Readings:
Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-28
Matthew 21:33-43,45-46
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants—those who were entrusted with the vineyard but rejected the landowner’s servants and even killed his son. Jesus makes it clear that this story is about how Israel rejected the prophets and, ultimately, the Son of God Himself. The religious leaders knew He was speaking about them, and instead of repenting, they hardened their hearts even more.
There is a story by Anthony de Mello, a wise person of our time:
A prophet arrived in a city to call its people to change. At first, they listened, but soon they lost interest. In the end, no one came to hear him. A traveller asked why he kept preaching if no one was listening. The prophet answered:
“At first, I preached to change them. Now I keep preaching so they don’t change me.”
Like the landowner in the parable, God sends His messengers again and again. But people reject them—not because they don’t hear, but because they don’t want to change. The problem isn’t ignorance; it’s resistance. The prophet in the story keeps speaking, not because he expects people to change, but because he refuses to be changed by their indifference.
Jesus faced the same rejection. He was the “stone the builders rejected,” yet He became the cornerstone. The world’s rejection did not change Him; instead, He transformed the world through His love.
This is our challenge as Christians. The world may ignore God’s voice, dismiss faith, and reject Christ’s message. But we are called to remain faithful—to keep speaking truth, to keep living with love, to keep shining Christ’s light, even when no one listens.
May we not be like the tenants who rejected the Son, but like the prophet who remained faithful—so that the world does not change us, but we help bring God’s kingdom to the world.
Giltus Mathias CP, is the parish priest at St Brigid Marrickville.