Again, the owner sent more servants; but they were treated in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.‘ But when the tenants saw the son, they thought, ‘This is the one who is to inherit the vineyard. Let us kill him, and his inheritance will be ours.‘ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do with the tenants when he comes?” They said to him, ”He will bring those evil men to an evil end, and lease the vineyard to others, who will pay him in due time.”
And Jesus replied, ”Have you never read what the Scriptures say? The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord‘s doing, and we marvel at it. Therefore I say to you: the kingdom of heaven will be taken from you, and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
REFLECTION:
Read: Both the first and the third readings speak of the ingratitude of the people of God towards Him who has brought them into being and provides for them on a daily basis. The second reading invites us to fill our minds with noble virtues so that we bear good fruits and remain in peace with God.
Reflect: How disheartening it is to receive ingratitude and hate in return for doing good? It has been the fate of many good men and women who pledged their lives in service of others. However, many of them continued to do good despite negative treatment because their hearts were filled with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely, and noble, and they had the peace of God. How do we compare with them?
Pray: Pray for the peace of God to reign in your heart.
Act: Do an act of good without expecting gratitude or favors.