“The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”
(Isaiah 5:7)

On this autumn weekend, God’s word reminds us that the world is a marvelous vineyard, a beautiful garden overflowing with good things. It also reminds us that we are merely tenants and are here on earth for a short while. In this brief life, we are charged with the task of taking care of the gifts entrusted to us.

The popular spiritual writer, Fr. John Powell, S.J., once wrote: “God sends each person into this world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing for others, with a special act of love to bestow. … The greatest gift of God, I would think, is the gift of life. The greatest sin of humans, it would seem, would be to return that gift, ungratefully and unopened.”

Everything we are and have comes from God. As we ask you this week to consider some service to the parish or community, here is a question to ponder: What do I do with the gifts God has given to me?

Right to Life — Voting No on Proposal 2
October is Right to Life Month, and as you know, we commit ourselves to protect and defend human life from conception until natural death. This year on November 4th, the citizens of Michigan are faced with an important decision. Proposal 2 seeks to amend the Michigan Constitution “to address human embryo and embryonic stem cell research.” In effect, it would make legal the unregulated destruction of human embryos, something that is morally unacceptable.

Today’s gospel parable reminds us that we will all be called to accountability for how we use our gifts and resources. Adult stem cell research has been a positive blessing for many people and has opened doors for the healing of many chronic diseases. Stem cell research, when it involves adult stem cells, is an example of good stewardship. On the other hand, embryonic stem cell research involves the creation and then destruction of human life. This is an example of poor moral stewardship.

In our gospel parable, Jesus quotes Psalm 118: “The stone rejected by the builders becomes the cornerstone.” Embryonic stems cells could be compared with the “stone rejected.” We are reminded that something that seems insignificant or unimportant in terms of our human judgment, from God’s perspective, can be most valuable and vital. All that God creates radiates goodness and beauty. We must be good stewards of these gifts and protect the most vulnerable nascent life. Please spread the word and vote NO on Proposal 2 this November.

–Fr. Mike Verscheave