Vines are sturdy plants. Some grow wild and produce grapes that are toughand tart, while other vines which are cultivated produce a fruit that is more abundant and sweeter. The fruit of the cultivated vine both nourishes and delights. It can be used for several different outcomes. The grape can be dried as raisins, crushed as wine, simply eaten and recently we have begun to use its seeds to produce an oil for cooking and flavouring. It is easy to see why the vine and the grape became such a rich metaphor for the reign of God and a powerful tool for the parable writer.

Like many commonly accessed commodities we take the fruit of the vine for granted and consequently undervalue its significance in ourlives. The owner or any vineyard knows that for the vine to produce the best fruit the vine must be protected and nurtured at all times. Dangers of disease and insects, heat and cold, soil and weather area constant threat. The vine needs to be constantly watered, pruned and protected from whatever may hamper its growth. While we may know that the vines themselves may be hardy, they are also vulnerable.

So it is with the reign of God. It must be tended and protected from what might endanger it so it can produce abundant and delectable fruit.

However this metaphor can be confusing. Are we the worker or the producer? The grape or the vine dresser? As workers in the vineyard we are able to enjoy the fruit of our labour, but we are also called upon to be the ones who tend the vine, who keep it healthy and nurtured, protected and developed. Too many people are happy to sit back and take what the vine produces but accept little responsibility for its continued existence.

While the fruits of the reign of God are freely available to all, the full benefits are saved for those who are prepared to participate in its continued growth.

Fr Peter Dillon