• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral

  • About Us
  • What’s On
  • Opening Hours
  • Safeguarding
  • About Us
  • What’s On
  • Opening Hours
  • Safeguarding

Exploring the Sunday Gospel – Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

Welcome > News > Exploring the Sunday Gospel – Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
Posted on October 6, 2023

Today is the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity. The reading from Matthew’s Gospel continues the confrontation between Jesus and the chief priests and elders of the people that followed from Jesus’ actions on Palm Sunday and his removal of the money changers from the temple. In this passage Matthew is also anticipating the significance of the crucifixion and he does so through the parable of the vineyard. Through the imagery of the Old Testament, the vineyard had become an established symbol for God’s people. This parable spells out how the tenants had killed the owner’s son. Then it invites the listeners to pass judgement on the tenants in the story. In so doing the listeners pass judgement on themselves. God will entrust the vineyard to others.


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of vineyards. In today’s picture from his book, The Song, Teddy Horsley is exploring what it might be like to plant a vineyard in his own garden and to be responsible for its cultivation.


Lord Jesus Christ,
you call us to work in your vineyard.
Make us worthy of our calling,
that we may grow good fruit for you;
now and always.
Amen.


Next Sunday is the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. In the Gospel reading Matthew is still
preparing his readers for Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, and for an interpretation of the
momentous event. He does so through the parable of the invitations to the wedding feast.

The image to help prepare for this theme is party invitation. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.

Prayer Request

Would you like to submit a prayer request? You can do so here.


Notice Sheet

Would you like to sign up to receive the Cathedral’s weekly notice sheet? You can do so here.

Previous Post:Liverpool Cathedral sets new world record!
Next Post:Stained Glass Window Competition

Sidebar

More Like This
All News
8 May 2025
Fourth Sunday of Easter – Exploring the Sunday Gospel

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, when the Gospel reading is part of John’s teaching about Jesus as the …

16 April 2025
Easter Sunday – Exploring the Sunday Gospel

Today is Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection  Christ is risen!  Christ is risen, indeed, alleluia.  The Gospel reading for …

10 April 2025
Palm Sunday – Exploring the Sunday Gospel

Today is Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday introduces us to the events of Holy Week, beginning with Jesus’ triumphal entry into …

27 March 2025
The Third Sunday of Lent – Fourth Sunday of Lent

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s parable of the two sons. Chapter 15 …

13 March 2025
The Second Sunday of Lent – Exploring the Sunday Gospel

Today is the Second Sunday of Lent, when the Gospel reading begins to prepare us for Holy Week and Good …

5 March 2025
First Sunday of Lent – Exploring the Sunday Gospel

Today is the First Sunday of Lent. All three synoptic Gospels portray Jesus’ ministry beginning with a period of forty …

Sign up to our newsletter

Safeguarding at Liverpool Cathedral
  • About the Cathedral
  • Education at the Cathedral
  • Cathedral Music
  • Exploring Faith
  • News
  • Accessibility
  • Visiting the Cathedral
  • Upcoming Events
  • Tours
  • Dining
  • Cathedral Shop
  • How to Find Us
  • Contact Us
  • Policies
  • Venue Hire
  • Support Us
  • Vacancies
  • Cookie Preferences

Liverpool Cathedral is a registered Charity 1205970

Follow Us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Association of English cathedrals
Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Liverpool
Churches Together in Merseyside
Visit England Gold Visitor Attraction 2021-22.
Visit Liverpool
Tripexpert Experts' Choice Award - Reviews you can trust