Empty We Came and Empty We shall Return.

Homily for June 4, 2018.


“What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others.” Mark 12:9.
 
There is the story of a man who went into a restaurant and upon noticing a black man sitting at the corner decided for no reason to provoke the man. He ordered for drinks for everybody in the restaurant except for this black man thinking he would feel bad. When he did this over and over again and the black man did not seem to lose his calm, he went to the waiter and whispered: “What is the matter with that man over there?” And in response, she said to him: “Sir, that man is the owner of this restaurant.”

Oh, if only this man knew… if only he knew that the person he was trying to provoke was beyond him… if only he knew who he was!

Like the tenants in the parable, who obviously forgot they were nothing more than tenants, we often forget our true identity. We forget that this world does not belong to us. We forget that there is nothing we can do to change the fact that naked we came to this world and naked we shall return.

The tenants not only failed to give the produce of the land, they wounded those sent to them by the Landlord. This is very sad. For those of us who are landlords or have hired certain properties out, we can only imagine the pain and frustration you feel when you are not getting back your returns.

Now, imagine how God feels when we do not employ our talents in his service. Imagine how God feels when we live our lives as if He doesn’t exist. Imagine how futile it will be for your tenant to suddenly claim ownership of your property. This is the futility of building empires here on earth forgetting that we are going to give an account of our lives.

Knowing that we are tenants should not only teach us humility, it should also teach us how to relate to our fellow tenants on earth. Why create enemies for ourselves when we are all going to die someday? Why make life difficult for others when our very lives are at the mercy of God? Why do we fail to share our goods with those who lack when we are not going to take anything with us when we die?

On the other hand, knowing that we are only tenants on earth should teach us not to take life too seriously. I mean, why do we carry worries in our minds all day and night when we would still have to depart from this world at the end? Taking life less seriously entails that we constantly let go of past hurts and pains; we just have to forgive people and move on as if nothing happened. Pursuing justice at all costs, wishing bad things to happen to others, working hard just to see people cry will not bring us happiness in the long run.

Life is too short a time to be spent fighting, hating or mourning. Life is meant to be enjoyed and the key to such enjoyment is inner peace; that which comes from knowing God, serving him and loving as he did. St. Peter in today’s first reading recommends certain qualities we must have which include: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and on top of all that, we must add Love.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I never forget I am just a tenant and that I must give an account of my stewardship. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2nd Peter 1:2-7, Psalm 91:1-16, Mark 12:1-12).


(The audio version of this message is contained in the “Be Happy, Live Positive” App).

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