27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Cycle A

Today’s readings speak to us about God’s vineyard.  In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah presents a beautiful vineyard carefully prepared by its owner.  He dug it, cleared it of stones, planted the best vines, and waited for good grapes.  But instead, it produced wild grapes. The vineyard represents the people of God. The owner had done everything out of love, but the people failed to respond.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants. The owner of the vineyard entrusted it to tenants, but when he sent servants to collect the fruits, they rejected them.  Finally, he sent his own son, and they killed him.

The message is clear: God has given each of us a vineyard. Our life is a vineyard. Our family

is a vineyard. Our parish and community are vineyards entrusted to us. God has given us faith,

time, talents opportunities, and countless blessings. One day, the Lord will ask us: “What

fruits have your produced?”

God does not expect us simply to occupy space in His vineyard. He expects fruits of love,

kindness, forgiveness, justice, prayer, and service.

Sometimes we behave like the wicked tenants. We begin to think that everything belongs to

us - our life, our possessions, our time. We forget that we are only stewards, not owners.

Everything we have is a gift from God.

St. Paul, in the second reading, gives us the secret of producing good fruit: “Whatever is true,

honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious...think about these things.” And above all, he tells us not

to be anxious, but to bring everything to God in prayer.

So today, let us ask ourselves: What kind of grapes is my life producing? Sweet grapes or

wild grapes?

May the Lord find in us the fruits of a holy life. Let us remember: God has planted us in His

vineyard, cared for us with love, and entrusted us with His gifts. May we never disappoint the

One who has done so much for us, but bear abundant fruit for His glory and for the good of

others.

Fr. Tomy

2026 South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal

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