Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Parable of the Tenant Farmers
Dear Friends,
Then Jesus proceeded to tell the people this parable. “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and then went on a journey for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenant farmers to receive some of the produce of the vineyard. But they beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. So he proceeded to send another servant, but him also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. Then he proceeded to send a third, but this one too they wounded and threw out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I shall send my beloved son; maybe they will respect him.’ But when the tenant farmers saw him they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him that the inheritance may become ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and put those tenant farmers to death and turn over the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they exclaimed, “Let it not be so!” But he looked at them and asked, “What then does this scripture passage mean: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” The scribes and chief priests sought to lay their hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people, for they knew that he had addressed this parable to them. (Passage from the Gospel of St. Luke 20:9-19)
This morning I will go to our Parish Church here in Palmer Road, Prince Edward Island, and I will concelebrate Holy Mass with the parish priest as I do often. I will be praying for all of you.
(Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words:)
“I call you, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in every country of the world, to be part of My Kingdom. It is through Baptism that you enter the Kingdom and you are to follow Me every day and you will be part of My Kingdom for the rest of your life. The Parable of the Tenant Farmers teaches you that God the Father founded the vineyard, which is the Jewish Nation. He had given them laws and decrees, which they were to follow and if they did they would bear fruit. He sent prophets to them to teach them but they did not accept them. At the end He sent Me, His Son, hoping that they would accept Me. Instead though they arrested Me and killed Me. Now what will happen to these people? They were all thrown out of the country and other people came to inhabit it.
Now you, the Gentiles, the non-Jews, are being called to enter My Kingdom. Many have entered and are part of it but there are still many who have not entered the Kingdom of God. Some have entered but now they have left because they refused to follow Me. It is time, My brothers and sisters, for you to come into My Kingdom or to return to it. Open your heart to Me and I will give you the gift of faith you need. I am waiting for you.”
Father Melvin