First reading: Is. 5:1–7
Let me now sing of my friend, my friend’s song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes.
Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!
Second reading: Phil. 4:6–9
Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Gospel: Mt. 21:33–43
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.”
In other words
Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD (Santa Catalina Parish, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro)
My sister and I inherited small parcels of agricultural land from our parents. Since we lacked the skills to farm the land ourselves, we entrusted it to tenants who, by law, were supposed to share the harvest with us as compensation for their labor. As the rightful owners, we were entitled to the larger share of the produce.
Unfortunately, disputes with these tenants have been a recurring issue. They frequently fail to provide the correct amounts or give us nothing at all unless we confront them directly. Although laws are designed to protect farmers’ rights, they are often subject to misuse.
This situation begs the question: How do we differ from these farmers in our responsibility to care for God’s creation?
We are all tenants of God, entrusted with resources and responsibilities This parable challenges us to examine stewardship in our personal lives, careers, and communities. Are we truly cultivating the gifts and responsibilities we’ve been given, or are we simply complacent and self-serving? The tenants’ refusal to share what rightfully belongs to the owner serves as a warning to all of us: When we neglect our responsibilities, we risk losing what is most valuable to us.
Regarding the inheritance we received from our parents, many individuals have come and gone. Despite our desire to help them, they often took advantage of their privileges and abused the trust placed in them.