Daily Readings - Sun Oct 08 2023
Isaiah
1Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:2And 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.3And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.4What 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?5And 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:6And 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.7For 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.
Philippians
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8Finally, 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.9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Matthew
33Hear 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:34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.36Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.37But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.38But 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.39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.40When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?41They 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.42Jesus 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?43Therefore 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 relationship between God and his people, as well as our own response to his gifts and call. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a parable about a vineyard that symbolizes the house of Israel. The vineyard, carefully planted and tended by the Lord, was expected to produce good fruit, but instead it yielded wild grapes. This serves as a critique of Israel’s failure to live according to God’s justice and holiness. The second reading from Philippians offers a different tone, encouraging us to trust in God’s providence and to focus on what is true, just, and holy. Paul reminds us that anxiety can be overcome by prayer and gratitude, leading to a peace that surpasses understanding. Finally, the Gospel from Matthew presents another parable about a vineyard, this time focusing on the son who is rejected and killed by the tenants. Jesus uses this story to critique the religious leaders of his time for their rejection of God’s messengers and ultimately for rejecting him, the Son.
These readings are deeply connected. Both Isaiah and Matthew use the vineyard as a metaphor for God’s people and the expectations that come with being chosen by God. In Isaiah, the vineyard’s failure to produce good fruit leads to judgment, while in Matthew, the rejection of the son leads to the transfer of the kingdom to others who will bear fruit. Philippians, while not directly about a vineyard, complements these readings by offering a spiritual response to the challenges of living as God’s people. It encourages us to trust in God’s plan and to cultivate virtues that reflect our identity as his children.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine how we respond to God’s gifts and call. Are we producing the fruit of holiness, justice, and love, or are we like the wild grapes in Isaiah’s vineyard? Do we trust in God’s providence, as Paul encourages, or do we allow anxiety and doubt to consume us? The Gospel reminds us that being part of God’s kingdom comes with great responsibility. We are called to be faithful stewards of the gifts we have received and to bear fruit in accordance with God’s will. Let us turn to prayer, thanksgiving, and a focus on what is good, trusting that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. May we strive to live as true vineyards of the Lord, bearing fruit that reflects his love and mercy.