27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Written by Emilie Berard
Growing up in a Cajun family, two things were important: family and food. My mom is one of six and my dad is one of ten, so I have many aunts and uncles and a whole lot of cousins. Potluck-style meals were a staple at the family functions because no one person could cook enough food for everyone; it would just be too much. This led to everyone having a specialty dish like my dad’s cornbread dressing, my aunt’s green bean casserole, and my cousin’s sweet potato crunch. Everyone brought their best dish to share with the family. If at my family’s get-togethers, we all brought the turkey, 2 things would happen:
1. Not everybody’s turkey would be tasty because my aunt on my mom’s side is the only person who can make a turkey that is not dry.
2. We would miss out on all the side dishes that are so very good when made by the individuals who specialize in that dish.
What makes the pot-luck so amazing is everyone is showing up with their gifts and talents to create an amazing meal. That’s really how we should look at life--one big pot-luck.
This week’s Responsorial Psalm describes a vineyard being created and then the walls are broken down once the vineyard is ready. God created this vineyard that the narrator then worries about once the walls have been broken down. The vineyard is the gift God has created within us. Follow me here… God has given us gifts and talents that we can use to help one another. I see the vineyard as our gift that we have to take the time to cultivate and grow--and when ready--share the fruits with the people around us in our community. God has created us uniquely and wonderfully with intention. He has given us different gifts that allow us as a community to have our needs met by working together.
It is through prayer that we can come to know God’s plan for each of us and understand our individual gifts that we can bring to this big pot-luck meal that is life. During this week, let us take special time to think about the gifts and talents God has given us. What is your gift? Where is God trying to transplant you in order to grow and share your talents?
Emilie Berard has walked with God in various capacities including volunteering and working for the Diocese of Lafayette for several years. She is married to her wonderful husband, Chris, and together they strive to grow their marriage to be faith-filled. She would like to invite you to check out the National Eucharistic Revival. You can find her on Instagram.
Pray with today’s psalm.