, the heaven, the sea, the earth, animals, plants and seeds. I must be brief because of the infinite number of his works. Into us alone of all that are on earth he breathed a living soul. He planted a garden for us. He gave us a helpmate and set us over all the brute species, and he crowned us with glory and honor. And yet after all this, when humanity turned out ungrateful toward its benefactor, he thought us worthy of an even greater gift----forgiveness."

Have you ever heard someone say, "I'll never forgive him?" Or, "I'll never forgive her?" Never is a long time. In the Catechism we read: There is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive. "There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest." Christ who died for all men desires that in his Church the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns away from sin. (#982)

I often gaze upon the crucifix affixed to the wall behind the Altar. And I can't help think about what put Jesus there. I can't help think that my hand was wrapped around that hammer that drove the nails into his hands and his feet. I can't help think that it was my anger, my vengeful attitude, my darkened mind and my weakened will that made this supreme act of Mercy necessary. A crucifix in the home just might help everyone in the house to be a little bit more merciful.

Among the several things that ticked off the scribes one stands out. The paralytic who was carried on a pallet by four men was let down through a hole in the roof of a house where Jesus was teaching. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven." And the scribes sitting there said, "You can't do that! This is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

One of the objections to the Sacrament of Reconciliation is that only God can forgive sins. But the 'forgiveness of sins' is a ministry of the Church. Jesus gave his apostles and their successors the 'power to forgive sins;' the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:18) They taught as the Church does today that we can be reconciled to God; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:19) In this Sacrament we are reconciled to God and his Church. It is this Mercy we take back into our homes and jobs and relationships and dispense it as freely as we have received it.

This is what the unforgiving servant failed to do in today's gospel. He owed his master what equated to more than fifteen years' of pay. Out of pity for him who begged for mercy, the master released him from his huge debt. Somehow this same man could not give what he had received. We are to freely give what we have received. When we leave the confessional we must always remember that to whom much is given, much is required.

The gracious words of absolution are: God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Are there any more gracious and merciful words in all the world? I think not. A year or so ago, my youngest daughter came to me and told me she was sorry about something. I said something like, "OK," in a somewhat sympathetic tone; I think. And immediately she said, "Well, don't you forgive me?" Out of the mouth of little children. I learned something that moment about the spiritual work of mercy.

We come today to this Table of Mercy. And we remember that when the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 3:5-6) Amen.

You're My Brother and You're My Sister

Reflections on the Readings

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 4, 2011 - Year A

By Dennis S. Hankins

dennishankins@gmail.com

Readings For This Sunday

You're My Brother and You're My Sister

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother."

I thought it would subside after I came into the Catholic Church. But it continues to burn deep in my soul. It's like fire shut up in my bones and I can't seem to stay quiet about it - the unity of the faith - the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith. I try to write these reflections with all of my brothers and sisters in mind. It is my effort to write in a way that is Catholic 101 for my non-catholic readers and Protestant 101 for my Catholic readers. What we have in common is greater than what divides us.

As I write this reflection I am in tears as I listen to Russ Taff singing:

You're my brother you're my sister,

so take me by the hand.

Together we will work until He comes.

There's no foe that can defeat us;

if we're walkin' side by side.

As long as there is love,

We will stand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=narXOiZP2U4

The Apostle John, according to tradition, lived to the ripe old age of 94 and was buried on the mountain in Ephesus. The beloved disciple grew weak in his later years. St Jerome relates that the Apostle was carried to the assembly of the faithful by his disciples. The only message the great Apostle of brotherly love gave was: "My dear children, love one another." (www.ewtn.com/library/mary/johnevan.htm)

Some in the Ephesian Church complained about this single and predictable message from the Apostle John. When John was asked why his message was always the same he replied, " Because it is the precept of the Lord, and if you comply with it, you do enough."

Yes, my friend it is enough. St. Peter explains, "Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) "They will know that you are my disciples if you love one another," says our Lord. There is no greater love than to reach out to one another; no greater love than to stand side by side and lay down our life for another. In the Church there is one, only one debt we owe: Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (Ro. 13:8) This charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit; so faith, hope, love abide, these there; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:13)

It is the conviction of Pope Benedict XVI to pray for the full and visible unity of the Church. Such is the gift of the Holy Spirit; let us earnestly desire this gift. It is revealed in the prayer of Jesus in John 17 when he prays, "That they (you and me) may be one as you and I are one. Do you invite anyone from your Parish family to eat at your table? Does it matter to you when someone you're used to seeing at the Mass at which you pray is missing from their familiar spot? Did you walk across the Church to see someone who usually walks in but today is nursing a leg in a cast? Am I my brother's keeper?

I remember one time my mother expressing great concern when our Pentecostal church decided not to have Sunday evening church one week; only one week mind you. She stood and wept tears as she passionately recalled how a certain minister before he knew the Lord came into a Pentecostal church like ours and found the Lord. Two ladies were keeping the little church open, and this man wandered in soaked in sin and other things, and met the love of his life - Jesus Christ, and him crucified. What's that again? - If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Many believe that there is power in numbers; today we learn there is power in reconciliation. It is in the unity of prayer and calling on the Lord together wherein the power of grace and forgiveness is released. It is no small thing to wrestle with the need to see the Parish become welcoming, embracing one another in the gift of friendship - the kind of friendship Jesus describes as a love that is so profound, so prayerful, so powerful - that one would lay down his life for his friend.

Today's gospel reminds us how we are truly connected to each other. We hear of the great effort to maintain the unity of the faith in the bonds of peace. St. Paul describes the Church, this temple not made with hands as united with Christ and the whole body is joined and knit together and nourished by what each joint supplies. And then as each part is working properly, the body (the Church) grows and builds itself in love. (see Ephesians 4:11-16)

O the healing friendship that Jesus brings us in the gift of himself. In this friendship we learn how to have our relationships and friendships healed. As we come to this Table we receive this life giving bread; this saving cup. If we have any need to be reconciled to one another, let us first be reconciled to each other, and then come to this Table as restored brothers and sisters. Jesus speaks to each one of us today and says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

You're my brother you're my sister,

so take me by the hand.

Together we will work until He comes.

There's no foe that can defeat us;

if we're walkin' side by side.

As long as there is love,

We will stand.

Amen.