Second Friday of Lent

Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.

God sent his beloved Son into the world to obtain the heavenly harvest of souls and after Jesus death he asked us to continue his work. He asks us to go into the world, risk our lives as the other servants have before us, and work in the vineyard of the Lord. It is not an easy or safe task he has set before us. Many of us have been martyred, mocked, and persecuted for our belief in the Christian way of life. However, it is the most rewarding life we can live. If we rebel against God and do no good works, then we will spiritually starve in the afterlife. On the other hand, if we pour ourselves out for God and others, we will yield a harvest ten, fifty, or a hundred fold and have a bountiful feast at the heavenly banquet with God.

Are we like the first servants who rebel against God thinking we can do things our way? Or are we like the second servants producing good fruit? What words and works can we do to cultivate the vineyard of our souls?

O Lord, give us the strength to tend your vineyard and bear much fruit.

Amen.