27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
33 “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,[aa] 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. 34 When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants[ab] to the tenants to obtain his produce. 35 But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. 36 Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 [ac]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.’ 39 [ad]They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” 41 They answered[ae] 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.” 42 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’?
43 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. (Matt 21:33-43)
Many Filipinos work overseas and entrust to others their property—condo units, farmlands or business establishment—to other people. Similar arrangements were common at the time of Jesus in first century Palestine. Through a parable Jesus takes us to such a situation—a landowner, a vineyard, a self-sufficient business of winemaking, and of course, tenants who would manage it. The landowner then sends people who would collect the business revenue. Usual stuff, indeed!
However, the parable features a twist. The narrative turns violent with the tenants beating and killing those who were sent by the landowner. This happens twice. The landowner then gives it another try, sending his own son, but rather than relent, the tenants plot against the son and kill him. Jesus then asks an important question: what will the owner do? The chief priests and Pharisees themselves answer: he will put the tenants to death and lease his vineyard to other tenants.
The parable is a concise rendition of God’s judgment. The Father is the landowner who sent prophets (the servants) to Israel and its leaders (the tenants) who maltreat these servants. Then he sent his Son, Jesus, 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. Jesus illustrates a fulfillment from Scripture when he quotes Ps 118:22 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
This parable is directed to the chief priests and Pharisees who rightly realized that it was for them. The final words make us reflect: “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.” God continually communicates with us in many ways in our daily life but like 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. Fr. Joel N. Camaya, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Am I sensitive to God’s constant communication with me or are my personal concerns a distraction in my relationship with him? What fruits do I render to God who has made me a steward over his creation?
Lord, make me recognize your presence in my daily life. Amen.
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