HOMILY for October 8, 2017: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

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27^th Sunday OT A

Quebec Cruise on Crystal Cruise Line

October 8, 2017

Mirror Parables ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Parables – very powerful 4 teaching, & long after hearing they’ll recall point were trying 2 make

Ø  1 effective form is Mirror Parable, in which a story is subtly told and engages the listener who comes up with an answer that, in the end, is self-incriminating

Ø  J knows power of parables & uses Mirror Parable today to get peoples’ attention, to startle or surprise them, and most importantly, to challenge them

THE TENANTS AND THE VINEYARD ++++++++++++++

Ø  Parable of Tenants & Vineyard is a Mirror Parable

Ø  I.e. acts like a verbal mirror. They R told & hearer begins to say, “Who’s he talking about?”

Ø  And like looking in a mirror, they are able to see something of ourselves in the story

Ø  Tenants of vineyard reject each of the servants sent by owner to collect his share of the grapes

Ø  Finally, even kill owner’s son when he sends him

Ø  The shift comes when Jesus asks hearers, “What’ll owner of vineyard do 2 tenants when he comes?”

Ø  Remember their response? “He’ll put wretched men to death & lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.”

Ø  Jesus’ hearers don’t mind story, until they begin to themselves in the parable, as if in a mirror

Ø  The servants represent the prophets and the owner’s son represents, Jesus, who’s telling it

Ø  “Yikes! He’s talking about us” they realize! They’ve incriminated selves w/ very own words!

Ø  Parables R very powerful 4 teaching imp lessons

Application +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  The vineyard you’ve been given is your marriage, family, work, social circles

Ø  Your vineyard is the encounters God has had with you, your gifts and talents, your resources

Ø  J reminds U, you’re tenant, holder of precious gifts & how have U tended them, grown them, brought them to fruition are the questions he puts to you

Conclusion +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Our hearing them in a new way perhaps 4 first time is to challenge us to live our lives because we can see ourselves mirrored in the parable

Ø  Might our response be, “Who me, Lord!”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++