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 is for an end to abortion, especially in light of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
When Saul was persecuting Christians, Jesus appeared to him and asked him, "why are you persecuting me?" He never threw a stone at the Christians, but he consented and watched.
It makes me wonder about my response to the persecution of Christ today. His ways have been abandoned and His vineyard has been taken over. What is my response?
Lord, strengthen me so that I may respond properly
to Your persecution in this world.
Lord, I do not want to sit back and witness Your persecution.
I do not want to get angry with friends
as I talk about the persecution You are enduring.
No, Lord, I want to guided in the way I must walk
in order that souls may not be lost.
Lord, make me into Your vessel that reaches out
to the tenants who deny Your ways.
Lord, let me be Your voice.
Lord, let Your face shine through me.
Amen.
Take care and God Bless.
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