27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

BALANCINGTHE BOOKS AND BEARING FRUITS

In my second year of Theology, I had an experience that taught me a great deal about human life and its important lessons. One of the prominent priests whose life and pastoral zeal drew me to the priesthood was diagnosed with cancer and told he had a few months to live. He was at the height of his pastoral ministry and much loved by his parishioners. When he received the sad news, everyone expected him to go berserk and question God about his ordeal; however, we were all surprised by how calm he was and how peacefully he accepted the news. When he returned to his parish, he informed his Bishop, his family, and close friends, then published it in the parish newsletter. Afterwards, he began putting his affairs in order by writing his Last Will and Testament, his own Order of Funeral Mass, and finally summoning all his family and friends to distribute his possessions. I was among those who stayed by his side throughout this period to support him and help him manage his affairs. A few days before he died, we were having lunch together when a few of his priest friends dropped by to see him. He welcomed them warmly and laughed with them. While they reminisced about the old days, one of them asked him an important question: Fr Anthony, do you have any regrets, and are you not afraid to die? Fr Anthony’s reply shocked and moved us all. He said: “Since I received the news of my health situation, I have searched my conscience thoroughly and can tell you that I do not have any regrets at all. I am by no means perfect; however, I have made my peace with God and all those around me. I am not afraid of death; in fact, I am looking forward to going back to God, and I hope He will look upon me with mercy. I hope I have balanced my books and borne some fruits for God.” Fr Anthony died peacefully a few days later with a smile on his face. When his personal diary was opened, the caption there in was – BALANCINGTHE BOOKS AND BEARING FRUIT! Yes, this balancing of books and bearing good fruit is what we encounter in this Sunday’s readings.

Using the imagery of a vineyard, its owner and the hired workers, we are reminded of the importance of balancing the books and bearing good fruit. In today’s First Reading, Isaiah’s Song of the Vineyard, the Prophet reminds us of God’s tender, loving care for His vineyard, His chosen people. Despite this care, they failed to bear the fruit He expected. In today’s Gospel, set during the Passover week, Christ tells the parable of the wicked tenants, revealing the ingratitude, spitefulness, and darkness of the unexamined human heart. The English word ‘leased’, which we encountered in today’s homily, comes from two Greek root words, ek and didomi (ekdidómi) meaning to let out for one’s own advantage. Yes, everything we possess is a gift God has bestowed on us for His advantage; as good tenants, we must read the details of our Tenancy Agreement, for one day we will be called to balance the books and display the fruits we have produced from the many gifts God gave us. One way we can bear fruit is by heeding St Paul’s instructions in today’s Second Reading, living lives that are honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and worthy of praise. That is the kind of lifestyle that will move modern men and women, as Pope St Paul VI enjoined on us in Evangelii Nuntiandi #50: to be witnesses, not just teachers.