Gospel for October 4 2026 – Matthew 21:33–43
Gospel Reflections for October 4 2026
You want change?
Maybe you want new national policies, or economic programs, or an end to the Ukraine and Iran wars.
All are good causes, but how you make changes is important. Today’s Gospel offers a successful path that is intelligent, peaceful, and non-violent.
A farmer owns great farmland. That was the most valuable thing a person could have at that time. Fertile land meant a great harvest, and since famines were frequent, productive land was cherished.
A good farmer would focus his efforts carefully to ensure his land provided food for his family. That kind of intelligent and directed focus is effective.
Unfortunately, this farmer places bad tenants in charge …who soon neglect their work. They wanted a change in how things were done and even mistreat other workers.
The farmer wisely sends messengers directly to those tenants to change their ways, but they are violently mistreated. Finally, the son of the farmer is sent …and they even kill him!
The farmer sent his message directly to those bad workers. That clear focus on how to make a change is important. Change is more likely when focused on the correct cause of the problem. That takes intelligent reflection. Impulsive violence always makes things worse, and those tenants who used violence came to a bad end. They did not get the change they wanted.
This son of the owner in the story is, of course, Our Lord, and He was sent directly to change sinful people in a non-violent way. Our Lord deeply loved even those who rejected Him. He offered a message of love for people to freely choose or not choose His path to salvation.
This Sunday also remembers St. Francis of Assisi. Very few people have ever made such a massive impact on world history as St. Francis, and he did it all with respect and love for all people, even his enemies.
Everyone has ideas these days about how to change our nation. Wonderful! Nothing wrong with that. But always respectfully listen to all views and calmly make up your own mind. This is also a time to listen to Our Lord, who knows more about the right solutions than anyone!
The early Church faithfully followed His way, and in just a few generations, even the violent Roman Empire had converted to Catholicism. That is a remarkable change!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
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