SERVANTS OF GOD - 03/18/22 (Friday of the Second Week of Lent)

Matthew 21:35,37-38,40-41

35 and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.

37 Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, `They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, `This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.'

40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons."

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

For more information on the Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/march-18-saint-cyril-of-jerusalem-bishop-and-doctor/

Blessed Friday! In the parable, when it was time to get the fruits, the landowner sent his servants to the vineyard, but they were beaten and killed by the tenants. Even the son was killed by them, so they could possess all of his inheritance. The landowner represents the Father, and the son represents Jesus. Our Lord pertained to the chief priests and the Pharisees when He mentioned the tenants. However, the representation of the tenants should not be limited to them. Our Lord died on the cross because of all of our sins. As such, it's important for us to reflect on the times when we acted like the tenants in the parable. 

Although we do not literally kill people, we can dwell on anger with people who correct us, and we commit sins, even grave sins. But, why does this happen? Going back to the parable, the tenants were acting as if they were the masters, and they wanted to take the fruits only for themselves. When there are some people, especially devoted Catholics, who gently remind us of our sins and imperfections, there are times when we are angry with them. Like the Pharisees and the chief priests, it may be difficult for us to see how we offend our God because of our pride. There are instances that we may dislike their comments because we think that we are the masters of our own lives. It's possible that we fall to the trap of thinking that we should do whatever we want to do, even if it's wrong. 

However, we need to look at ourselves from a different perspective. We are the servants of God, not the masters. Our purpose in life is to glorify God, not ourselves. This is why we should persevere in following His will which will bring us true happiness. In reality, whenever we think that we are our own masters, we become slaves to sins. Jesus reveals to us His teachings for us to be freed from our sinfulness. If we serve our Lord by following His commandments, we will be saved from our spiritual death, and we will have the hope of everlasting life with Christ.

Let's reflect during the moments when we justify our sins and when we are angry with people who are concerned for us. Do we believe that we have the freedom to do whatever we want, even if our actions are contrary to commandments of God? May we seek the mercy of our Lord who died for us to have eternal life even despite our sinfulness. By the death of Jesus Christ, the cross became the tree of life. Our faith will bear fruit in us if we repent of our sins and if we serve our Lord from the bottom of our hearts. 

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic