Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?"
MATTHEW 21:42
Jesus' "Parable of the Tenants", also known as the "Parable of the Wicked Tenants", offers several lessons. We are stewards of God’s Kingdom on earth. Everything we have is through God’s abundant love. If we choose to reject God, His Son, and everything He stands for, we will lose out on His promise of eternal glory. Reward is associated with good works, while punishment is linked with irresponsible behavior. Christians are encouraged to acknowledge God’s authority and fulfill their obligations towards Him. People in positions of trust must not abuse their position. A time of judgment awaits all individuals. These lessons remind us of the importance of faithfulness, respect for authority, and the consequences of our actions.
33 Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. 34 When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. 35 But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. 36 Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ 39 They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” 41 They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? 43 Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet. (Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46)
In the realm where virtues dance and play, three stand tall, leading the way. Faithfulness, respect, and consequence, guiding life's complex sequence. Faithfulness, a beacon bright and true, a steadfast promise, a bond that grew. In the face of doubt, in the face of fear, faithfulness whispers, "I am here." Respect for authority, a noble trait, in the grand theater of life, it sets the stage. It teaches us to listen, to understand, to follow the conductor's skilled hand. And then comes consequence, the echo of our deeds, following our actions, like a shadow through the reeds. A reminder that every choice we make shapes the path that we will take. So let us dance with these virtues, let us join their song, in the symphony of life, where we all belong. with faithfulness, respect, and consequence in sight, we'll navigate life's journey, from morning until night.
Dear Lord, in the journey of life, under Your divine light, we seek to understand the path that is right. Guide us in faithfulness, in love and in deed, help us to fulfill, every promise, every need. Teach us respect for authority, in all its forms, in calm or in storm, in norms and reforms. May we understand, the role it plays in the order of life, in our nights and our days. Remind us of consequences, of actions we take, of the ripples we cause, of the waves we make. Help us to see, that every choice is echoed back, in life's resounding voice. In faithfulness, respect, and consequence, we find the pillars of life, to these may we bind. In Your name, we pray, guide us on our way, in every action, in every word we say. Amen.
Children are jealous of their siblings because of the unequal attention or encouragement their parents gave to them. Sibling jealousy is a common phenomenon and can be defined as a state of frustration felt by children when they perceive that they are no longer emotionally reciprocated by loved ones (parents, grandparents, etc.) or at least with the same intensity as before. It often arises because children begin to ask themselves what’s their place in the family and in their parents’ hearts. A jealous sibling is constantly on the lookout for ways that they can “one up” their sibling. Verbal arguments and physical fights can result from jealousy. Sibling jealousy can lead to feelings of resentment, anger, and inadequacy. This can create a toxic dynamic within the family, causing emotional distress and strained relationships.
3 Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long tunic. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him. 12 One day, when his brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem, 13 Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem. Get ready; I will send you to them.” 17 So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan. 18 They noticed him from a distance, and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him. 19 They said to one another: “Here comes that master dreamer! 20 Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here; we could say that a wild beast devoured him. We shall then see what comes of his dreams.” 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from their hands, saying, “We must not take his life. 22 Instead of shedding blood,” he continued, “just throw him into that cistern there in the desert; but do not kill him outright.” His purpose was to rescue him from their hands and restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came up to them, they stripped him of the long tunic he had on; 24 then they took him and threw him into the cistern, which was empty and dry. 25 They then sat down to their meal. Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum, balm, and resin to be taken down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers: “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood? 27 Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. 28 They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. (Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28)
In the heart of a home where love should dwell lies a story that time will tell. Two siblings born under the same bright star yet their feelings for each other, from warmth, are far. One sibling shines, the other in shadow falls, echoing through the family halls. The favored one wears a crown of gold while the other's worth, in whispers, is told. Jealousy, like a serpent, begins to coil in the overlooked one, resentment begins to boil. "Why does the sun shine only on thee while I, in your shadow, struggle to be?" The favored one, oblivious to the pain basks in the sunshine, oblivious to the rain. Unaware of the storm that's starting to form in the heart of the one who feels forlorn. But let not jealousy taint your heart for each of us has a different part. The sun and the moon cannot be compared, each in their own way, uniquely prepared. So, siblings, remember as you journey along, in harmony, you are strong. Let not jealousy darken your way for together, you can keep the shadows at bay.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today, hearts heavy with the burden of jealousy. In the sacred bond of siblings, where love should freely flow, sometimes, dear Lord, seeds of envy unknowingly we sow. We pray for your guidance, your wisdom, and your light to help us navigate through this internal fight. Help us to see each other's worth, not as a threat but as a testament to the love in our family portrait. Teach us to celebrate each other's victories as our own and to lift each other up when one of us is thrown. Help us to understand that we are unique in our own way and that comparison only leads us astray. Instill in us the virtues of kindness, patience, and love as we strive to reflect your holiness from above. Help us to remember that we are all part of one family tree and to love one another unconditionally. We pray for healing, reconciliation, and peace, for the strength to let go of resentment, allowing it to cease. May we always remember that we are brothers and sisters and to treat each other with the respect that this confers. In Jesus holy name, we pray. Amen.
God can bring about good outcomes from difficult circumstances. He sometimes uses the adversity of one's life for a greater purpose. Adversity can be a means of building faith. Trials allow us to apply God’s Word instead of just reading it. If what we believe is never tested, it remains head knowledge. Challenges and hardships can often lead to growth, learning, and ultimately, a greater good. Persevere and maintain faith. Faith can help build resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from adversity and maintain a sense of well-being in the face of difficult circumstances. Individuals who have strong faith are often more resilient and better able to cope with stress and trauma. Faith can provide hope, a powerful motivator that can inspire us to keep going even when things are difficult. When we have faith, we can trust that there is a brighter future ahead and that our struggles are not in vain.
16 When the Lord called down a famine on the land and ruined the crop that sustained them, 17 He sent a man before them, Joseph, sold as a slave. 18 They had weighed him down with fetters, and he was bound with chains, 19 till his prediction came to pass and the word of the Lord proved him true. 20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of the peoples set him free. 21 He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions. (Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21)
In the crucible of life where trials are rife, God can bring about good, cutting through strife. Through the storm, through the night, through the fears, He molds us with love, wiping away our tears. Adversity, they say, is but a bitter seed, yet from it springs strength, in times of need. God uses it as a tool, in His divine plan to shape and to mold, the heart of a man. When the winds blow harsh, and hopes seem faint, it's in these moments, God paints the portrait of a saint. For in the face of hardship, faith takes flight, a beacon of hope, in the darkest night. So fear not the trials, that life may bring for they are the notes, to which faith will sing. Remember always, in every situation, adversity can be a means of building faith, a divine foundation.
Dear Heavenly Father, in the midst of trials and tribulations, we turn to You. We trust in Your promise, that You make all things new. In difficult circumstances, when all seems lost, we remember that our Savior, too, paid a cost. You use our adversities, in Your grand design o shape our character, making us divine. When we face hardships, when we are put to the test, we know that You are working for our best. Through these trials, our faith is refined, in our weaknesses, Your strength we find. Lord, help us to see, in every situation the purpose and potential for a stronger foundation. May we understand that adversity can be a means of building faith, for eternity. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
VI: Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem
THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS
Matthew 21:33-46
IV: Joseph and his Brothers
JOSEPH SOLD INTO EGYPT
Genesis 37:1-36
Fourth Book : Psalms 90-106
GOD'S FIDELITY TO THE PROMISE
Psalm 105:1-43
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Edge
