Tag: Catholic Deacon

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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of ancient Roman coin with Caesar's image

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Mass readings

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Responsorial: Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-10
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5B
Gospel: Matthew 22:15-21

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101820.cfm
www.deaconrudysnotes.org

My brothers and sisters, it’s like God picked these readings for this election season. Of course, they were selected by the Holy Spirit, and I’m not sure we could find better readings for our consideration!

In the Gospel today, Jesus says to those sent to trap him, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). There is a lot of meaning there for us! First, citizens are called to cast a ballot no matter how distasteful you find politics or disappointed with the process you feel. Our vote, in a way, is us rendering onto Caesar. Of course, this example overly simplifies politics, but I think it’s fair to say this is one way to look at it.

Second, we should be active in the process. It’s our obligation as citizens of faith to bring our tradition’s wisdom and to influence positive changes. There is a danger in engaging Caesar’s world. The risk is that we get sucked into the quest to wield power and influence. But as we discussed in All Things Catholic on October 7th, our bishops suggest that “We should not let the party transform us in such a way that we neglect or deny fundamental moral truths or approve intrinsically evil acts.” <1>

From my perch outside the United States, I see so much division in the country – even in our parishes. That’s painful to watch. Our divisions run deep. Why? Perhaps it’s because many of us have been sucked into the parties. Maybe people are being transformed by the parties and not the other way around.

Look, we’re Christian first. We have to be Christians first. No political candidate will stand with you or me on judgment day. We will be held accountable for how we spent our time on this third rock from the sun. The minute we can’t agree to disagree – the minute we can’t stand to be in the company of our brothers and sisters because of their politics – is the day we should recognize that something is terribly, terribly wrong.

We Catholics are Christians and our first and second readings give us some insight we should be mindful of. In our first reading from Isaiah, we hear that we are each of us called by our names (Isaiah 45:4). We are not called by our political affiliations. We are not called because our candidate is pro-anything. We are not called because of the size of our bank accounts or our retirement balances or the car we drive. We are called because we are created in the image and likeness of God. Period.

Our Catholic faith teaches us that being created in the image and likeness of God means we have a certain dignity. No one can take that away from us. No vote we’ve cast – no party we’ve supported. No one can take away our dignity if – if we reconcile ourselves with God. In six weeks, we begin Advent – a great time to be reconciled!

Paul reminds us that we were chosen. You were chosen. I was chosen (1 Thessalonians 1:4). That means you are worthy. How is this possible? Paul tells us that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we were set apart. We are not supposed to live our lives on the hamster wheel, chasing fortune and glory. We were chosen to help build the Kingdom of God right here, right now.

Paul says that Spirit came with much conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Do you feel convicted? Do you feel that you every fiber of your being is vibrating with the love of Jesus Christ for you and for everyone you encounter? When you look at yourself in the mirror, who do you see? Do you see yourself like Mother Teresa or more like a Wall Street tycoon? It’s easy to get caught up in the energy of chasing the next dollar, but I suggest to you that instead of chasing that which is Caesar’s, wouldn’t we be better off pausing every now and then and allowing God’s grace to rain down upon us and so that we can use this grace to reach out with love to make this a better world?

Homework! Inspired by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
1. During this election cycle, have I lost my temper and blown up at anyone instead trying to have a conversation?
2. Can I promote the attitude “agree to disagree” as a small way of promoting peace and justice?

I think doing our homework will help us right our course away from Caesar and back toward Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

Notes:
Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
<1> United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2020), no. 14. Adobe Digital Editions PDF.

References:
1. Eubank, Nathan. First and Second Thessalonians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2019. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Participation in the social sphere, 1897-1917
2. Duties of citizens, 2238-2244

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101820.cfm
Lectionary: 145

Reading 1
Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus,
whose right hand I grasp,
subduing nations before him,
and making kings run in his service,
opening doors before him
and leaving the gates unbarred:
For the sake of Jacob, my servant,
of Israel, my chosen one,
I have called you by your name,
giving you a title, though you knew me not.
I am the LORD and there is no other,
there is no God besides me.
It is I who arm you, though you know me not,
so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun
people may know that there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, there is no other.

Responsorial
Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
R. (7b) Give the Lord glory and honor.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.
Worship the LORD, in holy attire;
tremble before him, all the earth;
say among the nations: The LORD is king,
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Give the Lord glory and honor.

Reading 2
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5B
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
grace to you and peace.
We give thanks to God always for all of you,
remembering you in our prayers,
unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love
and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ,
before our God and Father,
knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God,
how you were chosen.
For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone,
but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

Alleluia
Philippians 2:15D, 16A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel
Matthew 22:15-21
The Pharisees went off
and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion,
for you do not regard a person’s status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?”
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
“Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax.”
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?”
They replied, “Caesar’s.”
At that he said to them,
“Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.”

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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

picture of many roads going in different directions and many confusing street signs

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Mass readings

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10A
Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-6
Second Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101120.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

What an interestingly odd Gospel reading today. Don’t you think? Those who are invited turn their backs and are destroyed. Those who are invited and come are not guaranteed to remain. How is that fair?

Ok, maybe this reading isn’t as odd as it is disturbing. Why would those invited not come? Well, it’s all about distraction. In the Gospel, they are so caught up in their own lives – their businesses and their busyness – that they ignore the invitation.

Now maybe we can all relate to this in some way. We get caught up in work or in our activities, binge-watching a show or glued to social media. Have you ever looked up and thought to yourself, “Where did all the time go?” These little distractions can amount to sins if they keep us from our true purpose.

In The Screwtape Letters, “Letter 12”, C.S. Lewis writes, “You can keep him up late at night, not roistering, but staring at a dead fire in a cold room. All the healthy and outgoing activities which we want him to avoid can be inhibited and nothing given in return, so that at last he may say, as one of my own patients said on his arrival down here, ‘I now see that I spent most of my life doing neither what I ought nor what I liked.”

Sound familiar? These distractions that keep us from doing what we ought or what we like can seem so important in the moment. Believe me – I’ve been there and done that – and sometimes I think I keep falling into the same trap! Technology makes it all too easy to get lost on three-hour tour of nothing!

God invites us. We are invited! The first reading gives us a wonderful description: rich foods, choice wines, where death is destroyed and every tear is wiped away (Isaiah 25:6, 8). We are invited, but God will not make us come to him. We must freely choose. So, in the Gospel account those who chose to ignore eventually experienced the reality of their poor choices. They were wiped out!

What about the person who was invited and came to the party without a proper wedding garment? I think this person is like the bench warmer. You know the type – the person who comes to mass for any reason except out of commitment to Jesus Christ. This person might come out of obligation. Worse still, this person participates in the Eucharist – a taste of the heavenly banquet – but is not converted. They are so filled with their own sense of right and wrong that the words of Scripture can’t penetrate the heart. But really, this person comes without a wedding garment. In other words, the person does not come predisposed to the saving grace offered by God through his church.

C.S. Lewis closes this letter this way, “You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy [meaning God]. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

Whoa! Listen, I wouldn’t recommend listen to the dramatized version of the Screwtape Letters, like the Radio Theatre version, on a cold, rainy night! But is this accurate? Look, most of us will never encounter the physical manifestation of evil, thank God! Lucifer’s greatest power is to plant seeds of fear and doubt. Lucifer can’t make us do anything, but by sowing doubt, discord, disunity, we put distance between ourselves and God.

Scripture says, “…let us rejoice and exult and give him glory, because the Lamb’s wedding feast has come…” (Revelation 19:6-9). Where will you be on that day?

Homework! Nourished at the table of the Word and Sacrament, let’s reflect on the following two questions.
1. What distractions occupy too much of my time?
2. Are there things I could be doing right now to help build the kingdom of God – to help my pastor and my parish community reach out to those on the margins?

I think our homework might help us refocus our attention. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Ament!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Lewis, C.S. The Screwtape Letters and Screwtape Proposes a Toast. Annotated Edition. New York: HarperOne, 2013. Kindle.
3. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus invites sinners, but demands conversion, 543-46
2. The Eucharist is the foretaste of the Messianic Banquet, 1402-05, 2837

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101120.cfm
Lectionary: 142

Reading 1
Isaiah 25:6-10A
On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
a feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
the web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from every face;
the reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial
Psalm 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Reading 2
Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20
Brothers and sisters:
I know how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

My God will fully supply whatever you need,
in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia
Ephesians 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
so that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
in parables, saying,
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants
to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests,
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

or

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
in parables, saying,
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants
to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.”

Posted on

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

charlie brown and linus cartoon charlie brown says my anxieties have anxieties

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Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Responsorial: Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20
Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100420.cfm
https://deaconrudysnotes.org/

What a tumultuous time we are living in! But my brothers and sisters, I have good news! In today’s second reading, Paul tells us, “…don’t be anxious about anything…” (Philippians 4:6). Easy for him to say, right? It seems like these times are bursting with anxiety-inducing sentiments. How many of us have heard or given out advice that you should stop watching the news right now – or at least significantly reduce your news intake? These are rocky times, to be sure.

You know, today’s second reading is part of a letter Paul sent to the community. There were two women in Philippi who were very important to the community. They were leaders of some kind – people who undoubtedly were very helpful to Paul in his ministry. Yet they had a falling out – apparently a very big falling out. So great was their influence that their argument was tearing the community apart! People were taking sides. How can the faith grow – how can anything grow in such a toxic environment!

This entire story reminds us that we can all have differences of opinions in our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and even in our towns and our nation. Exploring our differences can be helpful. The process of trying to find middle ground can yield all sorts of fruit, some sweet and some a little bitter, but that’s the nature of compromise. But sometimes our disagreements can get out of hand. If we are not careful, our disagreements can tear our families and communities apart.

Isn’t that part of the Gospel message today? Those pesky tenants thought the rules didn’t apply to them. They thought they could change the rules to suit their needs even if violence was required to advance their cause. What does Jesus say? Way wrong answer! Yet, how many people allow things to get out of hand?

A friend of mine is an episcopal priest from the east coast, and he was telling me that he’s having a hard time working with a couple. They’ve been married for over 27 years, but they are heading for divorce. They’ve made up their minds and are only seeing him to check off a box on the way to the courthouse. Why are they divorcing? Because one is voting for Biden and the other for Trump.

Can you imagine? When I was a child, the word “politician” meant dishonesty. Oh, they worked hard, and I’m not saying they are all crooks, but despite what they said during the election, they wouldn’t always do what they promised. I can’t imagine letting someone I know isn’t completely truthful between my wife and me.

How is it that we are living in a time with so much anger? I think it’s because we’ve allowed ourselves to be filled with anxiety. We’re all drinking from fire hydrants like unfiltered social media and 24/7 news programs that are anything but fair and balanced. I think we’ve let those fire hydrants push Jesus to the edge of our lives – or washed him out completely!

I’ve recently discovered a French theologian whose work I’m just starting to dig into, but one of his ideas surprised me. He says that the present is a pivot point between the past and the future. Isn’t that an interesting idea? And it ties so well not only with Paul, but all the self-help ideas I’ve heard.

Why stress over the past? It’s already happened. You can’t undo it.

Why stress over the future? Time will unfold in ways we can’t control.

Instead, focus on the present.

What does that mean? As a student of history, I would suggest that rather than stressing over the past, we try to learn from it. I don’t always follow my advice, but doesn’t that make sense? It’s not let go and move on. It’s let go and learn. What about tomorrow? Well, tomorrow – more specifically, my dreams can’t happen unless I take steps today. So, I act today, informed by the past, with an eye toward the future. I must be present right here and right now. These simple actions help us let go of anxiety. But we can do better than that!

St. Paul tells us that instead of filling ourselves with anxiety – I would say sources of anxiety like too much social media or too much news – we should fill ourselves with praise and gratitude for what we have. We should try to see in these things what God has done for us in Christ.

Homework! Nourished by the Eucharist let’s put what we’ve learned in the readings to work!

1. First, what things cause you anxiety? Are you spending too much time on social media or are you glued to the news?
2. Second, how can you help people let go of their anxiety and experience the peace of Jesus Christ?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

References:
1. Hamm, Dennis, SJ. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2013. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The Church as God’s vineyard, 755
2. Gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, 1830-32
3. Prophets are the servants, Christ is the Son, 443

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100420.cfm
Lectionary: 139

Reading 1
Isaiah 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!

Responsorial
Psalm 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20
R. (Is 5:7a) The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.
R. The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Reading 2
Philippians 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.

Alleluia
John 15:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord,
to go and bear fruit that will remain.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 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.”