Whose vineyard is it? – Primate Bishop Anthony Mikovsky on the gifts entrusted to us

In Jesus’ parable about the wicked vineyard workers, He presents people who have forgotten that the vineyard does not belong to them. Archbishop Anthony Mikovsky’s reflection invites us to examine both in the Church and in our own lives: what do we do with what we have received from God?

The owner planted a vineyard, fenced it in, dug a winepress, and built a watchtower. He prepared everything so that the vineyard would bear fruit. However, when he sent his servants to collect the fruit, the workers abused and killed them. Finally, they also killed the owner’s son, thinking they could seize the inheritance. At the end of the parable, Jesus declares: The kingdom of God will be given to a people who produce its fruit (Mt 21:33–43).

In his reflection published on September 24, Archbishop Anthony Mikovsky points out that Jesus’ words were first addressed to the religious leaders who opposed Him. They knew the image of the vineyard from Scripture and were familiar with the fate of the prophets. However, the parable cannot remain merely a story about them. It also questions us.

Our life, our family, our community, and the Church are all gifts entrusted to us. We can work in them, build and care for them, but we cannot consider them our own property. This is a particularly important warning for those who have received service or responsibility in the Church. The community is not for us to possess: God entrusted it to us so that His kingdom may bear fruit within it.

What is this fruit? Following Apostle Paul, Archbishop Mikovsky recalls the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These inner gifts must become visible actions: in conversion, mercy, service to others, and the spreading of the good news of Christ.

The tragedy of the vineyard workers was that they no longer recognized the owner. Therefore, we must repeatedly ask ourselves: when we speak about the Church, our service, or our achievements, do we still remember from whom we received all this?

The vineyard belongs to God. We are called to care for it and to produce fruit in it that others may also share.