5th March, Friday.
I. Gen 37:3-4,12-13a,17b-28a
II. Mt 21: 33-43, 45-46
Theme: A sign of a true servant
The gospel has three important aspects of the master’s relationship with the tenants before he puts them to death. Firstly, his generosity is expressed in planting the vineyard and putting a wall around it digging a wine press and building a watchtower. Secondly, his trust is found in lending the beautiful vineyard to the tenants expecting that they would give him the fruits at the due time. Thirdly we see the patience of the master in his forbearance with tenants even when they refused to give the due fruit to the master. The master was patient enough with the tenants to try even the last option of sending his only son. The master also expects three suitable responses from the tenants to his three qualities. Towards master’s generosity, he expects his servants to be always grateful. Nothing was theirs. But master gave it to them. Therefore, it was right that they respond to him with gratitude. Towards his trust he expects responsibility. Mater trusted the tenants completely and all that he expected was that they work hard in the vineyard and bring fruit that is suitable on behalf of the master. This was the responsibility. Towards his patience he expects repentance. Even though they beat one killed another and stoned another of his servants the merciful master did not give up on them. He expected them to respond with a repentant heart at least towards his son. But they were a group of ungrateful, irresponsible, unrepentant wicked tenants. And they received their reward. Therefore, we can see our God too having these three qualities and he wants us to respond to him with the same response that the master expected from his servants. Our God is generous towards us in lending this wonderful world for us. He trusts us that we would bear the right fruit in this world. Not just material fruit but fruits of justice, truth, love, peace, joy, etc. And he is also patient with us whenever we are selfish and bear fruit only for our selfish interests. All that he expects is that we are grateful towards his generosity, responsible towards his trust, and repentant towards his patience. This is the sign of a true servant.
Bro. Martin Smm
II BTh