Faithful to the One who invites us to carefully tend His vine
“To Yahweh belong the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live there; it is he who laid its foundations on the seas, on the flowing waters fixed it firm.” (Psalm 24:1-2) However, God has entrusted His creation to humanity, asking us to take care of this planet and everything on it. Each person has a unique calling that converges toward a common goal for all of humanity to thrive and prosper in life “so that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
To Saint Joseph, God entrusted Mary, the person chosen to bring Jesus into the world – He who is the very Life of our world. Once he consented, Joseph did not shrink from any sacrifice. He faithfully tended God’s vine. He nurtured God’s gift and brought it to maturity to be the wine of salvation for all people throughout the ages.
During this Novena, we come to pray for this world that is suffering and groaning in its labour pains (Romans 8:22). We come to pray for those dear to us and for ourselves, often lacking in direction, ill and in search of a better life. Despite our destitution, God is asking us today to make this life better for our loved ones and for this planet that we live on so that it may continue to be habitable for us and for the generations to come.
Let us not be neglectful or even murderous tenders of the vine (Matthew 21:33-46) who sow destruction. As He did with Joseph and His friend, Brother André, God is inviting us to faithfully tend His vine so that its fine wine may bring joy to the heart of our world.
