The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 21:43

Americans treasure their freedom more than all else. They regard freedom as an inalienable right and fight to retain and protect that right. They even regard freedom as some sort of halo that surrounds them, lifts then up, lights them up.

With freedom comes responsibility. But, responsibility, an endearing partner of freedom is not often so highly treasured. We might regard responsibility as a millstone that troubles us, drags us down, and burdens our days. In fact, however, freedom and responsibility are two sides to the same coin. They are not opposites. Freedom is a gift, a privilege. As with all gifts, it is to be treasured, used and enjoyed. Responsibility is a guarantee of the gift. It does not stand in opposition to the gift but in relationship to it. Without responsibility, our gift of freedom could not exist or would cease to exist. We must learn to treasure responsibility in order to have freedom. Without responsibility, freedom will elude us.

The notion of responsibility is difficult to appreciate in a selfish age. We are too inclined to focus our attention on ourselves; on what I want, rather than what is good for me, for the community. We are told to focus on what pleases me, rather than what pleases God. Today’s gospel reminds us that we must not be content with pleasing ourselves like the irresponsible workers in the vineyard. We must do something positive about the world we live in. This world is likened to a vineyard and we must all work together to make it a good vineyard. We must work to put an end to drug abuse, to alcohol abuse, to abortion, to the exploitation of farmers, to the unjust treatment of peoples in the Third World. The good laborer in the vineyard cannot bury his head in the sand like an ostrich; he must work with his fellowmen and with the master of the vineyard to make it fruitful and pleasing for all.

What do you think God expects from us, his people? He does have clear expectations. Jesus tells us that when the people or the leaders of the people do not pull together to promote justice and love in our community, God is disappointed. Justice and love are real fruits of God’s vineyard. When He finds them among his people and their leaders, He is content and happy. If He does not find them, his kingdom will be taken “away from you and given to a people that will yield a rich harvest.”

Fr. Hugh Duffy