Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28 / Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
The phrase “a chip off the old block” is an expression used of people who closely resemble their parents in some way.
And usually, it refers to how a son resembles his father, not just in looks, but also in character and personality.
And more than that, it also refers to the relationship between the father and the son.
A father loves his son, and he won’t send his son to do something dangerous or risk his son’s life.
When Israel sent his son Joseph to his brothers who were in the fields, he thought that it would be good for him to be with his brothers.
Israel would never have thought that because he loved Joseph more than all his other sons, they would have a deep hatred against Joseph.
So, when Joseph came to them, they had wanted to kill him, but later, they sold him off as a slave.
In the gospel parable, the landowner had thought that by sending his son to the tenants, they would respect him. But instead they killed him.
Today’s readings would make us reflect about God who sent His only Beloved Son to save us from our sins and to teach us how to love.
By sending His Son into this sinful and wicked world, God showed how much He loves us.
Let us open our hearts to Jesus, let us learn how to love from Him, and we will truly be children of God.