The parable of the tenants (Matthew 21: 33-46) reminds ourselves of our giftedness on the one hand, and on the other, it reminds us of our unwillingness, waywardness, and rebellion.
Recently I read a very liberating thought, which goes like this, sometimes in our lives, we go though challenges, difficulties, confusion, the situation seems so dark, and we feel that we are buried in the deep; but actually we re planted. We are planted to sprout, grow, bloom and bear fruit. And those of us who realise it fall on our knees in gratitude.
On the other end of the spectrum, in the light of the gospel today, we know that we are planted, protected with a fence around, watered, supported, and given sun and rain; but we malevolently fail to acknowledge the giver. We do not express gratitude and appreciation for what is given to us. Gratitude studies prove that people who are grateful are less aggressive; now we understand why are thee people so aggressive, violent, even to the extant of killing. If we are grateful we will not only be less aggressive, there are fewer chances of suicide tendencies, and are more productive.
The literal opposite of being grateful may be ingratitude or non-thankfulness, etc. but actually the opposite of gratitude is entitlement. I am here and everything around me must serve my ends. It creates a sense of claim, prerogative, and privilege. The workers in the vineyard were not grateful, and the rest just followed.
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