Scripture Reflection, September 27, 2026, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 18:25-28 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32

(Photo by: David Kohler - Unsplash)

Today's gospel parable presents us with two sons. A father asks one son to work in his vineyard and is answered with a "no". Later we hear the son changed his mind and did as his father asked. When the father asked another son the same thing, this son agreed right away but never followed through. Jesus asks the chief priests and elders to decide which of the sons did the father's will and of course they chose the first son, the son who changed his initial "no" to a "yes".

As a mother who has uttered the words "Please clean your room” more times than I can count, I always hope for a third option. What I'd really like is a “Yes,” followed by a clean room. Obedience without the sass!

That third option is the Jesus response. In his words and in his deeds he always said "yes" to the reign of God. Paul tells us, “Jesus was not alternately yes and no. Jesus was never anything but yes.” That is our goal, to respond to the leadings of the Spirit promptly and consistently, in word and deed.

But what if we miss the mark? What if, despite our initial good intentions, we fail to follow through? What if we sin?

Then today's scriptures give us hope. Our first reading, from Ezekiel, tells us that if a sinner “turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life. “ And in the gospel Jesus points out that tax collectors and prostitutes, folks his audience would be quick to name as sinners, are "entering the kingdom of God before you. “

Today's gospel should comfort and encourage us. It's never too late to turn around, to change our "no" into a "yes". It's never too late to help make God's will a reality on earth as it is in heaven.

by: Pat Schnee, OPA