Lectio Divina for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read the following Scripture two or three times:
Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a
landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to
the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated
them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when
the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his
inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the
vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to
a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper
times.” Jesus, said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
Meditation
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on or more of the following questions:
– What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
– What in this passage comforted you?
– What in this passage challenged you?
Contemplation
Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
This is the heir.
What parts of my Catholic heritage are most precious to me?
What can I do to preserve and share that heritage?
By the Lord has this been done,/ and it is wonderful in our eyes.
How have I seen the Lord active in my life this week?
How can I give God praise for all he has done for me?
Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away f rom you and given to a people that will produce it fruit. What fruits has my life of faith produced?
How can this fruit help build up the kingdom of God?
After a period of silent reflection recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Before going to sleep each night, take some time to reflect on your day: how you experienced God’s
presence during the day, and how you responded to God’s call.
