Daily Readings - Sun Oct 08 2017
First Reading - Isaiah 5.1-7
Isaiah
Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
Second Reading - Philippians 4.6-9
Philippians
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Gospel - Matthew 21.33-43
Matthew
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of responsibility, faithfulness, and the ultimate trust in God’s plan. In the first reading, Isaiah uses the metaphor of a vineyard to describe God’s relationship with his people. The vineyard, symbolizing Israel, was carefully tended by God, who expected it to produce good fruit. Yet, instead of grapes, it yielded only wild grapes, representing the injustice and unfaithfulness of the people. This passage serves as a warning: God’s patience is not infinite, and there comes a time when he will hold us accountable for how we have stewarded the gifts and opportunities he has given us.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands on this theme through a parable about a vineyard owner and his tenants. The owner, representing God, entrusts his vineyard to tenant farmers, expecting them to produce fruit. When he sends his servants—and finally his own son—to collect the fruit, the tenants reject and kill them, motivated by greed and a desire to seize the inheritance for themselves. This parable is a direct critique of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, who had failed to recognize and respond to God’s presence in their midst. The parable also reminds us that our response to God’s gifts and callings has consequences. Jesus’ reference to the rejected cornerstone underscores the idea that God’s plan will prevail, even if some reject it.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians offers a practical response to these themes. He encourages the community to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and trust in God, rather than anxiety. By focusing on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy, we align ourselves with God’s will and open ourselves to his peace. This teaching complements the other readings by emphasizing that our faithfulness and fruitfulness are rooted in our relationship with God. As we go about our daily lives, we are called to tend the “vineyard” of our lives—our relationships, our work, and our communities—with integrity and love. Let us ask ourselves: Are we producing the fruit of justice, compassion, and holiness? Or are we, like the tenants, resisting God’s grace and failing to recognize his presence in our lives? May we strive to be faithful stewards, trusting in God’s plan and yielding the fruit of a life lived in harmony with his will.