Newsletter – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A.

REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart

This parable couldn’t be more obvious. The vineyard owner’s son is killed by the tenants, so then the vineyard owner will lease the vineyard to different people who will care for the grapes in an honest and respectable way, in memory of his son who died. Jesus switches symbols from grapes to bricks, and then emphasises how the cornerstone is the very stone that was initially rejected by the builders of the structure. Jesus challenges us to look deeply into this symbolism.

Who are the rejected bricks and stones at your school? Are there any outcast students who are mocked by others? Why are certain people judged to be more popular or less popular than others?

What would Jesus say about the value of less popular individuals?

How would your reaction to them be different if you took this Gospel message seriously? Are you going to change your reaction to them? Why or why not?

Who are the newer people that lease the land and help to harvest the grapes? Are you in this category?

Who are the tenant farmers? Who are the builders who dislike the cornerstone? Are you in this category?

© St Mary’s Press