Synodality – Looking after the Vineyard
Vineyards were important in Israel, both at the time of the scriptures were written and even today. It would be disastrous to plant and cultivate a vineyard and then have it destroyed. The rebuilding task would be immense. A modern example would be Cyclone Gabrielle in February, which devastated much of vineyard lined Esk Valley. In both cases, a long recovery period of renewal and patience is required.
The Isaiah reading prophesies about God’s plan for his vineyard – that is, the people of Israel. Isaiah says that even with all of the Lord’s care and cultivation, his people have failed to grow. But there is Good News – God will “start over,” again.
A key word for understanding the Gospel parable is ‘tenants’ – the people who run the vineyard do not own it – it is not their vineyard; they have been entrusted with it, but as tenants. The vineyard belongs to God.
Which bring me to the Synod in Rome. If we can see the Vineyard as the Church, then the Synod is about growing in holiness as a Church community. We know that the Church is Holy because Jesus is there, it is his church. We also know the Church is sinful because we are there, and we are sinners!
The Synod is a unique opportunity to look at ourselves as Church, a ‘stock take’ of sorts. As we ‘walk together’ as church, what can the Holy Spirit teach and guide us on our pilgrim journey? How can the vineyard be more productive? Who is missing out? Why do we ‘leak’ members? How can we be a better, holier, more inclusive church?
These are all questions to be prayerfully discerned, guided by the Holy Spirit. The vineyard (Church) is not ours. It is God’s. We pray to discern how we can be better tenants of the Church community that has been entrusted to us.
Fr Ron Bennett
