The 20th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 22A), Oct. 2, 2005

BCP: Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80 or 80:7-14; Phil. 3:14-21; Matt. 21:33-43

RCL: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 or Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 19 or Psalm 80:7-14; Phil. 3:4b-14; Matt. 21:33-46

The lessons for today tell how God wants us to order our ways and find his blessing. The theme is clear: “Go to Mauritania and start an effort there which will result in a vibrant church.”

You know — Mauritania. That huge land mass just south of Western Sahara, west of Mali and north of Senegal. Does that help? A land of 2.7 million people and almost all (99 percent) Muslim. Seeing a church get started there is the Lord’s priority for the Church. That will place his blessing above us and within us.

That’s what the lessons tell us. Here’s how:

God likens Israel to a vineyard. That imagery pervades all the lessons. In the Lord’s parable the owner expects to see his vineyard produce fruit, a harvest. That figures. A vineyard is not like a mass of morning glories which displays great beauty and color. A vineyard is for grapes, for bottles of juice and wine.

The Church, as the vineyard, receives a charge, the expectation of the Lord of the vineyard — “Produce a harvest!” God wants the Church to take what he has given — grace and the Holy Spirit — and bring in a harvest. That means telling others the good news so they can enter his kingdom.

There is one added piece. If the Church fails to bring a harvest, the Church will face judgment. Jesus doesn’t use that word, but his description gives definition to the term. “I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit” (Matt. 21:41).

That’s why the effort to plant churches in Mauritania will bring blessing. But why Mauritania? It has no strategic value, no terrorists’ camps, no oil, not even an undecided primate, just a huge population which doesn’t know about Christ.

Mauritania represents neglect. Search for Anglican missionaries there, Anglican churches, Anglican short-term trips, Anglican plans for mission there. Search — and go fish! Nothing. Mauritania represents the harvest we have refused. God will walk away from us. Or we can repent and start work there (Matt. 21:43).

The issue about Mauritania increases in importance because it is not our issue. We know other issues (mainly one), but those are not about the vineyard and the harvest. The harvest of the vineyard is the Lord’s first priority. The others are second, or maybe third, maybe even 12th. But this is first. Mauritania, and places like it, mark the path to God’s blessing upon our Church.

Look It Up

How do the conclusions of the gospels reinforce the priority of the Church and its harvest?

Think About It

Check out the culture, the lifestyles, and the history of Mauritania. What is there that endears its people to the Lord — and could endear them to us?

Next Sunday

The 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23A), Oct. 9, 2005

BCP: Isaiah 25:1-9; Psalm 23; Phil. 4:4-13; Matt. 22:1-14

RCL: Exodus 32:1-14 or Isaiah 25:1-9; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; or Psalm 23; Phil. 4:1-9; Matt. 22:1-14