Why so many parables? They have been coming at us, it seems, week after week during this liturgical cycle of readings, and all from the Gospel of Matthew. The common theme of all the parables really dramatize how God, through His Son Jesus, is always pursuing our rebellious hearts and asking us to turn back to him freely.

That’s basically the point of the parable of the tenants as well. It’s really an allegory of the concrete ways in which God has intervened in our history to save us, making us heirs of his Kingdom along with his Son, Jesus. 

We see the patience and the innocence of the Master (who is really God, himself) who does not grow angry even though his efforts are rejected over and over again. Even the last attempt to send His Son—and we might even think: isn’t this master a bit too naive? 

But there is something else here to consider: Jesus knows, as he’s telling this parable that he is speaking of himself and predicting his own death on the cross. But he is prepared to meet this fate in freedom and peace because he is confident in the promises of His Father that through this Crucifixion will come the New Life of the Resurrection.

So, what is the message that comes to us in the parable? God is trying to break through with each of us; to pursue our rebellious hearts so that we may turn back to him freely.

  It is comforting for us to know that Jesus does not give up on us. In the end, what will win out over all these refusals of ours will be God’s overwhelming love and mercy. Sin is conquered through Christ’s death on the cross and we are saved. As St. Paul says in his Letter to the Romans: “But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” We pray to be open to receive the grace that conquers sin!