Good News of the Lord

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ: The word Gospel means the Good News of the Lord. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46) is definitely the Good News of the Lord. At first reading, one may conclude that the message is rather harsh. A landowner builds a vineyard and then leases this land to tenants to harvest. When the landowner sends his servants for the harvest, the tenants, belligerent with power, kill the servants. The landowner, sends a larger group of servants and the same fate awaits them. Finally, the landowner “sent his son to them thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But instead of respecting the heir of the landowner, they killed him to acquire his inheritance. God planted us a vineyard on this earth, he sent us great profits and priest to harvest the fruits of his vineyard and we stoned and killed the servants of God. As a last step, he sent his only-begotten son, and we through him out and killed him. Jesus tells us, “If they will not listen to Moses, and the profits, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31). Jesus goes on to say in today’s Gospel, “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.” (Matthew 24:43) As children of God, we have been provided the vineyard of the Lord. We are called to produce the fruits of the vineyard. Are we producing the fruits of the vineyard for our own gain or for our master in heaven. Are we “killing the messenger” or are we glorifying the Word. Today’s message is harsh, but the message is clear and good. We shall inherit the Kingdom of God , if we produce its fruit. Whenever and wherever the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, we should listen. No matter how painful the message, we should obey. We are tenants of this earth, what have you done to produce its fruits? During Lent, listen to the Word of the Lord. Ask the Lord for Wisdom in hearing his message. The apostle James tells us, “If any of you is lacking in Wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5). A Simple Prayer “Lord, I want to hear what you have to say to me today, Even if it shakes or challenges me. Trusting in your mercy and love, I want to embrace your words So that I can bear fruit in your kingdom.” Yours in Christ Michael Marcon