Sunday, October 4
Matthew 21:33–43
At that time, Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, built a watchtower, leased it to some tenant farmers, and went away on a journey.
When the time for the harvest came, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect the fruits that were due to him.
But the tenants seized the servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
He sent other servants, more than the first time, and they did the same to them.
Finally, he sent his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’
So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
They answered, “He will put those wicked men to a miserable death and lease the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him the fruits at the proper time.”
Jesus said to them:
“Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’?
Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruits.” The Gospel of the Lord.
Commentary
God's plan is not stopped by our ignorance or by our wickedness. God will not stop saving people simply because we oppose Him through our mediocrity.
Our laziness does not stop His mercy. The one who loses is the sinner. If I exclude myself from God's plan, I am the one who loses.
God always finds a way. The owner of the vineyard will punish those who deserve punishment and lease the vineyard to other tenant farmers.
There are countries that have rendered great service to God. However, we should never take our faith for granted.
Today, the opposite is happening: there are attacks against Catholic churches. Not everyone behaves this way, but many blaspheme against God.
Faith is a gift we receive each day and a treasure that we must defend every day.
Questions for Discussion and Reflection
Do I exclude myself from God's plan because of my laziness or indifference?
Do I defend and nurture my faith as a daily treasure?
Do I recognize that missing the opportunity to follow God ultimately harms me?
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