Essays of Renaldo Visione - The Vineyard and Lamp Oil

rvisione · Newbie Joined: Nov 09, 2005 Posts: 11 Status: **Offline**

The Vineyard and Lamp Oil

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the owner of an estate (Matthew 20:1-16). Jesus said, â€œThe reign of God is like the case of the owner of an estate who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.â€ The parable related how the owner went out at different times during the day and found idle men to hire. At the end of the day, he paid each worker the same amount, regardless of the time of day each man began their service. The parable ended, â€œThus the last shall be first and the first shall be last.â€ (Matthew 20:16)

And there in is the explanation of Godâ€™s love. Whether it is the first hour or the last, God invites us into His vineyard, invites us to be with Him, yet, it is our choice whether we go and do His will. It is our choice and what choice shall we make?

What we must face is that as humans, wherever we are in our lives, we have and will sin. Daily, we make the choice of what we do. Many times we make the choice to avoid sin; many times we make the choice to succumb to sin. We are not helpless in our choices, but we are weak.

We know we sin, and yet we continue to sin. In the morning I wake up and tell myself that I will turn my back on sin. Despite my best intentions, a day does not go by where I do not commit some sin. Why do I succumb to what I know will be displeasing to God? Why is it that I can not seem to help myself? With this weakness then, isnâ€™t it a blessing that God continues to invite us to Him despite our sin? Isnâ€™t it a blessing that He offers us His forgiveness? Isnâ€™t it a blessing that we are asked to His vineyard?

But there is another parable. It is the parable of the virgins waiting for the bridegroom before the wedding feast (Matthew 25:1-13). The foolish girls of the group failed to bring an extra measure of oil for their lamps. While the maidens waited for the bridegroom, who was delayed in his journey, the foolish girls used up their oil. They had to go out to purchase more, but while they were gone, the groom came. The prudent girls who had brought an extra measure of oil were prepared to receive the groom when he finally arrived. When the foolish girls returned, they were too late and were locked out of the feast.

And so it is important to understand both the vineyard and the lamp oil. Yes, it is a blessing that God makes His vineyard open to me; and it does not matter the hour when I am found and I am invited; but am I prepared to respond to His call? Have I prepared myself with an extra measure of oil? Will I be part of the foolish that are not prepared when He comes?

The parable tells us clearly, â€œBe on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.â€ (Matthew 25:13). It is His forgiveness that allows those such as me the chance to enter His vineyard. It is my foolishness that may prevent me from hearing the invitation and responding to His call.

Each day, salvation may be gained. Each day, salvation may be lost. It is through Godâ€™s forgiveness that my salvation is possible. Each day I must try harder to live as God expects me. I am not worthy of the Lord, but He only needs to say the word and my soul will be healed; my sins will be washed away.

In the end, it is His forgiveness that invites us to the vineyard. It is His forgiveness that will be the oil in our lamps to light our way. It is His forgiveness that will allow us to be inside when the door to the wedding feast is closed. It is His forgiveness that is our salvation.

Renaldo Visione

Â© by Renaldo Visione, all rights reserved. Printed at the Guardian Angel Store with permission.

Anonymous · Guest

I would like to thank you! Your posts are great and help me in my own reflections. I try to check these forums and a few other daily. I spend the time to read the daily gospel and see what others are thinking. I feel that sometimes God speaks to me through others, and often times I find when I am reading posts such as these it usually ties in with something I am experiencing in everyday life. I am not a writer (in fact I hate to write), but I think I want to begin posting.

Please continue to inspire us all with your words and God Bless!

rvisione · Newbie Joined: Nov 09, 2005 Posts: 11 Status: **Offline**

To the previous poster,

Thank you for your kind words.

Actually, I have always struggled with writing. Still, it is something I have used to help me reflect, to help me remember something I have heard or read, some concept that simply enters my mind. It simply helps me to reflect on the meaning of word of our Lord. I may have to revisit my essay several times, and each time I revisit it, it just seems to help me that much more.

Thank you for reading. It feels good to share.

Renaldo Visione