In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God will be take from people who don't listen, and given to those who believe and are faithful.
Holy Spirit, fill my heart and illuminate my mind. Help me to hear and understand God's message today. Help me to recognise when God is trying to speak to me in my daily life.
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."
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFPDRVuvu3M (Credit to Catholic Kids Media)
Say: In today's Gospel we hear a parable about how some people responded to God's messengers. Jesus is talking to some of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
Ask: What does Jesus ask the religious leaders, and what is their answer? (What will the owner do to the wicked tenants? The landowner will kill them and give the land to different tenants). Do you think that the landowner would be justified if that was his response? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: Jesus then speaks directly to the religious leaders. What does Jesus say will be taken away from them and given to others? (the Kingdom of God)
Say: The message for us in today's Gospel is also pretty clear. God sends people to help us love and obey him. How do we respond to them? If we are like the wicked tenants in the parable, then we need to change our ways if we want to be part of the Kingdom of God.
Conclude in prayer together. Encourage the group to recall a time when they did not respond kindly to someone who was trying to help them love and obey God. Pray with them for the wisdom to be more open to God's messengers.
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you,
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend with your help,
to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Saviour Jesus suffered and died for us
in His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
