Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mk 12: 1-12
June 5, 2023 | Monday

Today’s Gospel

Using parables, Jesus went on to say, “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press and built a watch tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenants and went abroad.

In due time he sent a servant to receive from the tenants the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized the servant, struck him and sent him back empty-handed. Again the man sent another servant. They also struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent another and they killed him. In the same way they treated many others: some they beat up and others they killed. One was still left, his beloved son. And so, last of all, he sent him to the tenants, for he said, ‘They will respect my son.’

But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the one who is to inherit the vineyard. Let’s kill him and the property will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

And Jesus added, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the keystone; this is the Lord’s doing, and we marvel at it?”

They wanted to arrest him, for they realized that Jesus meant this parable for them, but they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

Not all people who are trusting and give opportunities and kindness to others are repaid with the same good things. Our readings for the day affirm this reality. However, we are also reminded not to be discouraged for being good to others because, in the end, it is still the Lord’s justice and kindness which shall prevail. The one who keeps on doing good things even though they are never reciprocated, shall not experience any loss. It is the Lord who shall repay their good deeds and the one who puts into justice those who take advantage of them.  /Vulnerasti, 2023