FROM THE PASTORS DESK……                                 



SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2005



Dear Fellow Parishioners,


A week ago last Friday, I was invited to bless the first harvested grapes from the Fetzer Vineyard. It was my first harvest blessing since I arrived in this Central Coast Area of San Miguel. I was awe struck by the beauty of the landscape, the abundance of the newly harvested crop, and the dedication and family-spirit of the workers. It was a celebration of hard work paying off and a moment for taking real satisfaction in cashing in on a dream.

This experience of mine is in the background of my mind as I contemplate the Scriptures appointed to be read on this Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time that speak about another kind of vineyard. The vineyard spoken about in today's Scripture readings is a symbol for God's people.

In the Old Testament reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, God expresses His bitter disappointment in His specially chosen people, the Israelites. (See Isaiah 5: 1-7) Despite God's care and loving protection, the Israelites had abandoned the commandments of God and utterly ignored His call for justice. Can't you just hear God's utter frustration when he says through the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah: "What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?" There is nothing left but to leave them to the dire consequences that their evil actions would eventually bring upon them.

Jesus repeats a similar story in today's Gospel passage from St. Matthew. In His parable about the landowner who planted a vineyard, we see a loving and patient God who has great concern for His vineyard (i.e., His people). Yet His people are callous and ungrateful. Driven by their own selfish interest and concern only for their own personal gain, they put themselves in jeopardy of losing all that God has given them. (See Matthew 21: 33-43) Could this be a warning to us as individuals and as a nation that have been so blessed by God? Something to think about in the light of current events taking place in our country lately!


    Sincerely yours in Christ,



                  Fr. Raymond Tintle, OFM
                Pastor