The Vineyard

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Oct 5
First reading                                        Isaiah 5:1-7
Let me sing to my friend the song of his love for his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug the soil, cleared it of stones and planted choice vines in it. In the middle he built a tower, he dug a press there too. He expected it to yield grapes, but sour grapes were all that it gave. And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I ask you to judge between my vineyard and me. What could I have done for my vineyard that I have not done? I expected it to yield grapes. Why did it yield sour grapes instead? Very well, I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge for it to be grazed on, and knock down its wall for it to be trampled on. I will lay it waste, unpruned, undug; overgrown by the briar and the thorn. I will command the clouds to rain no rain on it. Yes, the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel, and the men of Judah that chosen plant. He expected justice, but found bloodshed, integrity, but only a cry of distress.

Psalm                                                Psalm 79:9,12-16,19-20

Second reading                               Philippians 4:6-9

There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it 
with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can 
understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, fill 
your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and 
pure, everything that we love and honour, and everything that can be thought virtuous or 
worthy of praise. Keep doing all the things that you learnt from me and have been taught by 
me and have heard or seen that I do. Then the God of peace will be with you.

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Gospel                                          Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and 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 bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

Reflection

By Beth Eguia

Today’s reading is about the Parable of the Vineyard. The Vineyard represents “us,” as the Kingdom of God.

Before He created man, He made sure everything was in order. He created the moon, stars, the sun, sky, water, land, animals, all fruit bearing trees, etc.  And then He created us in His very own image and likeness. That means God loves you and me so much that we are almost perfect in everything.

But how do we re-pay His love, His kindness, His generosity to us? Have we lived our lives in accordance with His teachings? Are we good models to others, living decent, honest, truthful lives? Have we used our gifts and talents for the greater good of others not just for our own selves? Do we give back to God what belongs to Him in the form of tithes? Do we take care of our bodies, eating the right kind of food, engage in exercise and having a healthy lifestyle?

These are simple questions that I have to ask myself every day before I sleep, to account myself before the Lord because I never know the time He will come. I admit I am guilty to some of it. I may or may not be aware of it. The good thing is, God gives me reminders. He could use other people, a movie that I’m watching, or situations in life for me to realize that I must be doing something wrong. And He will enlighten me to repent and have confession.

Prayer

Dearest Lord, thank You for today’s Gospel Reading. We humble ourselves before You for we are sinners. Forgive us dear Lord for the many times that we used our time, talents and treasures for own benefits only. Forgive us Lord for not living holy lives. We admit our mistakes and ask for Your pardon. Help us to get up again. Help us to live each day being the best that we can be, to be that fruitful vineyard seeking only Your greater glory dear God. This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.