The parable of the vineyard reflects the nature of God and our relationship with our Creator.

Firstly, God trusts humans like us. Like the vineyard owner, God entrusts the vineyard to us to till and bear fruits. It is our privilege to be given this responsibility.

God in patience sends messengers, one after another, to warn us of our sins. The freedom given is not respected and honoured, and thus we fail God despite God's patience and trust. Finally, God will pass His judgment, and we have to answer for our sinfulness.

Like Joseph's brothers in the first reading, jealousy, envy, and hatred have ruled human beings' minds and hearts, resulting in violence, greed, corruption, and exploitation of both nature and humankind.

So, the attempt of the brothers of Joseph to take their brother's life is something we often see and hear today! Though we know the consequences of such evil actions, we continue to disobey our Creator and cause harm to our other brethren.

Jesus came to save us. He is the cornerstone rejected yet became the important stone (Psalm 118:22). We are eternally grateful for such an act of unconditional love by Jesus' self-sacrifice and altruist way of loving us!

During this Lenten season, let us take time to examine how we have rejected Jesus in our realities despite knowing that He came to save us.