" The kingdom of heaven of heaven will be taken from you,

and given to a people who will produce its fruit,"

 

Where a landowner rents out his vineyard, and the tenants beat and kill the servants—

and eventually the landowner's son—sent to collect the harvest.

The privilege was instead entrusted to a new community or people—encompassing both Jews and Gentiles

who put their faith in Christ—who would bear genuine spiritual fruit (righteousness, obedience, and faith).

Because they rejected Him (the Son/Cornerstone).

 

Isaiah 5:1-7

Let me sing

For my beloved my love-song about his vineyard.

My beloved had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.

He dug it up, cleared the stones, and planted the choicest vines.

He built there a watchtower and hewed out a wine press as well.

Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only wild grapes.

Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.

What more was there to do that I have not done for my vineyard?

Good grapes was the yield I expected. Why did it yield only sour grapes?

Now I will let you know what I am going to do with my vineyard: I will remove its hedge

and it will be burned; I will break down its wall and it will be trampled on.

 

I will make it a wasteland, I will neither prune nor hoe it,

and briers and thorns will grow there. I command the clouds, as well,

not to send rain on it. The vineyard of the Lord Sabaoth is the people of Israel;

and the people of Judah are his pleasant vine. He looked for justice,

but found bloodshed; He looked for righteousness but heard cries of distress.

 

Ps 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20 

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything. In everything, resort to prayer and supplication,

together, with thanksgiving, and bring your requests before God.

Then, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally,

brothers and sisters, fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy,

just, pure, lovely and noble. Be mindful of whatever deserves praise and admiration.

Put into practice what you have learned from me, what I passed on to you,

what you heard from me or saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 21:33-43

Listen to another example:

There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it,

dug a hole for the wine press, built a watchtower, leased the vineyard to tenants,

and then went to a distant country. When harvest time came,

the landowner sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the harvest.

But the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

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.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Lectio Divina 

Accountability and Faithfulness.

 Read: The first reading presents the metaphor of a vineyard,

highlighting God's disappointment with Israel for failing to produce good fruit,

which symbolizes justice and righteousness. Philippians 4:6-9 encourages

believers to seek peace through prayer and gratitude, focusing 

on virtuous thoughts to cultivate a life filled with joy and strength in Christ.

 

In the Gospel, Jesus shares the parable of the wicked tenants,

illustrating the rejection of God's messengers and the consequences those who do not

heed the Lord's teachings. Together, these readings emphasize accountability,

the importance of faithfulness, and the necessity of living a life aligned with God's will.

 

Reflect: The gospel reading conveys a profound message about accountability and faithfulness.

In the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus illustrates how the landowner (representing God)

entrusted His vineyard (the world) to caretakers (humanity) who ultimately failed to honor Him.

This powerful reminder urges us to reflect on our lives – what fruits are we producing in response

to the gifts and grace we have received? The Master's expectation is clear:

 

we are called to nurture and give back from the abundance we have been given.

By recognizing our accountability, we deepen our relationship with God,

embracing the gift of salvation as both a blessing and a call to active

faithfulness to continue the Lord's mission in our time.

 

Pray: Father, help me always to remember that all I am and have

comes from you, and that I must use them for your greater glory.

 

Act: Share your blessings with a poor person or a hungry person this week.