Daily Readings - Sun Oct 04 2020
Isaiah
1Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.2He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.3And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.4What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?5And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.6I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!
Philippians
6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Matthew
33"Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country.34When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit.35And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.36Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them.37Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.'39And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.40When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"41They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons."42Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful metaphors and exhortations that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our responsibilities as disciples. The first reading from Isaiah presents a vivid parable of a vineyard that fails to produce the fruit expected of it, leading to its eventual destruction. This vineyard symbolizes the people of Israel, who, despite God’s care and protection, turned away from justice and righteousness. The second reading from Philippians offers a different tone, urging us to cultivate peace and trust in God through prayer and gratitude, focusing our minds on what is true, just, and holy. The Gospel from Matthew continues the vineyard theme, with Jesus telling a parable that critiques the religious leaders of his time for their rejection of God’s messengers, including His own Son. This parable serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of faithlessness and the ultimate transfer of God’s kingdom to those who will bear its fruits.
The readings are deeply interconnected, as they all revolve around themes of responsibility, faithfulness, and the consequences of our choices. Isaiah’s vineyard and Jesus’ parable both use the image of a vineyard to illustrate God’s expectations for His people and the gravity of failing to meet those expectations. While the first reading and the Gospel emphasize accountability, Philippians offers a complementary message of hope and peace, encouraging us to trust in God’s providence even amidst challenges. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a call to live in a way that reflects God’s justice, love, and holiness.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to examine our own fruitfulness as disciples. Are we producing the fruits of justice, mercy, and love, or are we like the barren vineyard, failing to respond to God’s grace? The readings encourage us to cultivate mindfulness of God’s presence, to trust in His peace, and to focus our hearts and minds on what is truly worthwhile. Let us not become complacent or distracted by the world’s allurements, but instead, let us strive to be faithful stewards of the kingdom entrusted to us. May we turn to God in prayer, seek His will in all things, and bear fruit that reflects the love and light of Christ in our world.