"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.

Introductory Prayer:  Lord God, I believe that you are Creator of the heavens and the earth.  I believe in Jesus Christ your son who will come to judge the living and the dead.   I believe in life everlasting for those who serve you in love.

Petition: Lord, let me serve you and produce fruit for your Kingdom.

1. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard ... then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.

Agnostics are people who think that God is far away.  Maybe there is a Creator who set the world in motion, but he is no longer on the scene.  Is this the case?

Evidently, the fact that God sent his only Son into the world reveals that the Creator is very close to his creation.  God, in whose image man is made, has taken on human nature.  The Word, through whom the world was created, speaks to us in human words by this parable.

Jesus Christ addresses directly the temptation to perhaps think that God is far away, that he has left us alone, that he doesnt care any more There was a landowner who planted a vineyard then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.  While in fact, He came into his own, and his own did not recognize him.  Has the fig tree borne fruit?

2. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.'

Jerusalem was the city of God to the Jews of Jesus day.  Jerusalem was a city walled and fortified, a garden of olives and vines, like the surrounding Kidron and Gethsemane.  Within its walls many a prophet experienced rejection, torture or death.  They had spoken in Gods name that far-away, abandoning, forgetful God whom they hated.  Creation was theirs to rule over like gods, serving no one.  To whom, in their disbelief and self-centeredness, did they need to render an account?

Jesus means God saves.  Christ means the Anointed One.  Jesus Christ was not a messenger who came in Gods name no, he is He-who-is, who was, and who ever shall be - the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Surely they will embrace a God who is so very near, who has intimately assumed our condition, the Creator who deems to serve his creature.  The light of truth can dispel disbelief and the ignorance of God; Gods love communicates despite poor human judgments and categories.  Surely, They will respect my son?

3. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

Christs fate in the holy city was no different than that of the prophets who preceded him.  Christ was seized from the garden, brought to the praetorium, led to the walls of the city, and killed.  Yet, despite the disbelief and hatred of men, Jesus did not lose his relationship with God:  the eternal Son who wore the robe of human nature was faithful to the eternal Father and said, Forgive them for they know not what they do.

The Son had not been respected, yet to those who believe he gave the power to become sons of God.  The fig tree had not borne fruit, yet from a sterile crucifix he produced Bread from heaven and Wine to fill the chalices of his mothers children to overflowing.   If they hated me, they will hate you.  Take up your cross and follow me.  I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Conversation:Lord Jesus, let me work faithfully in your harvest.  Let the talents that you have given me bear fruit for your Kingdom.  Especially during this Year of the Eucharist, let me be nourished by your Body and Blood, the heavenly food that you offer me.

Questionnaire:

1. What notions do I have of God? How personal is God to me?  How do I perceive Gods living presence in the beauty of nature and in other people?

2. How is my prayer life a personal encounter with Christ? In what ways do I sense the reality of God during my prayer? How do I use my intellect and will to discover how God wants me to serve?

3. How am I capable of suffering for what is good?  Given the circumstances of my daily life, how can I set a good example in a hostile world?