The Book of Zechariah is set during this period of restoration and reconstruction following the Babylonian Exile. Zechariah, along with Haggai, another prophet, played a crucial role in encouraging the returning exiles to complete the rebuilding of the temple, which had been halted due to opposition and discouragement. The book provides insights into the challenges faced by the Jewish community as they sought to rebuild their city and reestablish their religious practices. As part of an introduction to the The Book of Zechariah, this post outlines the series of eight night visions that are presented in chapters 1 through 6. These visions are filled with symbolism and convey messages of God’s presence, protection, and judgment upon the nations that oppressed Israel.
Daily Archives: October 3, 2023
Matthew’s Vineyard
This coming Sunday is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Much like Isaiah 5:1-2 (the reading from the OT accompanying our gospel), Matthew’s parable has a vineyard setting (also the preceding two parables: 20:1-16, the workers in the vineyard; 21:28-32, the two sons). What does the vineyard represent? In Isaiah it represents Israel and many have assumed that that is its meaning in the gospel parable, e.g., the vineyard = Israel; the tenants = religious leaders; landowner’s slaves = prophets whom they rejected. With this interpretation, we note that the vineyard is not destroyed, but turned over to new tenants. To use another biblical metaphor, the unfaithful, greedy shepherds are removed (Mt 9:36; Ezekiel 34) and new shepherds are installed to care for the sheep. Continue reading