The first reading is a poem which takes the form of a parable. It describes the relationship between God and Israel. God has been faithful to His lover, Israel, and lavished her with wealth and power.

But Israel has sought other lovers, namely, other gods. Therefore, God threatens to make the nation a land of wilderness. The threat was later fulfilled when Assyria conquered Israel.

Today’s psalm appeals to the defeated people in exile: Will God allow the nations to ravage the chosen vine that once proclaimed God’s greatness? They promise to repent so that God will never turn away from them again.

The passage in the Gospel alludes to the poem in the first reading. In this case, it concerns the punishment that will be carried out on Israel’s religious and political leaders for being unfaithful tenants.

God is the owner of the vineyard, which He has leased to the religious and political leaders. Many servants (prophets) were sent by God on His behalf to the vineyard to hold the leaders accountable, but the servants were put to death. Even the owner’s son (Jesus) would suffer the same fate. As a result, God Himself will punish the tenants and lease the vineyard to others, namely to the believers of Christ.

Unlike religious and political leaders, Christians must be faithful tenants of God’s vineyard.