The wicked farmers leasing a vineyard who beat and kill

the landowner's servants and son to steal the inheritance.

The landowner represents God, the vineyard represents Israel or the Kingdom of God,

and the tenants represent (chief priests, Pharisees).

The owner (God) removes the tenants and gives the vineyard to others who will produce fruit.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a*

Now Israel

" This is my Son, the Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him." 

A cloud during the Transfiguration of Jesus,

 It identifies Jesus as His beloved Son,

affirming His divine authority and commissioning the disciples

—and believers— to listen to and obey Him.  

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Genesis 12:1-4a

The Lord said to Abram,

 Jesus says, "whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me."

But who is he referring to as "the least of these?"

The rich man, become blind to the struggles of the poor and marginalized.

The chief sin of the rich man was not his wealth.

The irony is that the rich man, endowed with abundant resources, could have helped many.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Jeremiah 17:5-10

This is what the Lord says,

"Forgiveness": Forgiveness does not mean condoning,

forgetting, or excusing the behavior.

Reflecting on personal faults can help create empathy for the offender.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Deuteronomy 26:16-19

On this day,

 I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN NOT LIVE AS A VIRGIN.

IF I HAD A THOUSAND LIVES,

I WOULD SACRIFICE THEM ALL TO REMAIN A VIRGIN
                                                   - Saint Casimir

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Jeremiah 18:18-20

Then, they said,

True worship, pleasing to God,  involve reconciliation.

Empathy and Listening: Sincerely listening to

the other party’s perspective to understand the impact of the actions.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 18:21-28

If the sinner

IF WE WISH TO SERVE GOD AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR WELL,

WE MUST MANIFEST OUR JOY IN THE SERVICE WE RENDER TO HIM AND THEM.

LET US OPEN WIDE OUR HEARTS. IT IS JOY WHICH INVITES US.

PRESS FORWARD AND FEAR NOTHING.

                                      -Saint Katharine Drexel

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

Hear the warning

God shapes us through prayer

by transforming our hearts, minds, and character,

bending our will to align with His,

and cultivating patience, resilience,

and dependence on Him.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

Seized with anguish

 Acknowledging that we are flawed like everyone else is a freeing, 

humbling truth that fosters empathy, personal growth, and self-acceptance.

Embracing our imperfections can lead to a less judgmental life.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Daniel 9:4b-10

I prayed to the Lord,

The sign of Jonah points to Jesus by typologically foreshadowing his death, burial, and resurrection.

Just as Jonah was in the belly of a great fish for three days and three nights before being "resurrected"

Jesus spent three days and nights in the heart of the earth before rising.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Jonah 3:1-10

The word