Matthew 21: 33-43 45-46
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." When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for those who are seeking work.
Recently, a friend of mine told me about a discussion with other Catholic men at a recent gathering. They were discussing whether or not it is wise to give to those who are on the corners asking for money. I've had this discussion with my brothers and we have differing opinions as well.
The discussion normally points to what that man or woman would do with the money after they receive it.
As I thought about the landowner, "he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce ... "
Jesus said that whatever you do for the least, you do for Me. In our giving, we serve Our Lord who said on the cross, "I thirst." Do we think of the things we have as something that is meant for us alone? Or, do we see the things that we have as a means for us to be free to give ... to be free to love?
Who do you know is in need of God's "produce?" May we come to love Our Lord with generous hearts willing to give to least. Take care and God Bless.
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