Isaiah 5:1-7 / Philippians 4:6-9 / Matthew 21:33-43
It has often been said that money cannot buy happiness.
That is true, because happiness is not a commodity or a thing that can be bought at a price.
Nonetheless, money can also give us a sense of security so that the basic needs of life like food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare are met.
But one thing that we need to think about with regards to money is this:
When it comes to money, is it the more the better? Is it the more the merrier? Is it the more the happier?
Although we know that money cannot buy happiness, but somehow, we think that money is always not enough.
Even though our financial assets tell us that we have enough, yet we desire for more.
It stems from that sinful desire called greed, that makes us think that we don't have enough, and that we need more.
So, in short, the desire and greed for money is our human weakness and failing.
The lesson that keeps coming to us is that there is enough for everyone's need, but never enough for everyone's greed. And we are still learning that lesson.
In the Gospel, Jesus told a parable that pointed out the human weakness and failing.
It is a parable about a landowner who leased out his vineyard to some tenants.
That landowner provided for everything. He fenced it round, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
So, the tenants had everything done for them, and they just have to give the landowner what is rightfully his at vintage time.
But those tenants became greedy. What they rented, they now wanted.
When the landowner sent his servants to collect his produce, the tenants turned violent and wicked.
They seized the servants, trashed them, stoned them, and even kill them.
And when the landowner sent his son, the servants also killed him, thinking that they can now take over the inheritance.
Even though it is a parable, it is a reality and a tragedy, that human greed knows no limits and can even resort to violence.
So initially, the tenants were happy, then they got greedy, and what followed was a tragedy.
But the parable is not just about human greed and its tragic consequences.
It is also about God's blessings that is bestowed on His people.
God's blessings on us is that He will always provide for our needs.
As the second reading tells us, “there is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and thoughts”.
With God's blessing and with God's peace in our hearts, we are to live virtuous and noble lives, doing what is good and pure, and doing it with love and honour.
That is the fruit that we are to produce in our lives.
God has called us and chosen us to bear those fruits for His glory.
It is in bearing those fruits of holiness that others will see God present in our lives, and that they will want to know God through us.
And that is actually our mission, isn't it?
There is a story of a conversation between Jesus and the archangel Gabriel, and though it is just a story, it illustrates a good point.
After Jesus ascended to heaven, the archangel Gabriel approached Him and said, "Master, You must have suffered terribly for men down there."
"I did," Jesus said. "And," continued Gabriel, "do they know all about how You loved them and what You did for them?"
"Oh, no," said Jesus, "not yet. Right now only a small group of people in Jerusalem know about it."
Gabriel was astonished. "Then what have You done, to let everyone know about Your love for them?"
Jesus said, "I've asked Peter, James, John, and a few more friends to tell other people about Me. Those who are told will in turn tell other people about Me, and My story will be spread to the furthest ends of the world. Ultimately, all of mankind will have heard about My life and what I have done."
Gabriel frowned and looked rather puzzled. He knew how weak and flawed men are. "But what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? What if way down in the twenty-first century, people just don't tell others about You? Haven't You made any other plans?"
And Jesus answered, "I haven't made any other plans. I'm counting on them"
Twenty centuries later, Jesus still has no other plan!
So, there is no "plan B". Jesus counted on His early disciples, and they delivered.
Jesus is also counting on you and me.
Those early disciples prayed and Jesus helped them.
Let us also pray and trust that Jesus will provide for us, and we will bear the fruits for His glory and lead others to Him.