Few people like to be reminded of their responsibilities, especially when they have not been living up to them. The two parables in Isaiah and Matthew portray a kind and generous God who plants a vineyard and provides for it, asking only that the vineyard be fruitful. The vineyard of course signifies God's people. But the vineyard does not bear fruit, and in the Gospel version of the story the people even reject and mistreat those sent by God to remind them of their commitment. In a similar fashion, God sends us messengers to remind us of who we are and why we are here. We are not here for selfish purposes, but to learn the lessons of love and service. We are expected to grow in wisdom through our experiences, and to strive for a closer relationship with God and a more generous attitude towards others. The messengers whom God sends us can be other people, but often the messenger is an experience or situation. It may be difficult and challenging, but it reminds us that we have a mission. Although we can certainly enjoy the vineyard, we are expected to bear fruit. The worst failing in life is to not move or change at all.