The image of the vineyard features prominently once again in our readings this Sunday. Who owns the vineyard in which we live today? In baptism we were consecrated to the Lord, with the cross being traced on our foreheads as the mark of God’s ownership over us. If the Lord came unexpectedly for us today, to claim what is His, would we feel anguished and resist, or would we say, “Lord, all I have and all I am is yours”? Today’s Gospel challenges us to reflect on this prospect, and to pray for the grace to submit more fully to God’s will in our lives.      Fr John