First Reading
Isaiah 5:1-7

1. Isaiah sings about his friend’s vineyard: “Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?” What kind of “grapes” will God find in your vineyard?

2. What are some things you could do if you discovered that all the “grapes” in your spiritual garden were turning out small or sickly?

Second Reading
Philippians 4:6-9

1. How do you feel about the God of peace standing guard over your mind and heart? What does St. Paul say takes the place of the anxiety and the worries? Is this true for you?

 2. What are all people of good will reaching for when they embrace “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, … anything worthy of praise”? What can you embrace if you are tied up with anxieties? Discuss.

Gospel
Matthew 21:33-43

1. Who are God’s messengers right now? What changes in society do they advocate? How can you somehow be God’s envoy in your community, work, Church or the world? Can you move toward changes in society?

2. In his morning meditation on the Wicked Tenants, the Pope suggested that we think about “what we can do so as not to kill the Word of God, … to not lock up the Holy Spirit.” Would his words at the end of the meditation help you? How?

[May] the Lord grant us the grace of humility to look upon Jesus as the Savior who speaks to us: he speaks to me! Each one of us ought to say: he speaks to me! When we read the Gospels: he is speaking to me!

The Imprisoned Word
March 21, 2014