Reflection 27th Sunday: Perdurance

Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

I learn a new word this week. 

The word is perdurance. It means permanence. It means lasting forever. Pedurance is being persistent and enduring through time. Something that keeps its identity even though things are working against it.

Why did God give me word?

Maybe it is because; I have so much to do. I read professional business journals and spiritual books.  I try to do what my job expects and what God wants me to do. I didn’t learn that word in a business book; I learned that word in a theology book. But we need perdurance in all parts of our lives.

I was talking to a person about his business practices. As he hires new employees, they bring all their ideas to work with them. Unless he has a persistent and enduring message that he gives in training, discipline, and affirmation, his company will change with the baggage the new employees bring. His company must have perdurance.

Perdurance is what's missing in a couple of our readings today.

Isaiah writes about the vineyard God planted. God planted it and fed it with his presence; but it went wild. The people of Israel looked at the ungodly around them and liked it. They worshiped idols. They didn’t follow God’s direction. Israel wanted to be in God’s vineyard, safe, protected and taken care of by God; but, they wanted to be there by the rules they made up. They abandoned that permanence that God had given them.  Israel didn't persist in what God asked. They didn't endure in their faithfulness. In punishment, God abandoned protection of Israel. Israel was conquered, destroyed, and the people scattered.

Jesus tells a similar parable. To have a good vineyard, the vineyard owner had tenants to take care of the vines. They tenants became greedy and decided they wanted the fruit for themselves. God sent his servant, his prophets, and even his son to set the tenants straight. The rebellious tenants beat them, stoned them, and killed even the son. The people did not endure in what God asked of them. They did not want God’s way; they wanted their own way.

Paul tells the Philippians “Keep on doing what you have learned.” That’s perdurance. They must follow what you have been taught and stay true to the Gospel. If they do this, you will not have to worry. You will have joy and love. You will find the peace of God.

Paul is saying the same thing I told that business owner; but, about faith.

We should listed to these words. The world made up of the “what’s important to me” ideas, ever sinking morals, and influences of the media are wild grapes. Pretty soon, we become like the tenants of the vineyard, not wanting to give God the fruitfulness of our lives. All we know is greediness; what we want. We are not persistent in our faith. We are not enduring in what God asks of us. We loose the permanence.

Through prayer, we are given a better understanding of God’s unchanging truth. But, the Gospel does not change. God has not and does not change, forever.

As I said earlier, I am always busy. Sometimes, my wife says. “You read too much;” or, “You’ve been to four masses this weekend, God would understand if you missed your prayers.”

I say my prayers because a strong loving relationship requires persistence and endurance. It requires that I get rid of all that is not true God. That’s perdurance. It's hard to realize in our humanity; but, it’s a simple request.

After all, God’s love for us has perdurance, forever.