HOMILIES

Dear Audience,
For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!

Twenty Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)

Sep 27, 2026

336

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First Reading

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (18:25-28)

Thus says the Lord: 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? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9)

(R) Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. (R)

Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your love are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. (R)

Good and upright is the Lord; thus He shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble His way. (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (2:1-11)

Brothers and sisters: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in the heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.

Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (21:27-32)

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 he 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."

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

A father of three children came home with a toy won in a raffle. He called his children together to ask which one should have the present. He asked, "Who is the most obedient one? Who never talks back to mom? Who does everything she says? The children looked at their dad for a few seconds and shouted in unison: It's you dad, you can take the toy."

Obedience, at its core, is an action. True obedience is not just having good intentions, respect, or warm feelings for an authority figure but also carrying out the actual instructions or directives. A willing heart or positive attitude toward an authority figure is the essential starting point, but consistent follow-up and execution of instructions completes the process of obedience. Jesus teaches us in today's gospel (Matthew 21:28-32) that true obedience to God is measured by sincere actions and repentant heart rather than empty verbal promises or outward religious show.

Jesus gave this teaching during his confrontation with the religious leaders of Jerusalem, such as the chief priests and the elders, in the Temple courts just days before His crucifixion. The leaders asked Jesus by what authority He was teaching and doing certain things like casting out demons, healing the sick, cleansing the temple by driving out the merchants and money changers, cursing a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit, etc. They wanted Jesus to claim divine authority so they could accuse Him of blasphemy, or human authority so they could dismiss Him. But Jesus counter-questioned them by asking where John the Baptist's authority came from - heaven or human origin. If they answered "from heaven" Jesus would ask why they did not believe John. If they said "from men" the angry crowd would turn on them because everyone believed John was a prophet.

Trapped by their own cowardice and politics, they ultimately claimed ignorance, answering, "We do not know." Because they refused to answer His question, Jesus declined to answer their question about His authority, Matthew 21:13-27. Instead, he told three short parables - the Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32), The Parable of the Tenants (21:33-41), and The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) - so as to make them realize and confess their own spiritual hypocrisy and rejection of God's authority.

Today we read the first parable in which a father approaches his two sons individually and asks them to go and work in his vineyard but does not specify the task. Whatever the task is - whether tilling, planting, watering, pruning, weeding, or harvesting - by asking the sons to work in the vineyard, the father extends an invitation to participate in the family work, share in the common purpose, and enjoy the fruits of their labour rather than just staying observers. Any father would naturally expect both sons to reply with a respectful "Yes" and do the work. But both sons gave different replies to their father's instruction. The first son rudely answers, "I will not" but later feels sorry, changes his mind, and goes to work. The second son quickly answers, "Yes" and even respectfully addresses his father "Sir," but never actually shows up to work.

However, the father's reaction stands in stark contrast to typical human reactions. In most human dynamics, a parent or boss would respond to the first son's blunt disrespect and refusal with anger, immediate punishment, or permanent resentment and to the second son's quick verbal agreement with praise and rewards. The father in the parable neither resents or punishes the first son nor does he praise or validate the polite words and verbal agreement of the second son. Instead, he displayed quiet restraint, grace, and respect for human will, rather than reacting instantly to their initial attitudes.

After telling the parable, Jesus asks his listeners which son did the father's will, and they correctly answer that it was the first while unknowingly condemning themselves. Jesus then goes on to compare the sons to two groups of people in His time - the first son to the social outcasts and marginalized people, like tax collectors and prostitutes, and the second son to chief priests and elders - and recalls how they responded to John the Baptist's call to righteousness. John had called on people to truly repent of their sins and prepare for the Kingdom of God by turning to a life of true obedience and righteousness.

The tax collectors and prostitutes were widely known for violating fundamental parts of God's law, specifically the Ten Commandments. During the Roman occupation, tax collectors (like Zacchaeus or Matthew before his calling) were notorious for extortion. They routinely demanded money more than what was legally owed to enrich themselves. This directly broke the commandments "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15) and "You shall not covet" (Exodus 20:17). As for prostitutes, by engaging in sexual commercial work, they participated in sexual relations outside of the biblical covenant of marriage. This directly violated the commandment "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).

Therefore, Jesus points out that, like the first son, the tax collectors and prostitutes lived sinful lives, effectively saying "no" to God's ways. However, when John the Baptist came preaching repentance, they listened, turned from their sins, and believed. Their changed behaviour meant they actually did the father's work. Ironically, the religious leaders projected a public image of perfect righteousness, devoutly upholding religious laws and rituals but remained entirely verbal and superficial in their faith. So, Jesus reveals that, like the second son, these leaders claimed to serve God and looked outwardly pious, effectively saying "yes", but they rejected John's message and refused to repent.

Moreover, Jesus says that even after seeing notorious sinners transform their lives, the religious leaders remained disobedient by refusing to change their minds and believe. Thus, Jesus uses this story to warn the religious elite that the humble, repentant sinners will enter the kingdom of God ahead of them and a change of heart and actions prove genuine faith, rather than empty promises or superficial religious status.

What is the message for us?

Just like the father in the parable, God our Father approaches each of us with a personal invitation, deep respect for our freedom and boundless patience. He invites us personally and directly to labour in His spiritual vineyard, that is, God's Kingdom. God's Kingdom is a spiritual reality that has already been inaugurated by Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, offering reconciliation with God, freeing believers from the guilt of sin, and granting true inner peace and lasting happiness. However, it is not yet fully completed or visible in physical reality. Therefore, God calls us - as His adopted children and followers of Jesus - to actively participate in advancing His Kingdom on earth until it is fully realized. He calls us to make His Kingdom possible right where we are - in our own personal lives, families, communities, and workplaces - through a life of deep faith, sincere prayer, true repentance, and concrete obedience, rather than through mere words and outward religious displays.
God does not want us to sit idly, relying purely on a spoken confession or an assumed "inheritance" without living out our faith through action. Instead, He wants us to expand His Kingdom by admitting our faults and turning to Him, by aligning our daily choices with His will in both small and big moments, by sharing the Good News (the Gospel) of His love revealed through His Son Jesus Christ, by mentoring others to grow in their faith, character, and understanding of His word, by standing up against oppression, racism, corruption, and unfair treatment of vulnerable groups in society, by treating others with kindness, charity, and forgiveness, by reaching out to the lonely, isolated, elderly, hungry, and weary, by bringing hope to the hopeless, by restoring broken relationships, by fostering peace between conflicting parties, and so on.
However, when God calls us to join His work, He does not force us. Instead, He gives us the freedom to accept or refuse, just like the sons in the story. Neither son in the story fully reflects what the father hopes his children would be, since the father would have liked both his sons to respond to the initial request and carry it out. So too God is pleased when we accept His calling and obey without delay or hesitation. At the same time, when we say "no" or fail to do what He asks, He does not stop loving us nor does He cut us off immediately. Instead, He waits with open mercy and gives us the time and grace to recognize our wrongs, repent, and start doing what is right, no matter how we initially respond for He cares more about a changed life and a turned heart than a quick, empty "yes" that is never followed through. God our Father's ultimate desire is not empty words or polite promises but genuine obedience, repentance, and concrete action.
Today, we can ask ourselves if there is something that God is asking us to do, and perhaps we keep saying "No" or perhaps we haven't followed through, even after making polite promises to Him. If so, let us admit honestly to God where we have fallen short or have delayed obedience, without making excuses. Remember that God offers second chances and does not trap us in our past mistakes. Let us go beyond wishing, hoping, and even praying repeatedly for God's kingdom and its presence, love, righteousness, peace, and joy come into our hearts, homes, communities, and the wider world - as taught in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:10). Instead of waiting for the "perfect feeling", let us pick one concrete, loving action we can do right now to align with God's will. Let us allow God's grace to transform our daily choices so our actions match our faith.

It is a privilege and a gift from God that we are invited to participate in the work of His spiritual vineyard. Working with Him in His vineyard transforms us into a fuller image of Himself and fundamentally changes the world around us, so that it becomes a fitting place for His kingdom. Let us, therefore, welcome the opportunities and embrace the work He gives to us.

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

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