The original stewards of the vineyard were the chief priests, scribes, and Sanhedrin. They sat upon the seat of Moses and taught with authority. They were entrusted with God’s Law, the temple, liturgical sacrifices, and the spiritual upbringing of the people of Israel.
Nevertheless, they did not own the vineyard for their role was to tend to it on behalf of the landowner. They forfeited their authority for they used it as their own personal property and proceeded to refuse to heed the warning of the prophets and even put the Son of God to death.
In stating that the Kingdom will be “taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit” the Lord is referring to a transfer of sacred office. Leadership was given to the twelve Apostles with Peter as chief steward to watch over the Church.
The Old Covenant had a priesthood with a visible hierarchy and sacrificial worship. The New Covenant establishes a visible Church with bishops who are successors to the Apostles who act as the new stewards of the mysteries of God. As the people of God who make up this vineyard we must remain united to them.
St. Ignatius of Antioch professed this, “Let no one do anything that pertains to the Church without the bishop. Let that Eucharist be considered valid which is celebrated by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
Bishops and priests are now the tenants of this vineyard. They must remain on guard against clericalism where the faith becomes self-serving and true faith fails to be taught. To act in such a manner is to bring judgment upon self just like those original stewards had done.
The authority of the Church is to bring forth “fruit.” Such “fruit” is that of holiness, charity, and the truth of Christ being made manifest for He is the true owner of this vineyard. If such is not being made manifest in the life of the faithful this is not the failure of the Church, but the tenants who have been tasked with watching over it.
The vineyard is the people of God. It was the purpose of religious authority in the Old Covenant as well as the Church today to cultivate the people in order that they may pursue holiness and love for God.
The Church is made up of the entire body of believers who are bound together in Christ. Every member of the Church shares the responsibility to bear “good fruit.” This is not limited to clergy alone, but is for all the baptized.
In order to pursue such holiness, we have been given the sacraments which act as channels of grace. We can never bear “good fruit” if it does not come from Christ as its origin. We are not to be self-serving with everything done for our own benefit, but for the glory of God from whom all grace flows.
Let us remain in communion with the unity of faith and thus produce a rich harvest of charity and truth.
