possession

To me the story of the greedy vineyard workers is one of the most poignant in the Gospels. The unthinkable - a crime which sets our stomach turning - the killing of a person just for land - just for possessions is abhorrent to us.

Yet set in the Passion narrative by Matthew it is clear which part the story takes - it is a warning of things to come - Jesus is the son and he too will die due to a false sense of possession.

This theme of stuff and life seeming to compete crops up again and again in human history. When one life is given because of our sense of what we own, of who we should be, it is too much. But that is not an easy road to navigate.

But Jesus answer is always the same - he too will die to offer a path back to God - to offer a way of life and allowing others to live. Thanks God for bounty and intelligence and all good things - and pray that we always remember that in this vineyard of our lives we are only tenants - and all belongs to God.