Newsletter 8th October 2023 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

The readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A focus on discipleship and our choice to follow Jesus or not. In the first reading Israel is warned that they must be faithful. The psalm begs God to return to the vineyard and care for it once again. The second reading encourages Christians to continue along the path that Jesus has shown us. And in the gospel Jesus tells the parable of the tenants, who rejected the landowner.

· Parable of the Vineyard: The parable of the vineyard highlights the theme of God’s ownership and care over His creation. The vineyard symbolizes God’s kingdom, and the tenants represent humanity’s responsibility to steward it.

· Rejection of Messengers: The theme of rejecting God’s messengers is evident as the tenants mistreat and kill the servants sent by the owner. This reflects the historical pattern of disregarding God’s messages and messengers.

· Sending the Son: The owner’s decision to send his son underscores the theme of God’s ultimate outreach. Sending His Son, Jesus, reflects God’s desire to restore the relationship with humanity through a new covenant.

· Crucial Choice and Accountability: The theme of choice and accountability emerges as the tenants plot to seize the inheritance. Their decision leads to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of right choices and their consequences.

· Transfer of Responsibility: The transfer of responsibility from unfaithful tenants to others underscores the theme of God’s plan for redemption. This symbolizes the transition from the Jewish covenant to the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s kingdom.

· Rejected Stone and Cornerstone: The reference to the stone rejected by the builders becoming the cornerstone illustrates the theme of God’s sovereignty. This emphasizes that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail, even if initially rejected by people.