https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100420.cfm
I quote:
Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you,
the kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit."
end quote
Vineyards often feature in Scripture story telling as a means to illustrate the presence of The Kingdom of God in the life of every human person. The produce of a vineyard produces fruit feeding all in need of life enhancing sustenance. Scriptural metaphor also provides its readers with the awareness that a vineyard rewards its workers with remuneration exceeding the grapes representing the harvest of their endeavours.
Abuse, and exploitation of our neighbours is not the monopoly of the rich, and powerful for it is also a fact of life that often those we trust most will take advantage of our faith in their friendship.
While tradition informs us that Jesus of Nazareth was a carpenter it is also a fact of life that Holy Scripture advises us that He was a tekton usually transliterated as a craftsman, stone mason, smith, shipbuilder, or sculptor for timber was imported into Palestine regarded as a luxury for the very wealthy. Even today Israel imports all its timber for its local fruit bearing trees such as oranges, lemons, nuts etc. are a valuable resource feeding its population.
King Herod Antipas reconstructed and enlarged his capital city, Sepphoris; and then made into a town the fortress Macherus, on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, rebuilding the fortress erecting a magnificent palace. It is likely that Joseph, and Jesus would have found employment as stone masons at Sepphoris.
Symbolism is important when understanding the presence of The Saviour at our side, the foundation stone underpinning our life when we choose to trust Him to shepherd us through our life. Shepherd is another well chosen term that Scripture provides for our understanding that we are secure from all harmful threats when we trust the advice that guides our daily decisions.
The Road to Emmaus story illustrates in detail that The Saviour walks at our side, despite not recognising Him. The relationship we can have with The Saviour is founded upon our faith in His friendship guiding us out of our self destructive choices, into a life guaranteed to reveal The Father's plan for our journey of self discovery:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024%3A13-35&version=NIV
1 Corinthians 10
4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.
end
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