Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it.
The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!
Why have you broken down its walls, so that every passer-by plucks its fruit. The boar from the forest lays it waste, and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
Once again, o Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. O Lord, God of hosts, restore us; if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.
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."
“Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'”
Fr. Jorge LORING SJ (Cádiz, Spain)Today, we contemplate the mystery of the rejection of God in general, and of Christ in particular. It is surprising to see the repeated resistance of humans to God's love.
However, today's parable refers more specifically to the rejection the Jews had towards Christ: “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” (Mt 21:37-39). This is not easy to comprehend: it's because Christ came to redeem the entire world, and the Jews were waiting for their own "messiah" to grant them dominion over the entire world...
When I was in the Holy Land, I was given a tourist brochure of Israel that featured the most famous Jews in history: from Moses, Gideon, and Joshua, to Ben Gurion, founder of the State of Israel. However, Jesus Christ was not in that brochure. Yet, Jesus has been the most well-known Jew in history: he is recognized worldwide, and it's been two thousand years since he died...
Over time, great figures are admired, but they are not loved. Today, no one loves Cervantes or Michelangelo. However, Jesus is the most loved in history. Men and women give their lives out of love for Him. Some through martyrdom, and others "drop by drop", living only for Him. There are thousands and thousands throughout the world.
And Jesus has had the most significant influence on history. Values now accepted everywhere have Christian origins. Not only that, but it is also evident that there is a growing closeness to Jesus Christ, even among Jews ("our elder brothers in faith," as said by Saint John Paul II). Let us specifically pray for the conversion of the Jews, for this people with its great values, when converted to Catholicism, can be of immense benefit to all of humanity.
Thoughts on Today's Gospel
"Love Sacred Scripture and wisdom will love you; love it tenderly, and it will protect you; honor it and you will receive its caresses. May it be for you as your necklaces and your earrings" (Saint Jerome)
“On the Cross Jesus does not speak of comparisons: He is Himself” (Benedict XVI)
“To his accusers' question before the Sanhedrin, "Are you the Son of God, then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am" (Lk 22:70). Well before this, Jesus referred to himself as "the Son" who knows the Father, as distinct from the "servants" God had earlier sent to his people…” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n 443)
