Day 10: March 5

Readings:

And He began to say to them in parables, A man planted a vineyard, and placed a hedge around it, and dug a wine vat, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went abroad. And at the time he sent to the farmers a servant, that he might receive from the farmers of the fruit of the vineyard. But they, having taken him, beat him, and sent him out empty. And again he sent out to them another servant, and these having stoned him, they wounded him in the head, and sent him out dishonored. And again he sent out another, and him they killed, and many others, indeed beating some, and killing some. Therefore having yet one son, his beloved, he sent him also to them last, saying, They will have respect for my son. But those farmers said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours. And having taken him, they killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What then shall the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others. (Mark 12:1-9)

The “vineyard which the man planted,” signifies the church that is in truths; the “servants whom he sent thrice,” mean the Word given them through Moses and the prophets...”The beloved son” means the Lord in respect to Divine truth, who is therefore called also the Word; “they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him” signifies killing not only the Lord, but also all Divine truth from Him (Apocalypse Explained 315:22)

Reflection:

We are also the vineyard keepers in the sense that we have been given access to the truths of the Word in the church. If we use the Word for selfish purposes, or even just ignore and neglect the Word, we are not good stewards. How do we give the Lord the fruit of the vineyard?

previous		next