GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 21:33-4633 "Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; 35 and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. 37 Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, `They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, `This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' 39 And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons."
42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: `The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it." 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 But when they tried to arrest him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him to be a prophet.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-283 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a long robe with sleeves. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.
12 Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." And he said to him, "Here I am." 17 And the man said, "They have gone away, for I heard them say, `Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. 18 They saw him afar off, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild beast has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams." 21 But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, "Let us not take his life." 22 And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; cast him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him" -- that he might rescue him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; 24 and they took him and cast him into a pit. The pit was empty, there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers heeded him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by; and they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver; and they took Joseph to Egypt.
Meditation: Do you ever feel cut off or separated from
God? Joseph was violently rejected by his brothers and sold into
slavery in Egypt. His betrayal and suffering, however, resulted in
redemption and reconciliation for his brothers. "Fear not, for am
I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but
God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should
be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:19-20). Joseph
prefigures Jesus who was betrayed by one of his own disciples and
put to death on the cross for our redemption. Jesus came to
reconcile us with an all-just and all-merciful God. His parables
point to the mission he came to accomplish - to bring us the
kingdom of God.
Parable of the vineyard
What is the message of the parable of the vineyard? Jesus' story
about an absentee landlord and his not-so-good tenants would have
made sense to his audience. The hills of Galilee were lined with
numerous vineyards, and it was quite common for the owners to let
out their estates to tenants. Many did it for the sole purpose of
collecting rent.Why did Jesus' story about wicked tenants cause
offense to the scribes and Pharisees? It contained both a
prophetic message and a warning. Isaiah had spoken of the house of
Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord" (Isaiah 5:7). Jesus'
listeners would have likely understood this parable as referring
to God's dealing with a stubborn and rebellious people.
This parable speaks to us today as well. It richly conveys some
important truths about God and the way he deals with his people.
First, it tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is
well equipped with everything the tenants need. The owner went
away and left the vineyard in the hands of the tenants. God,
likewise trusts us enough to give us freedom to run life as we
choose. This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice.
Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But
while the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his
judgment and justice prevail in the end.
Gift of the kingdom
Jesus foretold both his death on the cross and his ultimate
triumph. He knew he would be rejected and put to death, but he
also knew that would not be the end. After rejection would come
glory - the glory of his resurrection from the grave and his
ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Lord
blesses his people today with the gift of his kingdom - a kingdom
of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. And he
promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in him (see John
15:1-11). He entrusts his gifts and grace (unmerited favor and
blessing) to each of us and he gives us work to do in his vineyard
- the body of Christ in our midst today. He promises that our
labor for him will not be in vain if we persevere with faith to
the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:58). We can expect trials and even
persecution. But in the end we will see triumph. Do you follow and
serve the Lord Jesus with joyful hope and confidence in the
victory he has won for you and the gift of abundant new life in
the Holy Spirit?
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us - for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, for your own sake. (prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, 13th century)
Psalm 105:16-21
16 When he summoned a famine on the land, and broke every staff of bread,
17 he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19 until what he had said came to pass the word of the LORD tested him.
20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of the peoples set him free;
21 he made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Life through death, by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Unless the Word of God had first assumed our mortal flesh He
could not have died for us. Only in that way was the immortal God
able to die and to give life to mortal humans. Therefore, by this
double sharing He brought about a wonderful exchange. We made
death possible for Him, and He made life possible for us." (excerpt from Sermon 218C, 1)
