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After Pentecost     Pentecost 17     Matthew 21:33-46, particularly verses 33-39, 45-46

Workers in the Vineyard (YA No 71)

A master of the story line,

A guru of his day;

We know that Jesus told some tales

In his confronting way.

A vineyard leased to tenants sets

A context that is grim;

The owner sent his slaves to get

The harvest due to him.

The tenant workers kill the slaves;

Their actions are unchecked;

“I’ll send my son.” The owner said;

“To him they’ll show respect.”

The tenants killed the owner’s son;

Self-int’rest was their creed;

“The vineyard now belongs to us.”

The murder fed their greed.

The chief priests and the Pharisees –

They heard what Jesus said;

They knew he was condemning them;

They wished to see him dead.

We are now tenants of God’s realm;

Which tenants are the best?

Compassion and inclusiveness 

Of Jesus is the test.

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