VALUABLE GIFT

 

One evening, an elderly man told his grandson, "I want you to have something." Reaching into his desk, he pulled out a gleaming gold pocket watch, engraved with his initials. "I'm not always going to be around, so take this to remember me."

The boy took it, said, "Thanks, Grandpa!" and ran home. Sadly, he didn't understand how valuable this gift was, and sold it a few days later to buy his favorite video game.

We could never think of treating a precious gift like this—but what about our faith? That's the point behind today's Gospel reading (Mt 21:33-46). The Pharisees were entrusted with the priceless gift of God's law, but many of them didn't value this gift. Instead of leading Israel to righteousness, they used the Law to promote themselves and their positions of power. So, when Jesus came, they had no room in their hearts for his message.

Jesus gave us something very special—his own life, planted deep in our hearts. He wants us to embrace that life so that we can bear fruit for his kingdom. But like the owner of the vineyard, he won't force himself on us. He leaves it up to us to choose if we will nurture our faith or trade it for something else.

Most of us don't decide one day that we're not going to follow Jesus anymore. It's usually in the simple decisions of our lives that we grow closer to him or move further away. Today, look for chances to be a disciple. Take time to pray in the morning, help someone when you'd rather be doing something else, or simply smile when you're upset. These are God's ways of giving you another chance to grow closer to him—and to bear fruit that reveals his glory.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children. Give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.