The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 2, 2005
The Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20
Philippians 4:6-9
Matthew 21:33-43

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit." (see Mt 21:33-43)

Jesus explains to the chief priests and elders, through this vineyard parable, that those to whom the Owner’s kingdom was entrusted, killed His servants and then His heir, expecting to “acquire His inheritance.” The Owner “will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease His vineyard to other tenants who will give Him the produce at the proper times."

Directed to those first entrusted to lead God’s people, now each baptized soul must heed His expectation. One cannot despise, reject and eradicate from one’s life, the Source for all that one is and has. One is expected to produce a return on what one receives. The Trust is taken back and given to those who will produce fruit.

The life that is murderously refused, becomes the cornerstone upon which is built the very Body incorporate, each soul that remains in Christ, His Church; “…by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes…” Baptized and incorporated into His very self, one graciously serves Him as a ‘priest, prophet and king’, and shares His labor to bounteously produce the fruit of souls for God’s kingdom to His honor.

O Lord, we are so wonderfully blessed to be one in You; to be entrusted to share in Your labor to bring souls to the harvest. Grace us to recognize this great gift we receive, united in You, and help us labor tirelessly to produce to Your honor and glory, the building of Your Kingdom. Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)