Gospel: Matthew: 21:33‐43, 45‐46
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘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 acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did 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 say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
Reflection
In the passage Jesus tells the crowd that those who follow God’s word will be welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven while those who don’t will have the kingdom of God taken away from them. Jesus is also foreshadowing his own death in the passage.
While reading this parable it made me think about my own life and the things I do in my everyday life. It made me wonder if I was ever greedy and refused to share with those I borrowed from. If Jesus were around today he would want all of his followers to share with others and love one another and not be greedy and self-centered.
During this Lenten season we need to remember we live our lives as Catholics to obey the word of God. As his followers we need to live by the example Jesus’ actions and words, and live them out. Even though at times it can be hard, we do it so when our time here on earth is over we can meet our heavenly Father at the gates of heaven and forever live with him in his kingdom.
As we continue on our Lenten journey, let us remember that in order to enter the kingdom we must “produce his fruits” whether that be completing a random act of kindness, praying, or doing service for others. If we all do a little good every day, it will help to strengthen our relationships with God and help us to one day see the Kingdom of God.
Tommy Gugino, St. Viator Parish, Las Vegas\
VYC Young Adult Leader
- Being Viatorian is important to me because we are a community of believers who celebrates their faith with an emphasis toward the educating the youth, or the future of our church. The Viatorians have continued to help me grow as a person in my faith even into my college years, which has helped strengthen my relationship with God.
- One thing I am doing to grow closer to God in this Lenten season is trying various types of prayer and praying multiple times a day.