GOD'S PUNISHMENT FOR THE WICKED AND THE UNFAITHFUL
First Reading: Isaiah 5: 1-7
Second Reading: Philippians 4: 6-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 21: 33-44
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah compares Israel to a vineyard which fails to produce the desired fruits in spite of the vineyard owner's (the Lord God) much care and attention given to it. Sadly, it is destined to become wilderness. Like this vineyard, the Lord God takes much care of His chosen people with utmost diligence. Unfortunately, they produce evil fruits and as a consequence, the Lord God rejects them.
*Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Philippians. Paul gives examples of the fruits we should produce in the vineyard of the Lord. To enjoy the peace that God has promised in every situation in life, we need to turn to God in prayer of thanksgiving and petitions.
The parable of the wicked tenants Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The unfaithfulness and the wickedness of the chosen people of God -Israel- is vividly described. The Jews not only rejected the commandments of God but they had the audacity of rejecting Jesus the Son of God. The vineyard owner entrusts his vineyard after equipping the vineyard with every available facilities- hedge, winepress and a tower - everything that would make their task easy and light. After handing over the vineyard to the tenants, the owner goes on a long journey. On his return, the season for the fruits arrives. The owner sends his servants to get his share of the produce. But the wicked men ill-treat them and send them back empty-handed. Finally he sends his beloved son, hoping that those men would respect him and send his share of produce. Instead, those wicked men kill the son and take possession of the vineyard. Finally, the owner of the vineyard has no option other than to drive those wicked men out of his vineyard and he gives the vineyard to other tenants. Although this parable is told about the unfaithfulness of Israel, it has deep significance in our lives too. In spite of God's great love and concern for each one of us, we have been often unfaithful and wicked in our relationship with God and with other humans. 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 ourselves is: Are we good tenants or bad ones? 3. Everyone without exception is finally answerable to the owner(Heavenly Father).
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