LET US KILL HIM

First Reading Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-28 

Let us kill him: then we shall see what becomes of his dreams

Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him. But his brothers, seeing how his father loved him more than all his other sons, came to hate him so much that they could not say a civil word to him. Readings

His brothers went to pasture their father’s flock at Shechem. Then Israel said to Joseph, ‘Are not your brothers with the flock at Shechem? Come, I am going to send you to them.’ So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Lectures

They saw him in the distance, and before he reached them they made a plot among themselves to put him to death. ‘Here comes the man of dreams’ they said to one another. ‘Come on, let us kill him and throw him into some well; we can say that a wild beast devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams.’ ........ 

Responsorial Psalm: Remember the wonders the Lord has done

Gospel Matthew 21:33-43,45-46 

This is the landlord's heir: come, let us kill him

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures: Reflections

It was the stone rejected by the builders

that became the keystone.

This was the Lord’s doing

and it is wonderful to see?

 

‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

 

When they heard his parables, the chief priests and the scribes realised he was speaking about them, but though they would have liked to arrest him they were afraid of the crowds, who looked on him as a prophet.

My God, my Father deliver me from my enemies. Deliver  from hatred by those I love and trust, from those I have sacrificed for and hate me for no reason. Deliver me Father from evil plots. Father I do not know the secrets in the hearts of men. My God I will do good, I will aspire for purity of heart and intention. I seek the goodness and well being of your creatures. Father remove from my heart any hatred or jealousy. Fill my heart with your love and goodness. Loving Father thank you for the wonders you have done in my life.

Lord Jesus Christ make my heart like your. Make my heart like your Blessed Mother's heart, and her spouse Saint Joseph. May no evil dominate my heart, my being and my actions.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary come to my help. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Guardian Angels pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Guide and guard me. Be my protection.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Virgin Mary Queen of Sorrows pray for us.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Cyril of Jerusalme, Bishop and Doctor. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday.