“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.”
Matthew 21:42
Are you among those from whom the Kingdom of God will be taken
away? Or among those to whom it will be given so as to produce good
fruit? This is an important question to sincerely answer.
The first grouping of people, those who will have the Kingdom of
God taken away from them, are represented in this parable by the
tenants of the vineyard. It is clear that one of their greatest
sins is greed. They are selfish. They see the vineyard as a place
through which they can enrich themselves and care little about the
good of others. Sadly, this mind frame is easy to adopt in our own
lives. It’s easy to see life as a series of opportunities for us to
“get ahead.” It’s easy to approach life in a way that we are
constantly looking out for ourselves rather than sincerely seeking
the good of others.
The second grouping of people, those to whom the Kingdom of God
will be given so that it will produce good fruit, are those who
understand that the central purpose of life is not to simply enrich
themselves but to share the love of God with others. These are the
people who are constantly looking for ways that they can be a true
blessing to others. It’s the difference between selfishness and
generosity.
But the generosity to which we are primarily called is to build up
the Kingdom of God. This is done through works of charity, but it
must be a charity that is motivated by the Gospel and has the
Gospel as its ultimate end. Caring for the needy, teaching, serving
and the like are all good only when Christ is the motivation and
end goal. Our lives must make Jesus more known and loved, more
understood and followed. In fact, even if we were to feed a
multitude of people in poverty, care for those who were sick, or
visit those who were lonely, but did it for reasons other than to
ultimately share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then our work would
not produce the good fruit of building up the Kingdom of Heaven. In
that case, we would only be philanthropists rather than
missionaries of the love of God.
Reflect, today, upon the mission given to you by our Lord to
produce an abundance of good fruit for the upbuilding of His
Kingdom. Know that this can only be accomplished by prayerfully
seeking out the way God is inspiring you to act. Seek to serve His
will alone so that all you do will be for God’s glory and the
salvation of souls.
My glorious King, I pray that Your Kingdom will grow and that
many souls will come to know You as their Lord and God. Use me,
dear Lord, for the upbuilding of that Kingdom and help all my
actions in life to bear abundant and good fruit. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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Featured image above: Parable of the wicked husbandmen By
Marten van Valckenborch
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