The Good Action is not overlooked

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today take us to episodes where the good people suffer hardship as they do the right thing. Tobit is moved to be compassionate to the poor in his community of exiles under oppression from the Assyrians. The scorn of his neighbours is heaped upon him for his daring action to maintain the respect for the lives and death of his people. The psalmist proclaims the praise of the righteous who are compassionate, generous, merciful and just. The model set by such people is praised by the psalmist and peace and remembrance is the fruit of this life. The Gospel of Mark tells of the tenants of the vineyard who do not attend to the will of the owner. They decide on that their fortunes are better realized by an attempt to run the vineyard according to their plan which included the murder of the son of the vineyard owner. Mark records Jesus declaration that the “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone ”. This expression and idea is found in several locations in the Bible. The religious authorities understand that Jesus is presenting the paradox that His life embodies and that gives hope to many who like Jesus and Tobit know the rejection that may accompany hearing and following the path of righteousness which is written in our being through the indwelling Spirit.