Love your neighbor. It sounds so simple. Yet it is not always east to accomplish. Many things get in the way of taking this commandment to heart. Sometimes, it is things that get in the way, but more often, we get in the way. We tend to see things through our own perspective, rather than considering the other person's point of view. In our interactions with others, we often fail to truly listen, focusing instead on our next response or point to be made. We say we love our neighbor, right up to the point at which doing so requires some sacrifice of time, attention, or financial support, and then suddenly, a thousand reasons for keeping to ourselves emerge. Jesus knew this when he summed up the greatest commandments of loving God and neighbor. Notice when he said about this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

It is a scene that could be taken from the daily news feed. A young upstart is confronted by two established leaders. While holding opposing views on many issues, the two band together in an attempt to trap the newcomer. This is not a start from the daily news, however. The newcomer is Jesus in today's Gospel passage. The two established leaders, one a Pharisee and the other a Herodian, think they can trap Jesus by posing a question about the payment of taxes. No matter how he might respond to their questions, they would have the means to discredit him. Jesus sees through their hypocrisy and does not fall into their trap. His response gets at the hears of what is truly important: "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

Our readings this week speak of God's promises and their fulfillment, all in different ways. Isaiah presents a feast set in the future and hosted by God. Here the participants witness the astonishing generosity of God. At the feast, God gives the ultimate gift, the destruction of death itself. Saint Paul, confident in the fulfillment of God's abundant promises, urges the Philippians to live in gratitude and patience. Today's Gospel, however, is more challenging for us to hear. While announcing God's generous invitation, Jesus also describes, in dramatic imagery, how people may reject the invitation. Matthew reminded the early church of the need to recognize God's summons and be prepared to participate fully in God's banquet. This complex and unsettling parable invites our reflection on the nature of God's invitation and our response.

Vineyards were an essential part of the economy of Israel during the times of Isaiah and Jesus. Vineyard owners had the difficult challenge of producing a rich harvest. Our readings from Isaiah and Matthew describe God and God's creation in terms of the business of vineyards. The two stories are closely linked, as Jesus borrowed and adapted his parable from Isaiah. Using this rich imagery, we can see the vineyard as all the places of God's creation and ongoing work.