TRAPPIST REFLECTIONS

the following is a meditation from a dear friend and trappist monk, Fr. Jerome Machar, O.C.S.O. Abbey of the Genesee. peace to all from Salvador de Bahia, a marvelous city. Lots of Love here.

Judges 9:6-15

Mt 20:1-16

As I read today’s first reading, my mind drifted the scene in the book of Exodus where Moses was confronted by his countrymen. “Who made you our ruler and judge?” (Ex. 2:14) I think this question is of paramount importance in an age that celebrates the virtues of democracy. At the heart of the study of political science is the question of the source of power to govern. Does authority come from God or the electorate? Do voters confer power on the person for whom they cast the ballot or does God? Contrary to some of the rumblings that have come out of the Supreme Court, authority truly does come from God. This means that we should use the election process as a way of discerning the individuals God has anointed for the purpose of governing our land. It is not my intention to enter into a political debate. Rather, I invite each of you to explore the possibility of living a faith-filled life in a secularized democracy. Do we settle for groveling in the dirt under the branches of some buckthorn (CF. Jdgs. 9:15)? Or do we call forth leaders that will challenge us to live in the greatness and dignity that is ours as the Children of God?
Mother Teresa once said, “[As the Children of God we are] to count on our heavenly Father for everything in a spontaneous movement of abandonment, remaining convinced of our radical nothingness, but nevertheless sure of his paternal goodness, if necessary with boldness.”

It is God’s love that makes us who we are and keeps us in existence.

At the dawning of each day, it is the God of love that invites us to be coworkers with him in the vineyard of his kingdom. It is of utmost importance that we never forget that it is God who first approaches us. This is stated quite clearly in the words St. John wrote in his first letter. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:10). It is the God of Love who planted the vineyard, as we read in the book of Isaiah the prophet. “Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines” (Is. 5:1-2). Through the mystery of the Incarnation, the image of the vineyard becomes even more intimate and inclusive. We have Jesus words for it. “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15: 5). It is Love that made us. It is Love that sustains us. It is Love that makes us fruitful.
In the Prologue to his Rule, St. Benedict wrote this: “Seeking his workman in a multitude of people, the Lord calls out to him and lifts his voice again: Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? (Ps 33[34]: 13) If you hear this and your answer is “I do,” God then directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim (Ps 33[34]: 14–15)” (RB Prol. 14-17). Those who accept employment in the vineyard of the Lord willingly accept the challenges of living in the greatness and dignity of the children of God. Those who accept employment in the vineyard of the Lord refuse to grovel in the dirt under the shade of any buckthorn bush. Those who accept employment in the vineyard of the Lord look up to the heights as did Abraham our Father in the Faith. “Look up to the heavens and count the stars, if you can” (Gen. 15: 5). We are to look beyond the horizon because our homeland is in heaven and not of this world.
God is generous in calling people to enter his vineyard. He is extravagant in his payment to all who have labored, whether they have worked a lifetime for him and or only come to know him with their last gasp. Consider the words of the seer of Patmos. “To everyone who conquers [enters the vineyard] I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Rev. 2: 17). The Lord calls his disciples to serve God and neighbor with generosity and joy. Do we perform our work and duties with cheerfulness for the Lord's sake? And do we give generously to others, especially to those in need? May we always serve the Lord and our neighbors with cheerful and generous hearts. When the Master of the vineyard comes at the end of time may we be found worthy of receiving the secret manna of eternal life.