Daily Reflections

October 2, 2011
Breach of Contract

The parable about the murder of the servants and the son of the vineyard owner asks for a lighter introduction. It is about two little brothers. The elder said to his younger brother, “I will give you 50 pesos if you let me break three eggs on your head.” The little boy knew it would be painful but because he wanted the money, he agreed. The bigger boy then went on to break an egg on his brother’s head who cried, “Ouch!” Then he broke the second egg on his little brother’s head. It really hurt and the little guy cried out in pain, but he was determined to get his 50 pesos. So he braced himself for the third and last egg, but his elder brother walked away laughing. “Come on, bring that third egg,” said the little boy. “Nope!” said the bigger brother, “I don’t want to lose my 50 pesos.”
One could dismiss the story as kids playing pranks, but there is something more serious going on here. It is called breach of contract. It is about the sense of responsibility, the recognition that every privilege comes with a price tag. Like the big brother in our story, some people try to take advantage of others, of society and even of God. We see that in the parable of the rebellious farm tenants in today’s Gospel who enjoy their benefits as managers but withhold the benefits that should go to the landowner.
What does it have to do with us? What is our vineyard? The vineyard is everything God has given us. The absentee vineyard owner is our Father in heaven and we are His tenants. What is our attitude towards the vineyard? Are we grateful for it and do we care for everything God has given to us? Are we like the tenants acting as if we own everything God has given to us, forgetting that we are to produce fruit for God? Are we forgetting about the Giver who has given us all these beautiful gifts?
A lot of serious questions arise from the simple story Jesus told us and from that of the two little brothers. How do I answer these questions in my life? Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

Reflection Question:
Do I regard my talents, privileges and opportunities as my own or do I regard them as entrusted to me by God to whom I have to return them in due time?

Lord, give me the wisdom and the courage never to abuse my privileges but rather to make careful use of all the opportunities that God has given me.

St. Theophilus, pray for us.