27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A - October 8, 2023

The readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time for Year A focus on discipleship and our choice to follow Jesus or not. In the first reading Israel is warned that they must be faithful. The psalm begs God to return to the vineyard and care for it once again. The second reading encourages Christians to continue along the path that Jesus has shown us. And in the gospel Jesus tells the parable of the tenants, who rejected the landowner.
 
Theme:

• Parable of the Vineyard: The parable of the vineyard highlights the theme of God’s ownership and care over His creation. The vineyard symbolizes God’s kingdom, and the tenants represent humanity’s responsibility to steward it.

• Rejection of Messengers: The theme of rejecting God’s messengers is evident as the tenants mistreat and kill the servants sent by the owner. This reflects the historical pattern of disregarding God’s messages and messengers.

• Sending the Son: The owner’s decision to send his son underscores the theme of God’s ultimate outreach. Sending His Son, Jesus, reflects God’s desire to restore the relationship with humanity through a new covenant.

• Crucial Choice and Accountability: The theme of choice and accountability emerges as the tenants plot to seize the inheritance. Their decision leads to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of right choices and their consequences.

• Transfer of Responsibility: The transfer of responsibility from unfaithful tenants to others underscores the theme of God’s plan for redemption. This symbolizes the transition from the Jewish covenant to the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s kingdom.

• Rejected Stone and Cornerstone: The reference to the stone rejected by the builders becoming the cornerstone illustrates the theme of God’s sovereignty. This emphasizes that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail, even if initially rejected by people.

 
Entrance:
1.      Diosnong Magtutudlo
2.      Tanang Katawhan (Salmo 46)
3.      Sa Hapag ng Panginoon (Morano, Francisco) prioritize stanza 2
4.      Purihi’t Pasalamatan (Esteban, Hontiveros)
5.      Magnificat (Haas) stanza 2 is swak
6.      All my Days (Schutte, Murray) stanza 4 prioritize
 
Readings:

• First Reading – Isaiah 5:1-7: “: A friend cultivates a vineyard with great care but gets wild grapes. He questions what more he could have done and decides to abandon the vineyard, letting it turn into a wasteland. This vineyard is an allegory for the house of Israel, where expected justice turns to chaos.

• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 80: The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

God planted a vine from Egypt, cleared the land, and let it flourish. Then, its walls were broken, making it vulnerable to beasts and trespassers. A plea is made for divine care and restoration so that the vine, representing Israel, will thrive and its people will be saved.

• Second Reading – Philippians 4:6-9: Don’t worry, but instead bring your concerns to God through prayer. When you do, God’s peace will guard your heart and mind. Focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, and lovely. By following this guidance and emulating good examples, you’ll find peace.

• Gospel – Matthew 21:33-43: A landowner leases a vineyard but the tenants mistreat his servants and kill his son. When asked, the elders agree that the owner will evict these tenants and find new ones. Jesus warns that those who reject the cornerstone will lose the kingdom of God.

 

Offertory:
1.      Pagdaygon Ka Dios (E1)
2.      O Dios Dawata (Koro Viannista)
3.      Pag-aalay (Francisco)
4.      Ang Tanging Alay Ko “buong buhay ko”
5.      Prayer for Generosity (Arboleda) “to fight and not to heed the wounds”
6.      Take and Receive
 
Communion:
1.      Ang Kinabuhing Mahinungdanon
2.      Hain Ka Gugma? “it’s a good choice”
3.      Ama Kong Mahal (Aquino) 
4.       Pagkakaibigan (Cenzon, Abad-Santos) Best choice. 
5.      Sa ‘Yong Piling (Castro, Villaroman) 
6.      Likhain Mong Muli (Alejo, Francisco)
7.      Here I am Lord (Schutte)
8.      Now We Remain (Haas)
9.      Your Heart Today (Francisco)
 
Recessional:
1.      Pagbanwag
2.      O Rayna sa Rosaryo (since we are now on the month of Rosary)
3.      Tanda ng Kaharian ng Dios (Morano, Francisco)
4.      Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosario
5.      Stella Maris (Borres, Francisco) stanza 3 prioritize it
6.      O Bayan ng Dios (Aquino) stanza 3 prioritize
7.      Tell the World of His Love (Bellamide)
8.      Come with Praise (Schutte)