Matthew 21:33-43
Lead in #1: Jesus tells stories that sometimes seem pretty far fetched, like in the story he tells in Matthew 21. What farm hands, looking to get paid more, would be so greedy that they would go so far as to do away with the farm owner’s son to get what they want? There’s a sobering truth in that. Is it not possible, that in certain cases when we’re so driven by greed, that we too might do what the farm hands did in the story Jesus tells, namely, that we might do whatever it takes to get what we want, even if it means doing away with those in your way?
Prompt #1: Where do you see signs of greed that have so overtaken people that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want?
Prompt 2: Where in your own life do you see hints of greed so overtaking you that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want?
Lead in #2: In the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 21, the vineyard owner represents God, the vineyard represents Israel, the tenants represent Israel’s leaders, the servants represent the prophets, and the son of the vineyard owner represents Jesus. The parable speaks of both God’s patience and God’s justice.
Prompt #3: In what area of your life has God been especially patient with you?
Lead in #3: In Matthew’s parable, God plants the vineyard and then hands the vineyard over to the care of tenants. But the tenants take over the vineyard and, with vengeance, kill the landowner’s son.
Prompt #4: Has there ever been a time when, despite your best intentions, you were misunderstood. How did you handle the situation and what did you learn?
Lead in #4: In Matthew 21, Jesus uses the image of the vineyard. A vineyard yields grapes and from grapes we get wine. Pope Francis refers to the “new wine” of God’s vineyard as mercy.
Prompt #5: Reflect on your life. Have you ever had an experience that assured you that the God you believe in is a God of mercy?
Lead in #5: In Philippians 4, Paul writes to a community that is struggling with conflict and division.
Prompt #6: Think of a time when you were in a situation of conflict and division. How did you deal with the situation? What did you learn?