Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 234
Lectionary: 234
Israel loved Joseph
best of all his sons,
for he was the child of his old age;
and he had made him a long tunic.
When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons,
they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.
One day, when his brothers had gone
to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem,
Israel said to Joseph,
“Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.
Get ready; I will send you to them.”
So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.
They noticed him from a distance,
and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.
They said to one another: “Here comes that master dreamer!
Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here;
we could say that a wild beast devoured him.
We shall then see what comes of his dreams.”
When Reuben heard this,
he tried to save him from their hands, saying,
“We must not take his life.
Instead of shedding blood,” he continued,
“just throw him into that cistern there in the desert;
but do not kill him outright.”
His purpose was to rescue him from their hands
and return him to his father.
So when Joseph came up to them,
they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;
then they took him and threw him into the cistern,
which was empty and dry.
They then sat down to their meal.
Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,
their camels laden with gum, balm and resin
to be taken down to Egypt.
Judah said to his brothers:
“What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?
Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites,
instead of doing away with him ourselves.
After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.”
His brothers agreed.
They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
for he was the child of his old age;
and he had made him a long tunic.
When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons,
they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.
One day, when his brothers had gone
to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem,
Israel said to Joseph,
“Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.
Get ready; I will send you to them.”
So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.
They noticed him from a distance,
and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.
They said to one another: “Here comes that master dreamer!
Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here;
we could say that a wild beast devoured him.
We shall then see what comes of his dreams.”
When Reuben heard this,
he tried to save him from their hands, saying,
“We must not take his life.
Instead of shedding blood,” he continued,
“just throw him into that cistern there in the desert;
but do not kill him outright.”
His purpose was to rescue him from their hands
and return him to his father.
So when Joseph came up to them,
they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;
then they took him and threw him into the cistern,
which was empty and dry.
They then sat down to their meal.
Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,
their camels laden with gum, balm and resin
to be taken down to Egypt.
Judah said to his brothers:
“What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?
Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites,
instead of doing away with him ourselves.
After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.”
His brothers agreed.
They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
Responsorial PsalmPS 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21
R. (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
When the LORD called down a famine on the land
and ruined the crop that sustained them,
He sent a man before them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
They had weighed him down with fetters,
and he was bound with chains,
Till his prediction came to pass
and the word of the LORD proved him true.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
When the LORD called down a famine on the land
and ruined the crop that sustained them,
He sent a man before them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
They had weighed him down with fetters,
and he was bound with chains,
Till his prediction came to pass
and the word of the LORD proved him true.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
Verse Before The GospelJN 3:16
God so loved the
world that he gave his only-begotten Son;
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
GospelMT 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.
“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.
Meditation: The stone which the builders rejected
Do you ever feel cut off or separated from God? Joseph was
violently rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. His betrayal
and suffering, however, resulted in redemption and reconciliation for his
brothers. "Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant
evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people
should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:19-20). Joseph
prefigures Jesus who was betrayed by one of his own disciples and put to death
on the cross for our redemption. Jesus came to reconcile us with an all-just
and all-merciful God. His parables point to the mission he came to accomplish -
to bring us the kingdom of God.
Parable of the vineyard
What is the message of the parable of the vineyard? Jesus' story about an absentee landlord and his not-so-good tenants would have made sense to his audience. The hills of Galilee were lined with numerous vineyards, and it was quite common for the owners to let out their estates to tenants. Many did it for the sole purpose of collecting rent.Why did Jesus' story about wicked tenants cause offense to the scribes and Pharisees? It contained both a prophetic message and a warning. Isaiah had spoken of the house of Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord" (Isaiah 5:7). Jesus' listeners would have likely understood this parable as referring to God's dealing with a stubborn and rebellious people.
What is the message of the parable of the vineyard? Jesus' story about an absentee landlord and his not-so-good tenants would have made sense to his audience. The hills of Galilee were lined with numerous vineyards, and it was quite common for the owners to let out their estates to tenants. Many did it for the sole purpose of collecting rent.Why did Jesus' story about wicked tenants cause offense to the scribes and Pharisees? It contained both a prophetic message and a warning. Isaiah had spoken of the house of Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord" (Isaiah 5:7). Jesus' listeners would have likely understood this parable as referring to God's dealing with a stubborn and rebellious people.
This parable speaks to us today as well. It richly conveys some
important truths about God and the way he deals with his people. First, it
tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with
everything the tenants need. The owner went away and left the vineyard in the
hands of the tenants. God, likewise trusts us enough to give us freedom to run
life as we choose. This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice.
Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while the
tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice
prevail in the end.
Gift of the kingdom
Jesus foretold both his death on the cross and his ultimate triumph. He knew he would be rejected and be killed, but he also knew that would not be the end. After rejection would come glory - the glory of his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Lord blesses his people today with the gift of his kingdom. And he promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in him (see John 15:1-11). He entrusts his gifts and grace to each of us and he gives us work to do in his vineyard - the body of Christ. He promises that our labor will not be in vain if we persevere with faith to the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:58). We can expect trials and even persecution. But in the end we will see triumph. Do you serve the Lord Jesus with joyful hope and confidence in his victory and gift of abundant life?
Jesus foretold both his death on the cross and his ultimate triumph. He knew he would be rejected and be killed, but he also knew that would not be the end. After rejection would come glory - the glory of his resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Lord blesses his people today with the gift of his kingdom. And he promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in him (see John 15:1-11). He entrusts his gifts and grace to each of us and he gives us work to do in his vineyard - the body of Christ. He promises that our labor will not be in vain if we persevere with faith to the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:58). We can expect trials and even persecution. But in the end we will see triumph. Do you serve the Lord Jesus with joyful hope and confidence in his victory and gift of abundant life?
"Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which
you have given us - for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
O most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, for your own sake." (prayer
of St. Richard of Chichester, 13th century)
 The Gift of Life |
|
March 6, 2015. Friday of the Second Week of
Lent
|
|
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. Introductory Prayer: Lord, though I cannot see you with my eyes, I believe you are present to me now, in my innermost being, and that you know me far better than I know myself. I also know that you love me much more than I love my own self. Thank you for loving and watching over me, though I don’t deserve your love. In return, I offer you my sorrow for my sins and my hopes to love you more each day. Petition: Sanctify me in my work, Lord. May it bring me closer to you. 1. God Entrusts Us with What He Values: It’s one thing to purchase an already functional property. It’s quite another thing to purchase a rundown property and fix it up yourself. Once tidied up, the latter is worth much more to you. It has become the fruit of your sweat and blood. It is not simply a possession; it is a part of you. In today’s Gospel, the landowner purchased the land and did the work himself to set up the vineyard before he handed it over to the tenants. When he entrusted it to them, he was not simply looking for a profit, but for someone to manage his vineyard. He valued it greatly, greatly enough to risk the life of his son. Christ has established his vineyard—the Church—and put it into our hands. Christ pays us the compliment of entrusting us with his work, with what he values. He not only gives us a job to do, but mysteriously puts the eternal salvation of other souls in our hands. 2. He Is Patient with Our Failures: The landowner did not stay around to supervise the tenants tightly. He did not even lay down rules or specify methods of cultivation. The master left the tenants to do their job as they saw fit. God is not a tyrannical taskmaster. He knows that laboring in his vineyard is hard work. At harvest time the master sent messenger after messenger. He did not become irate or condemn the tenants after one messenger had been abused and another mistreated. Rather, he sends them his son: he does everything possible to bear with their egotism and inspire them with his understanding and generosity. 3. God Is Equally Repulsed by Our Inactivity as with Our Iniquity: “Because you are neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15). The graver sin for the Pharisees was not what they decided, but rather their selfish and blind sterility in choosing not to decide. When Christ levies the sentence against the Pharisees, he does not say, “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that respects life” (as serious as this is); rather, he chides them for not producing fruit. Note that the sentence is essentially equally severe: the one offense takes life, the other refuses to give it. Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, your hands knew human labor, and you sanctified your life and the lives of those around you through your toil. Help me to see the virtue you teach. Help me to return all my talents to you by the work of my hands and mind. I want to be your working apostle. Resolution: I will accomplish today an apostolic task that I have been putting off. |
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, MATTHEW 21:33-43, 45-46
Lenten Weekday; Day of Abstinence
(Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Psalm 105)
Lenten Weekday; Day of Abstinence
(Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Psalm 105)
KEY VERSE: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (v 42).
TO KNOW: Jesus told a parable concerning the religious leaders of Israel. In interpreting a parable it is important to remember that there is usually only one main point. Generally, it is a mistake to treat a parable as an allegory, but this case it is different. Jesus used Isaiah's imagery of Israel as a vineyard (Is 5:1-7). The owner (God) lovingly cared for his vineyard (Israel), and in his absence he placed the tenants (the religious leaders) in charge. When vintage time came (the messianic age), the owner sent his servants (the prophets) to gather the fruit of the harvest, but the tenants treated them shamefully. Finally, the owner sent his own son (Jesus), but they dragged him "outside the vineyard" (Hb 13:12) and killed him. Because Israel had rejected the one that God had sent, others (the Gentiles) would benefit from God's mercy, and they would be the ones to yield an abundant harvest.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, help me to produce good fruit in my life.
TO SERVE: Do I refuse to listen to the people who God sends to me?
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service, carried out in more than 170 countries and regions. Through World Day of Prayer, women around the world affirm their faith in Jesus Christ and share their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and needs. Through World Day of Prayer, women are encouraged:
* to become aware of the whole world and no longer live in isolation
* to be enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures
* to take up the burdens of other people and pray with and for them
* to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of society.
Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action have immeasurable influence in the world.
World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service, carried out in more than 170 countries and regions. Through World Day of Prayer, women around the world affirm their faith in Jesus Christ and share their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and needs. Through World Day of Prayer, women are encouraged:
* to become aware of the whole world and no longer live in isolation
* to be enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures
* to take up the burdens of other people and pray with and for them
* to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of society.
Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action have immeasurable influence in the world.
Friday 6 March 2015
Autumn Ember Day.
DAY OF PRAYER AND PENANCE.
Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28. Remember the marvels the Lord has done—Ps 104(105):16-21. Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46.
DAY OF PRAYER AND PENANCE.
Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28. Remember the marvels the Lord has done—Ps 104(105):16-21. Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46.
Remember the marvels the
Lord has done.
When we are down in the
dumps, let us count our blessings—God’s providing; the sun that shines upon us;
the rain refreshing the earth. The Lord’s grain of wheat falls into the earth,
dies, and from it comes the stalk and the grains, the fruit of the earth, God’s
marvel is our blessing, our sustenance.
The psalmist goes on: ‘You
make fresh grass grow for cattle and plants for us to grow our crops and
produce wine to make us happy, olive oil to make cheerful and bread to make us
strong.’ And, further, sight, hearing, speech, memory, intelligence, family and
friends, faith, grace.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
No Pain, No Gain
|
At times Scripture holds a mirror up to our face and we don’t like
what we see. The Word is truth, and sometimes the truth is painful. But so is
antiseptic on a wound. Scripture challenges us only to heal us and call us to
growth. No pain, no gain.
March
6
St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes
(1614-1645)
St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes
(1614-1645)
Mary Ann grew close to God and his people during her short life.
The
youngest of eight, Mary Ann was born in Quito, Ecuador, which had been brought
under Spanish control in 1534. She joined the Secular Franciscans and led a
life of prayer and penance at home, leaving her parents’ house only to go to
church and to perform some work of charity. She established in Quito a clinic
and a school for Africans and indigenous Americans. When a plague broke out,
she nursed the sick and died shortly thereafter.
She was
canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
Comment:
Francis of Assisi overcame himself (and his upbringing) when he kissed the man afflicted with leprosy. If our self-denial does not lead to charity, the penance is being practiced for the wrong reason. The penances of Mary Ann made her more sensitive to the needs of others and more courageous in trying to serve those needs.
Francis of Assisi overcame himself (and his upbringing) when he kissed the man afflicted with leprosy. If our self-denial does not lead to charity, the penance is being practiced for the wrong reason. The penances of Mary Ann made her more sensitive to the needs of others and more courageous in trying to serve those needs.
Quote:
"At times when especially impelled by love for God and fellowmen, she afflicted herself severely to expiate the sins of others. Oblivious then to the world around her and wrapped in ecstasy, she had a foretaste of eternal happiness. Thus transformed and enriched by God's grace, she was filled with zeal to care not only for her own salvation, but also for that of others to the utmost of her ability. She generously relieved the miseries of the poor and soothed the pains of the sick. And when severe public disasters such as earthquakes and plagues terrified and afflicted her fellow citizens, she strove by prayer, expiation and the offering of her own life to obtain from the Father of mercies what she could not accomplish by human effort" (Pope Pius XII).
"At times when especially impelled by love for God and fellowmen, she afflicted herself severely to expiate the sins of others. Oblivious then to the world around her and wrapped in ecstasy, she had a foretaste of eternal happiness. Thus transformed and enriched by God's grace, she was filled with zeal to care not only for her own salvation, but also for that of others to the utmost of her ability. She generously relieved the miseries of the poor and soothed the pains of the sick. And when severe public disasters such as earthquakes and plagues terrified and afflicted her fellow citizens, she strove by prayer, expiation and the offering of her own life to obtain from the Father of mercies what she could not accomplish by human effort" (Pope Pius XII).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 21,33-43.45-46
Lectio:
Friday, March 6, 2015
Lent Time
1)
OPENING PRAYER
God, we do not want to die;
we want to live.
We want to be happy
but without paying the price.
We belong to our times,
when sacrifice and suffering are out of fashion.
God, make life worth the pain to be lived.
Give us back the age-old realization,
that life means to be born
again and again in pain,
that it may become again
a journey of hope to you,
together with Christ Jesus, our Lord.
we want to live.
We want to be happy
but without paying the price.
We belong to our times,
when sacrifice and suffering are out of fashion.
God, make life worth the pain to be lived.
Give us back the age-old realization,
that life means to be born
again and again in pain,
that it may become again
a journey of hope to you,
together with Christ Jesus, our Lord.
2)
GOSPEL READING - MATTHEW 21,33-43.45-46
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 thinking, "They will
respect my son." 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 at
the proper time.'
Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the scriptures: The
stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this is the
Lord's doing and we marvel at it? 'I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God
will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.'
When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the scribes
realised he was speaking about them, but though they would have liked to arrest
him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.
3)
REFLECTION
• The text of today’s Gospel forms part of a whole which is more
vast or extensive which includes Mathew 21, 23-40. The chief priests and the
Elders had asked Jesus with which authority he did those things (Mt 21, 23).
They considered themselves the patrons of everything and they did not want
anybody to do things without their permission. The answer of Jesus is divided
into three parts: 1) He, in turn, asks them a question because he wants to know
from them if John the Baptist was from heaven or from earth (Mt 21, 24-27). 2)
He then tells them the parable of the two sons (Mt 21, 28-32). 3) He tells them
the parable of the vineyard (Mt 21, 33-46) which is today’s Gospel.
• Mathew 21, 33-40: The parable of the vineyard. Jesus begins as
follows: “Listen to another parable: There was a man, a landowner, who planted
a vineyard, he fenced it around, dug a winepress in it and built a tower”. The
parable is a beautiful summary of the history of Israel, taken from the prophet
Isaiah (Is 5, 1-7). Jesus addresses himself to the chief priests, to the elders
(Mt 21, 23) and to the Pharisees (Mt 21, 45) and He gives a response to the
question which they addressed to him asking about the origin of his authority
(Mt 21, 23). Through this parable, Jesus clarifies several things: (a) He
reveals the origin of his authority: He is the Son, the heir. (b) He denounces
the abuse of the authority of the tenants, that is of the priests and elders
who were not concerned and did not take care of the people of God. (c) He
defends the authority of the prophets, sent by God, but who were killed by the
priests and the elders. (4) He unmasks the authority by which they manipulate
the religion and kill the Son, because they do not want to lose the source of
income which they succeed to accumulate for themselves, throughout the
centuries.
• Mathew 21, 41: The sentence which they give to themselves. At
the end of the parable Jesus asks: “Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes,
what will he do to those tenants? They are not aware that the parable was
speaking precisely of them. This is why, with the response that they give, they
decree their own condemnation: “The chief priests and the elders of the people
answered: ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the
vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him at the proper
time”. Several times Jesus uses this same method. He leads the person to say
the truth about himself, without being aware that he condemns himself. For
example in the case of the Pharisee who condemns the young woman considering
her a sinner (Luke 7, 42-43) and in the case of the parable of the two sons (Mt
21, 28-32).
• Mathew 21, 42-46: The sentence given by themselves was
confirmed by their behaviour. From the clarification given by Jesus, the chief
priests, the elders and the Pharisees understand that the parable speaks about
them, but they do not convert. All the contrary! They keep to their own project
to kill Jesus. They will reject “the corner stone”. But they do not have the
courage to do it openly, because they fear the reaction of the people.
• The diverse groups which held the power at the time of Jesus.
In today’s Gospel two groups appear which, at that time, governed: the priests,
the elders and the Pharisees. Then, some brief information on the power which
each of these groups and others had is given:
a) The priests: They were the ones in charge of the worship in
the Temple. The people took to the Temple the tithe and the other taxes and
offerings to pay the promises made. The High Priest occupied a very important
place in the life of the nation, especially after the exile. He was chosen and
appointed from among the three or four aristocratic families who possessed more
power and riches.
b) The elders or the Chief Priests of the People: They were the
local leaders in the different villages of the city. Their origin came from the
heads of the ancient tribes.
c) The Sadducees: they were the lay aristocratic elite of
society. Many of them were rich merchants or landlords. From the religious point
of view they were conservative. They did not accept the changes supported by
the Pharisees, for example, faith in the resurrection and the existence of the
angels.
d) The Pharisees: Pharisee means: separated. They struggled in a
way that through the perfect observance of the Law of purity, people would
succeed in being pure, separated and saint as the Law and Tradition demanded!
Because of the exemplary witness of their life according to the norms of the
time, their moral authority was greatly extended in the villages of Galilee.
e) Scribe or doctor of the Law: They were the ones in charge of
teaching. They dedicated their life to the study of the Law of God and taught
people what to do to observe all the Law of God. Not all the Scribes belonged
to the same line. Some were united with the Pharisees, others with the
Sadducees.
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Some times have you felt that you were controlled in an undue
manner, at home, at work, in the Church? Which was your reaction? Was it the
same as that of Jesus?
• If Jesus would return today and would tell us the same
parable, how would I react?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
As the height of heaven above earth,
so strong is faithful the love of the Lord for those who fear him.
As the distance of east from west,
so far from us does he put our faults. (Ps 103,11-12)
so strong is faithful the love of the Lord for those who fear him.
As the distance of east from west,
so far from us does he put our faults. (Ps 103,11-12)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét