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27th SUNDAY in Ordinary Time Love and judgment (5th October
2008) THE 7 STEPS
1.
SILENCE
2.
WORSHIP
3.
SCRIPTURE
4.
MEDITATION
5.
BY HEART
6.
INTERCESSION
7.
COVENANT
PRAYER “Our parable presents both love and judgment. It reminds us that God is in charge, that
all things come from God, and God is foremost a loving and merciful God who
keep reaching out to us, despite the stingy way we live our lives…Being a
follower of Christ means to be open to both his love and his judgment” |
…Finally he sent his son to them.
“They will respect my son” he said.
But when the tenants saw the son, they aid to each other, “This is the
heir. Come on, let us kill him and
take over his inheritance”. So they
seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes,
what will he do to those tenants? Meditation: Try to answer as many questions as
possible
1.
To whom was Jesus
addressing this parable? Who is the
landowner? Who are the tenants? What is the vineyard?
2.
Before the landowner
leased the vineyard and went abroad, what did he do? (Hint: there are 4 things) What does that tell you about the character
of the landowner?
3.
When he leased the
vineyard out to the tenants, what was expected from them as tenants? (see v. 41, 43) Did the vineyard belong to
them?
4.
Why did the landowner
send slaves to them? What did the
tenants do to the slaves? How many
slaves did the landowner send? Why did
he send more slaves knowing very well what will happen to them
eventually? What could be the reasons
behind his action?
5.
Why did he send his son
to them? What did they do to his
son? (Hint: there are 3 things) When Jesus asked what the landowner would
do to those tenants, who answered him?
According to them, what will happen to the wicked tenants and the
vineyard? By Heart: Reflect on this in light of your daily
life situation God’s love is long
and enduring, hence he sent his own Son hoping that they would respect and
honor him. Nonetheless, they abused
him and killed him. But God’s love was
still persistent. He chose to use the
tragic death of his Son to give new life to his people. So, no matter how far we wander away from
God, he gently seeks us out and brings us back to himself. Thus, how do we make an accounting before
God? With all the blessings and graces
we have received from him, what fruits can we present to him? Intercession:
1.
That our hearts might be opened to see how patient God is with us and
respond to his love with joy and gratitude
2.
That world leaders may not resort to violence as a way to solve the
problems that we face each day
3.
That we might take every moment opportunity given to us by God to make a
difference for good in our families and communities
4.
That those who are sick and abandoned might feel the presence and
compassion of God from the care and prayers of the people around them Covenant Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death
and resurrection, you give us new life:
a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for
you are the source of life. Guide us
on our pilgrimage of life, that following you
faithfully as your disciples, we may witness boldly to the world, your love
and truth. Enlighten our minds and
hearts that your Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our
lives. Help us not to fall into sin
and if we do fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are
the way, the truth and the life. We also pray for all our brothers and
sisters, wherever they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their
faith may be strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled. In your name we humbly pray. Amen |
