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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider To a people that will produce its fruit

To a people that will produce its fruit

Published Mar 1, 2024 03:12 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

The Father is the landowner who sent prophets to Israel, and its leaders maltreated these servants. Then he sends his Son who suffers the same fate as the prophets. 
The parable’s narration is timely: at the time Jesus was in Jerusalem, a few days before his passion and death. 


This parable is directed to the chief priests and Pharisees who rightly realize that it is for them. The final words make us reflect: “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” (v 43). 


God continually communicates with us in many ways in our daily life, but like that of the tenants, our selfishness becomes a hindrance to produce good fruits. 


Jesus comes, and many times, unaware, we reject him. This parable is a reminder for us to be worthy tenants: to be more sensitive to God’s words and his Word, Jesus himself.
 

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 land-owner 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.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
 

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