21ST LORD’S SUNDAY FROM RESURRECTION (1 Cor 16:13-24, Mt 21: 33-42)
On the 6th of September every year, we commemorate the miracle that took place at Colossae in Phrygia. By the power of Archangel Michael and prayers of the humble man Archippos, the river Uval instead of flooding the Temple of Michael, as the Gentiles had organized, weathered towards a stony area.
It is the 21st Sunday from resurrection. The lesson of today concerns the work of salvation carried out by all of us, as building the kingdom of God in us. But not as our own kingdom that is worked out according to our own wish! Mt 21:38. Mk 12:7. Lk 20:14. We are supposed to work in Christ’s name the Vineyard. We should not consider the Lord’s Vineyard, the parishes, our own property! Compare the passage of today with the other related passages. Mk 12: 1-11. Lk 20: 9-17.
To interpret little the passage: tenants are not only the Jews, but all the appointed priests. Dt 7:6. Is 62:12. The servants therefore are in position of the prophets, most of whom were killed by the Jews. Son of the owner of the Vineyard in Christ Himself, who was eventually killed by the Jews. Lk 20:13.
The idea of Vineyard is lovely in the teaching of Jesus Christ, especially regarding the life of the Ekklesia. In this particular parable, Old Israel is to be replaced by the New Israel because of unfaithfulness. Remember also the content of Psalm 80: 8-19. Mt 21:43. Mk 12:9. Lk 20:16. For, although Old Israel was planted from Egypt to serve a great purpose of salvation, the chief priests and Pharisees had forgotten the kingdom of God. They were using the crowds (people) for their own aims, not for God’s kingdom!
For that reason, Christ the Lord reminded the chief priests and Pharisees. “Have you never read in the Scriptures (Ps 118: 22, 23) that, the stone the builder rejected has become the capstone (corner stone). The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”. Mt 21:42. Mk 12:10. Lk 20:17. But instead of coming back to their spiritual senses, the teachers of the Law, the chief priests and Pharisees “looked for a way to arrest Jesus immediately. Because they knew He had spoken this parable against them”. Lk 20;19