David

The gospels are full of great stories; and this Sunday’s extract is no exception. It all hinges on a “trick question”. The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to tempt Jesus into committing a political faux pas.

The image of the abundant, fulfilling feast is used throughout the scriptures to explain God’s promise of eternal life. On the mountain of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah says in today’s first reading, God will “provide for all peoples a feast of juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.”

In today’s gospel, Jesus chastises the Chosen People’s religious leaders of his day, putting a very sobering message before them.

Many parents today could empathise with the father asking each of his two sons to work in their vineyard. It is not an unreasonable request. Presumably their livelihood relies on the income from the vineyard, and the father speaks not harshly but with affection, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.”