Pastor’s Pen
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Times
Deacon’s Corner
In today’s scriptures, both the reading from Isaiah and Matthew focus on vineyards representing the people of God. God is reminding us through the scriptures that He is the vine grower as well as the owner of the vineyard. He refers to us as wild grapes in Isaiah and disobedient thugs in Matthew. Of course, He is referring to the people of Israel. But if we had modern day prophets and evangelists they too would be likening us to the people of Israel. I find it very ironic that at a time of great sinfulness and disobedience that the largest wine growing region in the United States is currently burning at an unprecedented rate. Napa Valley, one of this country’s great treasures, is being destroyed. Is God sending us a message? Have we as a nation and a world turned away from God? We are, it seems, like a field of wild grapes. We are out of control. We refuse to be obedient. God has given us everything and we don’t want to give Him anything in return. Freewill is a gift from God and we use it to turn away from Him.
The devil is drawing us into perdition. The devil is constantly trying to have us deny the commandments and the will of God. God is so incredibly good to us. He is always at the ready to forgive us our sins if we seek His forgiveness. We are at a time of decision. Do we desire and accept goodness or do we support evil? If we are lovers of God, and virtually all who are reading this or hearing it are exactly that, we must be God’s warriors in these times.
We are called to replant the vineyard of God with good plants that will produce good fruit. Good wine comes from good fruit. Prayer and love are the two fertilizers that will create the best of fruit that God will love. We are made in the image and likeness of God. We are given all the attributes to be like Him.
So let us grab our swords (the rosary and scripture). Let us put on the armor of God (through the Holy Spirit). We must pray strongly every day and wrap ourselves in scripture. Find the passages in scripture that fill you with love and embolden your spirit. Read them daily.
October is a great month of devotion to Mary and the Church has designated October 7 as the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary. If we want to commit ourselves to the rebuilding of the vineyard, we must do it through prayer, fasting and Holy Mass as often as possible. If we can’t make it to St. Augustine, then attend elsewhere. The website archstl.com lists all masses throughout the diocese at all times of the day. Fr. Bob has mass on Mon., Wed., and Fri., at 10a.m. St. Joseph’s in Clayton has 8 a.m. and 12 noon. St. Mary Magdalen has morning, noon and 5:30 p.m. masses. Jesus longs for us to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to receive His precious Body.
Let us choose to stand with St. Michael the Archangel and defend Heaven and earth. Pray the prayer to St. Michael for strength and protection. “St. Michael the Archangel defend us in our day of battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do, thou
O Prince of the Heavenly Host by the power of God, thrust into hell, satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.” Remember when you vote, pray first for the Holy Spirit to guide you. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done.
Love,
Deacon Ed
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