Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
The Chief Priests and elders questioned Jesus’ authority for the healing and preaching that he was doing. They were challenged by his interpretation of the scriptures and his teaching with boldness.
The parable in today’s gospel is a summary of the history of Israel, taken from the prophet Isaiah (Is 5: 1-7). Through this parable he confronts the Pharisees about their abuse of authority and reveals that he is the Son of God, ‘the Heir’.
The Pharisees rejected Jesus and plotted to kill him as Jesus unmasked their manipulation of the law and religion and hence they (current tenants) needed to be thrown out and the land to be given to new tenants who would help establish the Kingdom of God.
We reflect on our own lives :
- Do we also reject Jesus’s authority over our lives
- Or do we make him the corner stone
- and base our lives on his teachings
- and work to establish his Kingdom.
