Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year October 01, 2023
Ezekiel 18:25-28
Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew
21:28-32
We build our own life, don’t we?
We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than
our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the
house we have built. If we could do it over, we'd do it much differently. We
always get invitations to do good. God invites us to embrace his love and
mercy. Why not listen to the invitation wholeheartedly and build our houses (lives)
wisely?
In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus tells a parable about
two sons. A father asks his two sons to go and work in the vineyard. The first
son initially refuses but later goes and works. The second son agrees to go but
does not follow through. Jesus then asks which of the two sons did the will of
the father, and the people rightly respond that it was the first son.
This parable teaches us an essential lesson about repentance
and conversion. The first son represents those who, at first, may have turned
away from God's call but later come to their senses, repent, and obey God's
commandments. The second son, on the other hand, symbolizes those who make
empty promises, saying they will follow God's way but do not actually do so.
How often do we find ourselves in the position of these two
sons? Are we quick to say "yes" to God but slow to act on our
promises? Or have we, at times, been hesitant to respond to God's call but
ultimately turned towards Him in repentance and obedience?
In the parable, it is the first son's change of heart and
willingness to obey that matters most. God values our genuine repentance and
transformation over empty words and promises. We should never underestimate the
power of God's grace to lead us back to Him when we have strayed.
The first reading further emphasizes the importance of
repentance and conversion. The prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God's ways are
just and fair. God does not desire the death of the sinner but rather that they
turn away from their wickedness and live. Our God is a God of second chances,
eager to welcome us back when we return to Him with contrite hearts.
As we reflect on these readings, we might ask ourselves:
What areas of our lives need conversion and renewal? Are there sins or behaviours
that we need to let go of in order to more fully embrace God's love and mercy?
In today's world, there are many distractions and
temptations that can lead us away from God's path. Materialism, selfishness,
and the pursuit of worldly success can easily consume our lives and push God to
the margins. But God's invitation to repentance and conversion is always open.
No matter how far we have strayed, we can turn back to Him and find forgiveness
and new life.
Let us remember that God's invitation to repentance,
conversion, and a life of faith is always extended to us. We may have moments
of hesitation or even defiance, like the first son in the parable, but God's mercy
is always ready to embrace us when we turn back to Him.
Let us also reflect on the words of St. Paul and strive to
imitate Christ's humility and selflessness in our daily lives. In a world
filled with division and selfishness, our commitment to love and serve others
can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
As we continue our journey of faith, may we be like the
first son in the parable, willing to repent and obey God's call, and may we
imitate Christ's humility and selflessness in all that we do. In this way, we
can truly embrace God's invitation and experience the fullness of His love and
mercy in our lives.
Happy Sunday
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