Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 27th Week in Ordinary Time – Sunday Cycle A – Matthew 21:33-43; 45-46

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Sunday Cycle A of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time is Matthew 21:33-43; 45-46.

Entering Jerusalem for Passion Week, Christ clashes with the Jewish leadership after He clears the Temple. Responding to their challenge to His authority, Christ responds with several parables including the Parable of the Wicked Tenants which He uses to both rebuke and call the Jewish leadership to repentance.

In slightly veiled terms, the parable tells of how God has given men a fruitful earth and has sent prophets, and ultimately His Beloved Son, to call men to fruitful lives. God (A householder) has given men (tenants) a beautiful Creation (a vineyard with hedge and winepress). God, who is unseen (goes to another country), sends His prophets (servants) to call men to holy lives (produce fruit). Wicked men (Jewish leadership, evil men) abuse (beat, kill, stone) God’s prophets (servants). God (the householder) sends His Son Jesus (the son) but wicked men (Jewish leadership, evil men) kill Christ, seeking to rule the world (get the inheritance). Amazingly, when Christ questions the Jewish leadership about what God should do (the householder), they incriminate and condemn themselves (wretches) to death.

Christ quotes the 1000-year-old scripture of the “cornerstone” (Psalms 118:22-23) which cryptically refers to His Resurrection and the building of the Catholic Church. After speaking in veiled terms, Christ explicitly condemns the Jewish leadership for their lack of holiness (fruits) and reveals God will withhold His blessings from Israel and give His blessings to others (fruitful nations); ominously, Christ warns of destruction (broken to pieces, crush) to those who reject Him (omitted verse 44). The Jewish leaders finally realize Christ is condemning them but fail to act out of fear of the enthusiastic crowd.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God and Divine Prophet, Christ has inspired the Old Testament scripture and uses it to predict His Passion and His Church. Almighty King, Christ rebukes the Jewish leaders using both a well-crafted parable and ancient Scripture in a masterful oratory. Divine Judge, Christ confirms that men are judged by their fruits and some are harshly condemned.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Crowds are awed by Christ’s powerful parables, magnificent oratory and fearless condemnation of the corrupt Jewish leadership. Re-read and imagine you are witnessing Christ’s actions in today’s Gospel.  Be awed.

2) Christ accurately predicts that God will build the Catholic Church upon Christ, the cornerstone. Refresh your understanding behind the Creed’s profession, “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church” (CCC 748-810), and pray for Christ to help you grow in love and service to His Church.

3) Christ reveals that men are called to and will be judged on their fruitfulness. Review the Catechism’s summary of “Grace and Justification” (CCC 1987-2029) and pray for Christ’s grace to help you accept and do His will.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ

Virtue of the Day – Faith

Corporal Work of Mercy – To visit the sick

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To forgive all injuries