26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Ezekiel 18:25-28
The name “Ezekiel” means “may El (God) strengthen.” He grew up in a priestly family, in Jerusalem. He was familiar with the Temple, and must have known Jeremiah. During the second deportation to Babylon in 597 B.C., he was taken with others to Tel-Abib (near Nippur). He was married and had his own house, but his wife died about 587, some five years after the beginning of his prophetic mission. His ministry covered the period of 592 to 571 B.C. He never returned to Jerusalem except in visions. The book of Ezekiel falls into three sections: Chapters 1 through 24 contain his call and prophecies of doom against Judah and Jerusalem. These were given prior to 586 when the Temple was destroyed. Chapters 25 through 32 are oracles against foreign nations, arranged, with the exception of Egypt, in geographical and chronological order. Chapters 33 through 48 contain prophecies of restoration. In our reading today, which predates the destruction of the Temple, Ezekiel while lamenting Judah’s abandonment of the covenant as a nation, points out that each person is responsible for himself and his actions. 25 You say, “The LORD’S way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? To be a follower of God and to do what He wants you to do instead of what you want to do, means giving up things of self-pleasure. It is not fair that I should give up all sorts of creature comforts – those things that draw my thoughts away from God. 26 When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. 27 But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; 28 since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. This is an early reference to a life after death. It is also a clear example of individual responsibility rather than a corporate responsibility (see Exodus 20:5). 1
2nd Reading - Philippians 2:1-11
Last week we began our study of Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In that reading, we heard Saint Paul describe his own situation. After this reflection on his situation, we now hear Paul exhort the Philippians to steadfastness, harmony, humility, and obedient selflessness. In their witness to Christ they should strive to conform themselves to Him. 2:1 If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, Paul affectionately appeals to the Philippians by what they should prize most – if union with Christ means anything, it should be an encouragement, an incentive of life, to which he can appeal. any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, Fellowship between Christians rests on a common participation (Greek: kiononein); as he says in 1:5, a “partnership in the gospel.” Here, the common participation is in the Spirit, compassion, and mercy. 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Their mind set results in a determined pattern of behavior. There is only one Christ, one
Gospel - Matthew 21:28-32
Last week we heard the parable of the workmen and the vineyard: a story of discipleship and the Jewish people. Jesus has taught that His followers will be first in the kingdom and that God’s first possession, Israel, will be the last. Jesus is now about one week away from His passion, death, and resurrection. As we join Him today, He has made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem accompanied by shouts of “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”. He continues His teaching of the disciples, now in the Temple courts. While He is teaching, He has been approached by the chief priests and the elders (representatives of the Sanhedrin) who question where He gets His authority. He has replied that His authority comes from John’s baptism; then asks them if this authority is from heaven (in which case, why didn’t they believe Him) or from man (in which case, they will offend the many followers of John)? Those questioning Him refuse to answer so Jesus illustrates His point with a parable. [Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:] 28 “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. The distinction here is not between Jews and Gentiles, but between two kinds of Jews: faithless leaders and faithful outcasts. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ Recall from last week’s parable that the vineyard is symbolic of God’s chosen people, His kingdom on earth. 29 He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. He did the will of the Father (see Matthew 7:21). 30 The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did his father’s will?” 4 Which one was obedient? Obedient faith is always the final test for Matthew. They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. These people are, as a class, considered ignorant and unclean sinners – they were public sinners. This is a very harsh teaching, that public sinners will enter God’s heavenly kingdom before those who consider themselves righteous. 32 When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. They saw the need to repent of their evil ways and did so. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him. The leaders, by contrast, thought themselves righteous and did not see the need to repent and be reconciled with the Father. This parable has a counterpart in the gospel of Luke called “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.”
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St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org