The Economist, an influential paper from London, recently ran a special investigation about the quest to “defeat aging” – a report based on optimism that technology can be more powerful than death – and real money is being spent on this research – to conquer and control death. To make it optional – let us live long and longer – potentially indefinitely.
While this is primarily fanciful thinking – no breakthrough has happened – While there have been significant medical breakthroughs for acute illness and trauma massively increasing average life expectancy - the longest-lived are about the same age today as throughout history – nothing has stopped aging - but even if it is possible - is this actually good? – on the one hand, death is evil – and our medical technology to help heal is worth researching and improving – on the other, is conquering death actually towards the good? Is living forever on this earth with all the weakness and sin actually desirable? – There is a reason Tolkien referred to the “gift of death” – we long for something other than this world.
Of course, there have been attempts to bring about a utopia that does not have the problem of sin - to make now what we long for under the theory that one simply has to get the precise structures and systems – the right politics and economics – Communism gave such a promise- but it had no answer for sin – and only brought harm and evil – Attempts to master the problem of sin.
Rather than politics and economics, others see the solution in technology -We rightfully look for ways to make the world better – and technology is useful – But some think technology can be used to enhance the human person – and not just physically. One academic paper I read thought that new gene theory and the use of psychedelic drugs could be used to make people more moral to solve the problems of crime – It read like a science fiction dystopia – Humans reduced to worse robots with their humanity removed – an awful world with freedom destroyed. It was not the defeat of sin – but the slavery of the human person – Even if the goal is not so extreme – just physically to make someone better at their job – it is still actually reducing the human person for a great reflection on this one can read CS Lewis The Abolition of Man.
All of these are attempts to master – control – to make for ourselves the kingdom – Taking what we want – in doing so, we are not that different than some tenants in a vineyard.
The parable in the gospel provides an allegory of salvation history – the house of Isreal is cultivated by God – the vineyard – and the people of Isreal are called to work in it. To guide the people, prophets are sent – but they are beaten, ignored, seized, and killed – Just look at how the prophets in the Old Testament are treated – but the house of Isreal continues to turn from God – a constant throughout history – and God still wishes to reach them –and ultimately God sends Christ – But what do the tenants of the vineyard do? – seize and kill him – a foreshadowing of what was to come!
Why did they seize the son? – “Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.” – The tenants are looking to seize the inherence and claim the vineyard for themselves. It is not enough to be in the vineyard – to be in the house of Isreal – the Kingdom of God – They attempt to seize it – They want to master the vineyard and be in control - in the famous words often attributed to Satan – Non-Serviam – “I will not serve!” – Seeking mastery and power to solve problems – not that different than attempts to master with politics, economics, or technology.
But it is here that the paradox of the parable is found – That inherence that the tenants are trying to seize? - God wants to give the inheritance!
By baptism, we are made children of God –in the words of St Paul – “if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” – The kingdom is given as a gift – we are welcomed into the vineyard – we are called to be one in Christ – The inference was the tenants if only they would accept - … - The tenants declared Non-Serviam – and sought to take the inherence – and as such will be tossed out.
Death, Sin, Human weakness? – Technology will never be the answer – our attempts to defeat, master, and control only leads to slavery – It is no different than the tenants trying to seize the inheritance - But there is an answer – Christ- by is death, resurrection, and ascension has defeated sin and death – opening the way to heaven – But it cannot be claimed and taken – only accepted as a gift! –
Gifts are not always easy to accept - it involves humility, admitting our sin – going to the confessional to receive forgiveness – admitting weakness, and giving praise to the one who has given us so much - but it is the way to salvation – to heaven - Can we accept the gift?