Dear friends in Christ,
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
The Word of God this Sunday invites us to look at our lives as a vineyard entrusted to us by the Lord. In Isaiah’s “The Song of the Vineyard,” God lovingly prepares His vineyard and patiently waits for good fruit. Yet, instead of justice and righteousness, He finds only wild grapes. In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns to this same image and reminds us that we are not owners of the vineyard but faithful stewards.
What a beautiful and challenging reminder for each of us and for our parish community! God has blessed us abundantly. He gives us His Word, the Sacraments, the Eucharist, one another, and countless opportunities to serve. What fruit is He finding in our lives? Are we growing in love, mercy, forgiveness, generosity, and concern for those who are hurting?
St. Paul gives us a practical way forward: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” When we bring our worries and struggles to the Lord, especially in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, His peace begins to transform our hearts. From that peace comes the grace to live what we believe.
October, the month of the Holy Rosary, gives us a beautiful opportunity to remain close to Jesus with Mary. As we pray the Rosary, let us bring before the Lord our families, our parish, the sick and lonely, those who have lost their way, and the needs of our world. Mary always leads us back to her Son – Jesus.
This October 4, as we celebrate St. Francis of Assisi and the special Jubilee Year dedicated to him, may we also rediscover his love for Christ, the poor, creation, and the Gospel. His life reminds us that holiness becomes visible when faith is translated into loving service.
As we gather around the Eucharistic table this Sunday, may Jesus Christ nourish us and prune away whatever prevents us from bearing good fruit. May our parish become a vineyard where faith flourishes, mercy is practiced, and Christ’s love is shared generously. May the Lord Jesus find in us a harvest of love, peace, justice, and holiness. Amen
God loves you!
~ Fr. Neil