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The owner of the vineyard


Gospel
Matthew 21:33-43,45-46
This is the landlord's heir: come, let us kill him

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:

It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?

‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’
    When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them, but though they would have liked to arrest him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.

Reflection

In this parable, the vineyard owner entrusts what is precious to others, only to face rejection and violence from those tenants. The so-called heirs—both the servants and the son—are treated with hostility, revealing a stubborn resistance to God’s invitation and to the rightful authority of the one who sent them. Jesus points to a reversal: what is rejected becomes the cornerstone, and the kingdom of God will pass to those who bear fruit. The message invites humility, mercy, and a faithful response to God’s surprising choices, even when they disrupt our plans or comfort.

Reflection Question

 How might I respond today to God’s invitation in ways that bear fruit, rather than clinging to what I think is mine or comfortable?

Prayer

Lord, you entrust us with your gifts and invite us into your vineyard. Help me to recognize your messengers and especially your Son, whom the world would reject. Grant me a heart open to your surprising plan, a spirit ready to bear fruit for your kingdom, and courage to seek reconciliation where there is hardness of heart. May my life reflect your love and lead others to you. Amen.

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