Reflection for 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus directs the parable of the vineyard owner to the chief priests and the elders. The vineyard owner is God. The vineyard stands for the people of Israel. Our first reading confirms this… The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant… The tenant farmers are the chief priests and elders, whom God gave responsibility to lead the people. The servants are the prophets. These are the prophets of the Old Testament. Jesus is the owner’s son. Those tenant farmers that replace the chief priests and elders are the apostles. The apostles become the new leaders of the people. The second leasing of the vineyard is the new covenant that God forges with His people through Jesus Christ. We find in today’s parable the story of salvation.
What can we learn from this parable? The owner of the vineyard gave the tenant farmers three opportunities to change. Just as God was patient with the tenant farmers, so He is with us. God gives us many opportunities/time to change our ways. He also gives us the help we need to convert from selfish/sinful ways. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation we receive forgiveness of our sins and the grace to avoid the occasion of sin. By the Holy Spirit, Sacred Scripture, especially through the homily at Mass, inspires us to change.
St. Paul in today’s Letter to the Philippians tells us that we are called to live a life of virtue, in which we are called to by God. …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. When we separate ourselves from God, we don’t receive divine life, especially in the sacraments to bear fruit for His Kingdom.
May God bless us all always!
Deacon Mike