PRAYER PAUSE

Monday 4 June 2018

GIVE THE VINEYARD TO OTHERS

Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading:  “He will come and make an end to the tenants  and give the vineyard to others.” (Mark 12:1-12)

Reflection. We know the meaning of this parable of the vineyard. We have often heard it. The Jewish leaders tried to “take over” God’s plan for his people and they “lost everything.” They are now “outside” and we are “inside”! But as soon as we say this we know it is not as simple as that.  God does not make these nice distinctions. He is the origin of all things and one of these things is humour.  There are so many highly gifted people in the world and so often they are Jewish.  Long ago Augustine told us there are many “inside” who are really “outside” and many “ourside” who are really “inside”.  Perhaps what the parable is really about is the call to reach out to God in sincerity no matter who we are  - inside or out. I have the image in my mind of little birds in a nest – all with wide open beaks straining for food.

Prayer. Lord, teach us to reach out for truth and engagement in your world.  Send us your grace to nourish our straining forward.  Amen