God plants a vineyard.
He chooses fertile ground.
He clears away the stones.
He plants the finest vines.
He builds a watchtower and digs a winepress.
Then he waits for the fruit.
Isaiah’s beautiful image becomes unsettling when the vineyard yields only wild grapes. And Jesus makes the image more disturbing still. The tenants forget that the vineyard was entrusted to them. They seize it as their own. They reject the servants. Finally, they kill the landowner’s son.
It is a difficult parable, especially because Christians have sometimes heard its conclusion as a rejection of the Jewish people. But Jesus himself was Jewish. So were his disciples. So was Matthew and the community for whom he wrote. This is a family argument born from a painful time of division, not permission for Christians to condemn the people of Israel.
Perhaps the sharper question is not: Who lost the vineyard?
The question is: What are we doing with the vineyard entrusted to us?
Faith is not something we possess.
Grace is not something we own.
The Kingdom is gift.
And gifts are meant to bear fruit.
Saint Paul names some of that fruit: whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise.
God has planted much within us.
God has tended us with patience.
God has given us Christ, the stone rejected by the builders who has become the cornerstone.
Now God looks to the vineyard.
What fruit will he find?
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Entrance Antiphon Within Your Will, O Lord (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #178
This antiphon text from Esther praises the God who created all things.
Entrance Chant All Creatures of Our God and King (Traditional; arr. by Rick Modlin)
Spirit & Song #203
The Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi falls on Sunday so it’s not celebrated liturgically this year. However, I think it’s appropriate to acknowledge the humble saint by singing a hymn text that he composed: “All Creatures of Our God and King.” Certainly, the hymn’s praise of creation dovetails well with the vineyard imagery of today’s Gospel.
Responsorial Psalm The Vineyard of the Lord Is the House of Israel (Steve Angrisano)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 310
Steve’s verbatim setting of Psalm 80 is in response to Isaiah’s reflection on the vineyard in the First Reading.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of Endless Mercy (Steve Angrisano)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 312
The acclamation text from John 15 prepares us to listen to today’s Gospel with the mandate from Jesus to bear the fruit of God’s kingdom.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Cornerstone (Jackie Francois)
Spirit & Song #282
Verse 2 of “Cornerstone” references the agrarian imagery of today’s readings.
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Communion Antiphon The Lord Is Good to Those Who Hope in Him [Option 1] (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #179
Antiphon Option 1 from Lamentations encourages our hope in God’s goodness.
Communion Chant Remain in Me, I Am the Vine (Curtis Stephan and Steve Angrisano)
Spirit & Song #257
With lyrics based on John 15’s Vine and Branches imagery, “Remain in Me” is an appropriate song for today.
Sending Forth This Is Amazing Grace (Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle, and Josh Farro)
This popular song of praise sends us forth from this Eucharist to proclaim God’s love and mercy. You will find the sheet music in the link above.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
If you want to use songs that are not in any of the books you have, you can license the songs through ONE LICENSE. Paying for the usage of songs will ensure the Church will have quality songs for years to come.