NOTES for Mat 21:33-43
Jesus describes a terrible chain of violence and murder. And the chief priests and the righteous Pharisees immediately recognize themselves in the murderers. Sadly, this says that they were, perhaps, more honest than we are. After all, the situation Jesus described has not gone anywhere. This is what has happened and still happens; it is the constant temptation of every believer: to decide that everything the Lord has given is MINE. We forget that we were appointed to preserve and increase God's gifts for His glory, and we begin to use them according to our own judgment. And we also consider God's vineyard, the Church, our own property.
How much we dislike those who do not know how to behave, who ask foolish questions and keep us from enjoying our time in church. How much we dislike those who express a point of view different from ours. After all, we know the truth; after all, the Lord has revealed everything to us. Now we have complete information and are self-sufficient... And right here it turns out that God is no longer needed. We ourselves know everything. We have read the Bible; we know how to organize the Church. He gave us everything needed; He entrusted His vineyard to us. Now we will deal with this vineyard ourselves. And in our confidence that we are right, without noticing it ourselves, we can begin to drive out those whom He sent into His vineyard. And it will turn out that in this vineyard there is no place for the master, the Lord...
But today's reading tells us what can be done. The Lord gives us His vineyard so that we may bear fruit for Him. And our only way to break this terrible chain of rejecting God is to be open to Him and to every person whom He sends to meet us.