Gospel Reflection Sept 27 – Fr. Carter
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 21:28-32
Gospel:
Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
He said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir, ‘but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
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.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
Gospel Reflection:
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that what truly matters is not simply what we say, but how we live. The first son said “no,” but later changed his mind and went to work in the vineyard. The second son said “yes,” but never followed through. In the end, it was the first son who did his father’s will.
This Gospel gives us hope because God does not expect us to be perfect from the beginning. Sometimes we say “no” through our weaknesses, mistakes, or poor choices. Yet God always gives us the grace and opportunity to repent and turn back to Him. What matters is that we are willing to change our hearts and respond to His call.
Jesus also challenges us not to judge others by their past. Those whom society may overlook or condemn can be among the first to recognize their need for God and return to Him. True conversion is shown not merely by words, but by a changed life.
Let us ask ourselves: Am I truly saying “yes” to God, not only with my words, but through my actions? May we have the humility to change when we have gone the wrong way and the courage to follow God wherever He may call us to go.
May the Lord give us humble and willing hearts to not only say “yes,” to Him but to live out that “yes” each day. Amen.
Fr. T.A. Carter