A new song for sour grapes

We all live with some disappointment. Songs, ballads and poems recount lost loves, dashed hopes and, broken friendships.
We hope for so much. Our families disappoint us, the Church, and even our expectation of God. In this Sundays Old Testament text, Isaiah sings us a song from God; the song of the vineyard. Its rather like a love song, with a bitter lover, (the vineyard owner) lamenting how he has been disappointed by his true love.

The song starts with a light, joyful tone. It ends on a harsh note. The singer expected justice, but found bloodshed; integrity, but only a cry of distress. The sour grapes that disappoint God come from the vines, who are the Lords own. We could describe these sour grapes as the fruits of our collective and communal acts of injustice. Look at what ends the vine workers in the Gospel will go to secure their possession and way of working of the vineyard. Murder, violence and deceit.  The Owner of the Vineyard is just, good, and fair. Which is not always the case. The warning of Jesus rings out down the millennia. Don’t lay waste to the Earth. God’s creation, don’t lay waste to your inheritance, your faith your loved ones. Act now. We all need to ask ourselves what part do I play in Gods disappointment. There is a sadness, a lament in our scriptures today. A sadness rooted in my greed, fear and lack of Love.

There is a new song to be sung everyday. A Hymn of Praise to God and His creation. A song of salvation celebrating the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This Christ, the true vine, to whom through baptism we are grafted onto and nourished by. It’s a song that we need. A song of patient, healing and faithful Love. A song without end.
​
Mgr Jim

Volunteers: we are looking for new volunteers to help cleaning the church on a Friday evening at 5.00pm. If you think you can help be in touch with the parish office. [email protected]

Cafod: October 2nd was the Harvest Fast day. If you would like to support the Cafod Corona Virus Appeal you can use the envelopes available at the back of the Church or make a contribution to the Cafod collection.  cafod.org.uk/give 
​