PUNISHMENT FOR THE WICKED AND THE UNFAITHFUL
First Reading : Isaiah 5: 1-7
Second Reading: Philippians 4: 6-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 21: 33-43
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah compares Israel to a vineyard which failed to produce the desired fruits in spite of the fact that the vineyard owner (the Lord God) lavished His care and attention on it. Sadly, it is destined to become a wilderness. Like this vineyard the Lord God took care of His chosen people Israel with utmost diligence and care. Unfortunately they produced evil fruits and as a result the Lord God rejected them.
* Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Philippians. Paul gives examples of the kind of fruits we should produce in the vineyard of the Lord. To enjoy the peace that God has promised in every type of anxiety we need to turn to God in prayer of thanksgiving and petition.
The parable of the wicked tenants Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This parable vividly describes the unfaithfulness and the wickedness of the chosen people of God - Israel. Jesus spoke this parable in the context of the unfaithfulness of Israel and its leaders. Not only they rejected the commandments of God but had the audacity of rejecting Jesus Son of God. The vineyard owner entrusted his vineyard to tenants. He had equipped the vineyard with every available facility - hedge, winepress and a tower- everything that would make their task easy and light. After handing over the vineyard to the tenants the owner went on a long journey. When he returned and the season for the fruits arrived the owner sent his servants to get his share of the produce. But these wicked men ill treated them and sent them back empty handed. Finally he sent his beloved son to them hoping that these men would respect him. Instead they killed him and took possession of the vineyard. At last the owner of the vineyard had no option other than to drive these wicked men out of the vineyard and handover the vineyard to other tenants. This parable has a deep significance in our lives too. In spite of God's great love and concern for each of us we have been often unfaithful and wicked in our relationship with God and others. The following messages are implied in this parable: 1. The destructive effects of greed and resultant violence against the rights of other humans. 2. The vineyard is the image of God's people. The question we have to ask is - are we good/bad tenants? 3. Everyone without fail is finally answerable to the owner (God).
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