The father's expectation: "They will respect my son." 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

The readings for these last three Sundays form a beautiful progression. We have remained in the Lord's vineyard. First, we heard the invitation:“Go, then, to my vineyard”Then came the call to respond with deeds and not just words. Today we discover the purpose of our work: God expects his vineyard to bear fruit.

The Gospel returns to the image presented in the first reading from the prophet Isaiah. The vineyard is the Lord's most beloved possession, planted with care, protected, and lovingly tended. As Isaiah says:“The vineyard of the Lord of the universe is the house of Israel".

Jesus now elaborates on this image in light of salvation history. The vineyard has been given to tenants, responsible for cultivating it and delivering its fruits to its owner. The privilege of working in the vineyard carries with it the responsibility of bearing fruit.

Then comes the most moving moment of the parable:“Finally, he sent his son to them, saying: ‘They will respect my Son.’ These words reveal something very deep in the heart of God. They do not express ignorance or naiveté, as if God did not know what was going to happen. Rather, they reveal the astonishing generosity of divine love. God never ceases to invite and offer new opportunities for conversion. Instead of responding to rebellion with immediate punishment, he responds with the greatest gift he could give: he sends his own beloved Son.

The farmers think that by killing him, they can keep the inheritance. To God's greatest act of love, they respond with humanity's greatest act of violence.

But the vineyard is not only ancient Israel. It is also the Church today and, even more so, each one of us. The question the Gospel leaves us with is not simply whether we are working in the vineyard, but whether our work is bearing fruit. It is not enough to belong to the Church. It is not enough to be engaged in religious activities. God expects the fruits of a transformed life and a holiness that becomes visible in daily life.