27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Reflection

Matthew 21:33-43

“You will never walk alone,” goes the inspiring song. Reflecting on this month of October, the thought comes to me that we should, as Catholics, always feel accompanied. On the second of the month we celebrated the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. These agents from God—pure spirits— are intended to help us all along the journey of life on earth. Each individual has an angel to watch over him.

Also, we are encouraged very often to seek the assistance of the saints, especially Our Lady. In each Hail Mary, we ask her to pray for us now and at the hour of our death. We have recourse to the intercession of several saints seeking the grace we need to carry out our Christian vocation.

In today’s Gospel, Christ is insisting that each of us ought to give good, abundant fruit. These are various acts of charity we might perform, prayers we say habitually, doing our normal tasks well and using the opportunities we have each week to spread the faith to those around us. Do we sometimes produce only “wild grapes?” Sadly, those are the moments when we lose our patience with others, slack off in our work or are afraid to stand up for God.

We will never be the good Christians God expects us to be, if we do not ask sincerely and often for heaven’s help. It is impossible to carry out our vocation without divine assistance. Each day, we should be asking our guardian angel, Our Lady and any other saint to whom we have devotion, for grace to meet our obligations.

Of course, Jesus asks us to cooperate. We have to try hard to fulfil all our duties, to have patience with others and bring our friends closer to God. But we should not rely on our own talents and abilities, our own energy and effort. That would be a bad mistake.

Try this. Every time you start work in the morning, put a small picture of Mary on your desk, or in front of the monitor at your work station. Then when you change tasks, save a document, send something to the printer or answer the phone, say (in your mind) a brief prayer like “Mother of God, Mother of mine, pray for me.” Or pray a “Memorare” or any other prayer to seek her help.

Every Catholic family should have pictures, or statues, of Our Lady in their home. When you pass by one of them, say something in your heart to Our Blessed Mother: “Pray for us sinners, now, today,” for example. Try also to remember the guardian angels when you are at lunch with your friends or colleagues. Pray to their angels and to yours. Maybe one of them will suggest something you can say that will help that person come closer to God.

Even upsetting events can be an opportunity to ask for God’s help. Perhaps when you read the newspaper, you might say a short prayer for the unfortunate people who suffer so many tragedies. At least remember to make an act of contrition to Our Lord Jesus Christ for the times he is offended when people sin.

Today is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Here are a few words from one of his letters: “It was through his archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above made known to the holy and glorious Virgin Mary that the worthy, holy and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from her womb the real flesh of our human frailty. Though he was wealthy beyond reckoning, he still willingly chose to be poor with his blessed mother… Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve.”