What Is Our Hedge?

On the 13th Sunday of Pentecost, the Church appoints for hearing the parable of the Wicked Vinedressers from the Gospel of Matthew.  This parable is full of meaning and the Fathers have expounded on the meaning of it far beyond its obvious prophecy of rejection and murder of Christ.  One of the interpretations holds that the "hedge" placed around the vineyard represents the Law and its design to set the bounds for the conduct of its followers.  As the Church stands as the new Israel, in today's homily, Abp. Irineos ponders what our hedge is and why we need one.