Wicked Tenants
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Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 12: 1-12 - Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey. At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others; some they beat, others they killed. He had one other to send, a beloved son. He sent him to them last of all, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this Scripture passage:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?”
They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…they realized that He had addressed the parable to them.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders realize that Jesus is accusing them with this parable. Their pride is wounded. Instead of reflecting on Jesus’ criticism and trying to improve themselves, they grow deeper in anger and deeper in their mistakes.
It is always difficult to hear that we are wrong. How do we react when we are corrected for our weaknesses and mistakes? Do we take time to swallow our pride and consider that we aren’t perfect and have possibly made a mistake, or do we choose to continue in our mistake rather than admit our fault? During prayer, do a little examination of conscience. Consider how we usually react when corrected: do we immediately blame others? Do we immediately have an excuse? Do we immediately think of our corrector’s faults? Do we despair? Or do we use it as a chance to improve ourselves?
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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