4 October 2026 · No. 99
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
“What Fruit Are We Producing for the Lord?”
Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43
The readings of today place before us a beautiful but challenging image: we are God’s vineyard. In Isaiah, the Lord lovingly plants and cares for his vineyard, expecting it to produce good grapes, but it produces only wild grapes. In the Gospel, Jesus tells of a landowner who entrusts his vineyard to tenants and expects its fruits. In both readings, the message is clear: God gives us much, and He expects a harvest in return.
God has richly blessed us as individuals, families and as a parish community. He has given us the gift of faith, our families, our children and young people, our land and possessions, our talents, our schools, our Small Christian Communities and countless opportunities to serve Him. The question is not simply whether we have received blessings, but whether our blessings are producing good fruit.
What fruits does the Lord expect? Saint Paul points us towards a life of prayer, peace and goodness: whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely and worthy of praise, we are to think about and practise. For us, these fruits must be seen concretely in love, forgiveness, honesty, generosity, reconciliation, hard work, solidarity and care for the vulnerable.
Our present situation makes this call especially urgent. In a community wounded by insecurity, displacement, poverty and uncertainty, Christians cannot remain mere spectators. We are called to become instruments of peace and reconciliation. In our families, let us reduce quarrels and increase forgiveness. In our Small Christian Communities, let no suffering neighbour be forgotten. In our schools, let us educate not only intelligent children but also young people with strong consciences and a commitment to the common good. Let us encourage our youth to reject violence, hatred and hopelessness and to become builders of a better society.
Our 2026 Harvest Thanksgiving also gives us a practical opportunity to respond to God’s generosity. We are not simply bringing agricultural produce or material offerings to church; we are expressing gratitude and returning a portion of what God has entrusted to us. May our thanksgiving be generous and sincere, while remembering those who have little. A fruitful Christian community does not celebrate abundance while ignoring a struggling neighbour.
The Lord is also looking for fruit in our concern for vulnerable children and families. When we help a child remain in school, support a distressed family, visit the suffering, or assist someone who has been left behind, we are producing fruit for God’s vineyard. The vineyard belongs to God. We are only His stewards. Let us therefore ask ourselves this Sunday: What fruit is my life producing? What fruit is my family producing? What fruit is our parish producing? May the Lord find in Christ the King Parish not wild grapes of division, selfishness and indifference, but a rich harvest of faith, peace, justice, reconciliation, generosity and love.