Thoughts that came out of our bible study group tonight (http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100211.cfm):
We are asked to 'die to self' in order to participate in God's plan of salvation. Sunday's readings focus on the vineyard where the vineyard owner (God) puts everything in place to grow a fruitful harvest. But the problem is the tenants (us) who can become greedy, while at the same time denying God's freely given gifts (unlimited use of the vineyard [God's blessings and grace]). In the Gospel reading, the tenants beat up the servants of the vineyard owner, escalating to the death of the vineyard owner's son (Jesus), in their misguided attempt to gain the vineyard.
The reflections suggested that we must die to self so that the fruits of God's vineyard can grow in us. It was suggested that we can die to self in many ways. I had always associated the concept as a grand gesture, where the sacrifice was truly noble or impressive or perhaps really hard or painful. But tonight, in the course of our discussion, it became apparent that we can die to self in small ways, too. For example, there are times when it would be so much easier to stay home instead of attending Bible Study. But when I make the effort to attend, even though I would rather not, I am dying to self, thus participating in God's vineyard.
More to come . . .
