SATURDAY (October 10, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Reading
“Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (Matthew 21:37–42)
Meditation
As Jesus continues this parable, His opponents are hooked in, and now Jesus delivers the punch—He uses Scripture to show them that they, the religious authorities, are the unbelievers. He shows them that they are the ones who kill the son. He shows them they are the ones who reject Him. He calls Himself the cornerstone. Jesus is the new Temple. Jesus is the Messiah. He is the one they have been waiting for, but they are blind and their hearts are hardened.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
O Lord, in Holy Baptism you put your Name upon Matthew. Bless him now with the forgiveness of sins and a firm trust in you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Gracious God, You gave Your Son into the hands of sinful men who killed Him. Forgive us when we reject Your unfailing love, and grant us the fullness of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer