As we begin the first week of Renew 2002 we focus on that sign of faith with which we usually begin and end all our prayers; the Trinitarian image of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three individuals, three persons distinct yet united and bonded together in intimate relationship, unable and unwilling to act except in consort.

Does the way that we name God and think about those names affect how we relate to God and to one another? In order to grow spiritually we need to examine our experience of God in the various modalities of the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit gathers us together as community of faith to be fed at the tables of Jesus' word and Eucharist. St. Paul reminds us that we bring our prayers, requests and petitions, even at times our fears and resentments before the Father who is filled with love for us.

We need only to maintain this relationship with God each and every day with a prayerful choice no matter how difficult. As we reflect on today's readings we find that support supplied not only by direct intervention of heaven, but in solidarity with all members of our church.

The vineyard in today's scripture is symbolic of God's community--his relationship with individuals and groups, whether as small as families, a circle of friends, a study group or a large cathedral gathered at worship. However large or small, it is expected to bear good fruit.

But that doesn't always happen. God's Eden is still struggling to bloom, but the fruits of evil still pervade it. The wild and sour grapes are products of seeds of injustice and violence where people are isolated, ignored, or alienated. Violence occurs where people do not feel loved and accepted; where their voices are not heard and they cannot communicate their feelings. Where they do not feel enabled and supported by their fellow parishioners and clergy to become all that God has called them to be.

When our jobs, our priorities, our commitments become more important than our relationships with our spouse, children, fellow citizens and parishioners; we are participating in acts of injustice which propagate feelings that blossom into violence like road rage. God's Eden will only find fulfillment when we, like our first parents, recognize the presence of God walking with us--even within us. As we learn to live in loving relationships, we can begin to recognize the full potential of the garden vineyard. Then can we understand having relationship with Jesus--to know Jesus as our personal friend and savior.