26th Sunday of Ordinary Times
NOT One Who Says, but....
Readings for:26th Sunday of Ordinary Times, Year A
Reading 1 Ezekiel 18:25-28
Psalm Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2 Philippians 2:1-11
Gospel Matthew 21:28-32
REFLECTIONS:… from Father Daniel
Theme of the Sunday:Not one Who Says, But one Who Does.
In the parable of the Gospel we see two kinds of attitudes among Christians today. To do the will of the Father does not man performing religious rituals, but following the commandment of love. The first reading shows us the people of Israel in exile because they did not do the will of their Father. The second reading uses another example exactly the opposite of the first. Jesus does the will of his Father unto death on the cross.
In today’s Gospel parable, we hear Jesus tell us of two sons. The one sone refuses to work for his father, but ultimately does. The other son says he will work for his father, but ultimately does. The other sone says he will work for his father, but does not. “Which of the two did his father’s will ?” The son who said “no” at first, then changed his mind and went to work. Jesus is comparing the second son to the elders and chief priests in te way they responded to John the Baptist. The religious leaders were all talk but no change. According to Jesus, even the worst sinners (tax collectors and prostitutes) listened to John the Baptist and repented. The responses of the two sons relfects two different journeys in faith. Some people experience God’s love and say they are going to share it with others, but they never do. Other people resist God’s love. They say no to the presence of God in their live. But later on they do lead loving lives. They overcome their initial resistance to God’s call- and there lies growth, grace and greatness. Again, our faith includes expressing ourselves in prayer and ritual, but it also requires that we put into action the message that Jesus has given us. IF we haven’t been living the way Jesus has taught us, it’s never too late to change things around as the young man in the Gospel shows us. Sometimes you have to go through the worst to get to the best. Life always offers you a second chance. It’s called tomorrow.
