The Vineyard

Readings for Sunday, October 5 — 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80: 9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

Suggested Reflection Questions:

  • The image of the vineyard comes up, again, in both the first reading and also the Psalm. Why do you think this imagery is used so often in the Bible? In the first reading, why do you think the vineyard sprouted wild grapes, instead of the intended crop? What message is this Scripture message trying to send?

  • In the second reading, we have a passage that starts with anxiety and ends with peace. It starts by saying that we should have no anxiety but rather make our requests known to God. It ends with saying that if we think about things worthy of praise, instead, along with what we have learned, received, and heard from in the apostle, then the God of Peace will be with us. How are you doing on this pattern of thought? Close your eyes and bring to mind something that has been giving you much anxiety lately. After a couple minutes, dwell on what you have heard, received, and learned from Christ. This week, try to stop yourself in the midst of anxious thinking and refocus your attention on Christ.

  • Yet again, we are back in the vineyard in the Gospel. Place yourself in this story as the landowner away and sending servants to check on his vineyard. After hearing your servants died a bloody and violent death, would you send your son? This is clearly a metaphor to God sending his Son, who mankind killed in a violent death. Why do you think God chose to send Christ to us, even after seeing many of the prophets violently killed? What does this tell us about God?