5 March, Friday — Giving God His rightful due

Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent

Gen 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28
Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

“Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.”

In the Gospel of today, we read about Jesus’ parable of the vineyard tenants. From the very beginning, I felt really upset reading about the behaviour of these people. I found myself feeling really frustrated.

Upon further reflection, I realised that our Lord Jesus was likening the Jewish leadership to the vineyard tenants. Instead of paying their dues to, first, the vineyard owner’s workers (the prophets?) and later the vineyard owner’s son (Jesus?), the tenants desired to take the vineyard for themselves instead, killing the workers and the vineyard owner’s son along the way.

In preparing for this reflection, I realised that I, too, was one of the vineyard tenants.

I am a tenant when I claim all the credit that is due to my God; all my successes, victories and achievements in my life.

I am a tenant when I believe everything I own, and have, is due to my own hard work; that I deserve whatever victory I have.

I am a tenant when I cling onto all my assets; that everything I own belongs to me, and me alone.

How do I, then, stop being one of those heinous tenants in Jesus’ parable? By continuing to honour God, placing Him first, and remembering that whatever good in our lives, comes from Him. This realisation gave me a huge dose of humility.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)

Prayer: We pray that we may always continue to turn to You, Father. Help us to remember that all good comes from You, and that we remember to be humble in the face of achievement and success.

Thanksgiving: We are grateful to You for giving us everything. Help us to continue to turn to You as we move towards eternal life, and for us to have the desire to please and accord You everything.