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| "Saint Boniface" by Cornelis Bloemaert, c. 1630 |
Reading 1: Tobit 1:3; 2:1a-8
Commentary on Tb 1:3; 2:1a-8
This section of the Book of Tobit introduces us to some of the main characters in the story and sets up the trials of the author. In this passage we hear that the festival Pentecost (the Hebrew festival of Weeks, not the Christian Solemnity) is taking place. The virtues of the author in almsgiving and charity are described. Tobit is held up as a strict follower of Mosaic Law during this time when a majority of the faithful are lapsing. The second part of the selection speaks about the murder of one of the people and subsequent acts set the stage for fulfillment of earlier prophecies and further events in the story the prophet tells. The fact that the Jews abandoned their dead shows how far the faith had degraded. In burying his dead compatriot, Tobit attempts to capture the spirit of the law and reverse this trend. It is dangerous for him to do so.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6
R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 112:1b-2, 3b-4, 5-6
In this section of Psalm 112 the virtues of faithfully following God’s commandments are extolled. This hymn of David exalts the person who follows the Law of God. A number of actions associated with this faithfulness are presented including acts of generosity, mercy, charity, and honesty. That person, we are told, will be held up by God. The virtues of faithfully following God’s commandments are extolled. The one who follows the Lord will be upheld by God “in everlasting remembrance.”
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Gospel: Mark 12:1-12
Commentary on Mk 12:1-12
In the first part of the Gospel we hear the Parable of the Vineyard. Since this story is directed to the Chief Priests and Scribes, we see that the vineyard represents the Kingdom of God and the tenants the Sanhedrin. They should have been working on behalf of God but instead misused their power and disregarded the Prophets, killing some, beating others. And when the Son of the owner comes and is killed, Jesus prophesies his own death.
The final section of the reading uses the image found in Psalm 118; 23-24, “the stone rejected.” Jesus uses this scripture quote to drive home his point that the Sanhedrin had completely missed God’s intent and that the one they rejected, Jesus himself, the Messiah, was to be the cornerstone of the New Jerusalem, God’s Kingdom on earth and in heaven.
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Reflection:
The Parable of the Vineyard has as much validity today as it did in the day of Jesus, although for a different reason. In Jesus' day, when he first told this story, it was so that the Jewish leadership could realize the error of their understanding. They had a history of not seeing messengers from God and even attacking them because their message was frequently calling them away from self-serving ideals to a higher level of faith and love for God. As Jesus predicted in his parable, they rejected the Messiah and killed him as well.
We, the Christians of this age, must hear this parable and be warned by it. At Pentecost we were reminded that Jesus left us the great guide and advocate, the Holy Spirit. He left it for us but how often do we ignore that voice? How often do we believe, like the Chief Priests must have, that the way we live Christ’s commandments to us must be right and forget that the Lord came for all peoples of all nations?
The short answer is, it happens to us every day. We get involved in ourselves and we focus intensely on some element of our activity and miss an opportunity to express Christ’s love to others. Or even worse, we encounter a person who also believes they are doing right and instead of giving them the benefit of doubt as to their intentions, we assume they are purposely challenging our moral or religious values.
We must, as Christians be “pro-noid” that is, instead of believing that people are intentionally against what we do we should believe that they would help us given a chance and an explanation. Instead of thinking automatically that the person who looks down and out is a potential threat to our safety, let us see that person as an opportunity, as did Tobit, to express God’s love and generosity. Instead of seeing those who disagree with us as detractors and enemies, let us ask the Advocate to show us how to reach them with Christ’s love, to join us in God’s work.
Yes, the Parable of the Vineyard is appropriate for us today. Let us ask God to help us to be open and inviting in our attitudes and to avoid being closed and resistant to the call of the Holy Spirit. He is the cornerstone of our faith; we need to behave that way.
Pax
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