The stories in the Scriptures might seem to be rather unrelated to us. How many of us own a vineyard or live in Israel? Well, these literal connections may not exist in our personal lives, but their meanings certainly do. In many ways the Church or our families are our vineyard. In many ways our children are our fruit.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard from parents who have told me how their children have rejected the faith of their heritage. They were raised Catholic, but something just didn’t happen. As Isaiah lamented in our first reading, similarly I can hear these parents say, “What more was there to do for my children that I had not done?” It’s as if they created a fertile vineyard from which their children could ripen, but somehow they became wild and sour. What happened?

I would like to propose that many things have happened. But, I would like to reflect on just one. That one involves the faith formation of our parish. It involves the faith formation of our children, teens, and adults. We have begun a process in which the field of our parish has been prepared for the planting of a new vineyard. We are about to begin the new year and once again plant new grapes of faith.

However, this is nothing new for us. We’ve been doing this for years. Yes. But, we have also been getting too many sour grapes. The Gospel is reminding us that God has done so much for us, indeed he has repeatedly sent his messengers, his prophets to us, and we have over and over again rejected them. Even then, God did not give up. He even sent his Son. And even after death, His Son, who was murdered unjustly, still today invites us to him.

Now it’s not like you or me have outright rejected him. I don’t imagine many of us have literally denounced Jesus as our Savior. But, maybe it’s more subtle. Maybe some of us have never even accepted him. Maybe some of us have never spoken the words that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Maybe we have become too self conscious to even utter the name of Jesus in our conversations. Maybe some of us have become a bit too comfortable or lazy and have become satisfied with good enough. Know that your children see this. And when we have turned our faith into an empty or lukewarm mechanistic religious piety, our children learn the same.

As we begin this new year, GIFT, formerly called Religious Education is starting up. Youth ministry for our junior and high school is also ramping up. Our Newman ministry for our college-aged students is beginning. Finally, we’re in the planning stages to beginning some adult faith formation/education opportunities here at St. Anthony’s. Our staff have been very busy at work planning, gathering ideas, listening to suggestions. Some of you have also stepped forward to become part of these events and help make them happen. That’s great. Yet, some have also decided that they will not get involved. Some have decided that it would be better to let others do the work. Some have already become over involved in other activities and they have left no room for any growth opportunities in their faith. Some may feel that our offerings are not compelling enough to rearrange their schedules in order to be present. All of these things I see as challenges, challenges to tending the vineyard of our parish and our families.

We have present in our parish incredible talent and amazing grapes! God has been the giver of those gifts and fruit. The question before us is not if God is calling you, but how is God calling you to be part of your family called St. Anthony’s. We are all being called to get involved. We are all being called to offer what ever talents God has stamped into our beings. And if we all choose to listen and obey, then our greatest hopes and dreams as a parish will become reality. But if we don’t, then we are the one’s who are responsible for the dissolution of our children’s faith. We must recapture our Catholic heritage and culture. Too often parents feel pressured by their children who say they don’t like going to Mass or religious education or youth group. Too often parents have abdicated their responsibilities and have made these activities options. They have forgotten or maybe didn’t even know that such issues were developmental. Imagine an environment where “everyone is doing it,” that is being involved in their Church. Parents would have a stronger support structure and our faith offerings would be more compelling.

But, maybe you’ve been burned. Maybe you’ve overworked yourself. God then is calling you to moderate how much and where you involve yourself. If you are a parent, your responsibility is to fulfill your promises that you made at your children’s baptism, that is to raise them in the faith. That responsibility doesn’t end when it becomes difficult or when sports become more attractive. In fact, like never before, our culture is setting up our children, our parents, and our coaches to disorder the things that are most important. Don’t be duped. Don’t let the fruit of your lives, your children be misled into busyness and entertainment and away from Christ. Remember the words from Paul:

Sports and school activities are wonderful. They are hopefully striving to help strengthen and mature your children into productive adults. But, what is more true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious than our Lord? So, the question I have for you is this. Have you enrolled your child in our GIFT program or Life Teen ministry? Are you planning to participate in our adult faith formation offerings in order to educate yourself. Your children will inevitably ask of you about the faith. Are you prepared? Could you share your heart about the importance of Christ in your life? If not, there is no more time to waste. Do it now. Get yourself involved with helping yourself and grow in wisdom and knowledge of the faith so you can lead your children by word and example.

With all of us united in doing what we have learned and received and heard and received from our Lord, then the God of Peace will be with us. Then the vineyard of our parish and our families will be ripe and ready for the harvest. So now, choose to be part of the harvest!