Word from the Pastor

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
God is just and rewards the humble and repentant heart.
Ezekiel 18:25-28, Philippians 2:1-11 or 2:1-5, Matthew 21:28-32
In our Gospel today, we hear the parable about two sons who are called by their father to work in the vineyard. The first says I will not, but changes his mind; the second says Yes, sir, but doesn’t go after all. Part of the message in our readings today is that it is not enough for us to say we are following Christ; our actions must match what we say we will do. Our “yes” must mean “yes.” That’s why the son who said he would go into the vineyard, but then did not, does not do the will of his father. It is not enough to say we are following Christ; our actions must match what we say we will do.

Of course, there is ultimately only one Son who does the will of the Father perfectly: Jesus Christ. Saint Paul calls us to have the same attitude as Jesus, who humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death. Jesus’ “yes” to his Father was complete and absolute, and he followed through even though that “yes” would lead to the cross. So often in our lives we want to obey, but when obedience becomes difficult, we falter from our initial commitment. In order to persevere in obedience, we need the humility to recognize that we cannot do it on our own; we need God’s grace to remain faithful.

At other times in our lives, we may more readily see ourselves in the son who initially says he will not go to work in the vineyard and then changes his mind. Perhaps we have gone through life opposing God’s will, only to find that it’s a path that leads nowhere. Sometimes we’re the son who goes our own way, only to realize that our Father’s way is better. When we repent and change our ways returning to the path of the Father we will find life. If he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life, the prophet Ezekiel tells us. Jesus’ response about sinners entering the kingdom of God ahead of the religious leaders should give us hope. The son who changed course, overcoming his initial hesitation to do what the father asked him, was closer to the path than the son who ultimately only paid lip service to the father’s command. Jesus’ words remind us that even great sinners can enter the kingdom of heaven first, if they repent. It is never too late to return to God and to do God’s will. And perhaps paradoxically, it’s often those who repent who are the first to find their way to the kingdom. The tax collectors and prostitutes of Jesus’ day knew what their earlier “no” led to. Once they saw what saying “yes” to God offered, they became zealous in seeking it.

As we gather as disciples of the Lord at this Eucharist, we ask for the grace of humility, that we may recognize our need for the Lord’s grace to say “yes” and to remain faith ful in doing all the Lord asks of us. May this Eucharist also stir our hearts to repentance and hope, recognizing that despite our failures, at any moment, the kingdom lies open to all who turn their hearts back to God.

Rev. Fritzner J. Bellonce
Pastor