26 SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A 23

26TH SUNDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2023: EZEKIEL 18. 25-28; PHILIPPIANS 2. 1-11; MATTHEW 21. 28-32 Thrust: Change the mindset! Focus: Life will look different and the person will become changed when he puts on the same attitude of Christ and acts with the same mindset of God 1.  Last Sunday, the parable of the workers in the vineyard, through the generosity of the owner, invited us to put on and act with the mindset of God. This Sunday’s first reading from the prophet Ezekiel continues the same theme. 2.  This text is also a clear example of the mindset and the ways of God, in contrast to that of the world. Specifically, it is the contrast between God’s way of assessment and retribution. 3.  In ordinary human standards, God’s way is unfair, because punishing and condemning a righteous person who falls to sin, looks an excessive severity, and a gross disregard for all his past good. 4.  On the other hand, forgiving and granting life and salvation to a wicked who turns away from evil to good, looks like an exaggerated indulgence and a net disregard for the principle of justice which holds every culpable act to be punishable. 5.  The focus here is the contrasting mindset of God. The point is not so much about ignoring one’s good or indulging one’s bad. It is a beautiful indication of the blend between God’s justice and mercy, in contrast to the ordinary dichotomy between human justice and mercy: 6.  Often there is a tension and disharmony between the principles of justice and mercy, so much so justice excludes mercy, and mercy excludes justice. Consequently, one is either rigid and punitive, in the name of justice, or one is flexible and lenient, in the name of mercy. 7.  In the divine perspective under justice, the righteous who turns away from the right path, deliberately and willingly, in all freedom and intelligence, is punishable for his rushing into evil. 8.  And in the divine perspective under mercy, the wicked who turns away from evil, repenting and regaining the lost grace, is pardonable for his new espousal with good. 9.  While humans are inclined to condemnation and punishment, God is inclined to transformation and reward. Besides, human life is not a mere collection of good and bad actions, but a matter of fundamental choice which leads to either of actions. 10. Life is not to be taken in a quantitative sense, which calculates the number of good or bad actions, but life must be understood in a qualitative sense, which considers the quality and perseverance of good actions. 11. This is the same attitude, seen in Jesus, an epitome of kenosis or self-emptying. As per divine justice, he atoned for our sins, being crushed on the cross on behalf of us; and as per divine mercy, he obtained and gifted salvation for us, even though we are unworthy and undeserving. 12. We as God’s children and followers of Christ, ought to put on the same mindset of God and the same attitude of Jesus. A concrete testimony of this is a profound sense of repentance and conversion. 13. Jesus drives home this message very powerfully through his simple story of the two sons in the gospel. Quite evidently, the first son who says no at first to the father’s command but then repents and goes to work, stands for the gentiles: they repent as God offers His salvation, and turn to a new way of life through faith in Jesus. 14. But the second son, who says yes but does not do, stands for the Jews: they were the first ones, to whom God offered salvation through His only Son, Jesus; but by rejecting to believe in him, they turn unfaithful. 15. Perhaps, a little sincere reflection may make it clear to us that we are very much similar to the righteous person turning to evil in the first reading, and the second son in the gospel. 16. God has been abundantly gracious to us, blessing us with the greatest gift of faith in Jesus, and enriching us with every spiritual blessing. What is expected from our part is a life of authenticity and loyalty. 17. This is possible only when we imitate Christ’s own way of self-emptying. This needs a deep and consistent conversion. This implies what Paul exhorts in his letter to the Philippians: be humble and do nothing out of selfishness or vainglory. 18. How much do we persevere in God’s path of righteousness? How much we are self-emptying and self-giving? How often do we easily fall to vainglory and arrogance? How often do we deceive God with mere words and promises which are so tall and loud? 19. How often do we say one thing and do exactly the opposite? How often do we deliberately forfeit God’s grace, being presumptuous and complacent? It is a time to check and control! Direction: The quality of our faith and Christian living does not consist of mere words and promises, even fantastic; What is the use of a bundle of sweet-sounding "yes"s, when the concrete life is a series of "no"s, negation of what we believe? (Reflection 2) Focus: The quality of our faith is not to be measured in terms of sweet-sounding words, assurances, and promises but by concrete actions that live what we believe 1.  Jesus constantly tries to show the Jews how superficial their faith is. They say ‘yes’ to God with their lips but live ‘no’ in their lives. Their words and actions do not correspond with each other. 2.  Jesus’ example of two sons makes this point quite clear. When asked by the father to go and work in the vineyard, the first one first says, ‘no’ but then repents and changes his mind and goes and does the work. The second son says, ‘yes’ but does not go to work. 3.  The first son represents the Gentiles and other nations while the second son represents the chosen people of Israel. Israel makes promises and covenants with the Lord. 4.  They say ‘yes’ to God’s laws and statutes but they do not follow them. They say and believe one thing but they do and live just the opposite. In the words of Zephaniah 3.1-2, 9-13, these are “rebellious and defiled; they listen to no voice, accept no correction; they do not trust in the Lord or draw near to God”. 5.  But the pagans understand the value of God’s grace. They repent for their sins and turn back to God. They might have said ‘no’ initially but then their life proves ‘yes’ to God’s ways. 6.  Therefore, what is very clear is no long traditions or religious affiliations can guarantee a faithful life that is a ‘yes’ to God; nor are they sureties to obtain God’s blessings. All that matters is only repentance and a changed life from ‘no’ to ‘yes’.   Direction: Many in the present world believe that they can manage the show and manipulate the people by mere promises, tall words, and affirmations. But in God’s sight what matters the most is harmony between words and deeds (Reflection 3) Focus: Words alone will not suffice to prove our faith. Faith professed in words must be practised in actions 1.  We live in a world of empty words and false promises. There is a constant tendency to impress, and please others with good-sounding affirmations and assurances. But it is only deception in disguise, because all words, not leading to concrete actions, are only inauthentic and hypocritical. 2.  What is the use of repeating hundreds of times, “I love you”, but not understanding, not helping the other, and doing harm to the other? What is the use of promising that I will remove your difficulties, but doing nothing for that? What is the use of proclaiming that I follow God’s ways and values, but living a life of false values and compromises? 3.  Jesus drives home this message very powerfully through his simple story of the two sons in the gospel. The first son says ‘no’ at first to the father’s command, but then he repents and goes to work. Quite evidently, he stands for the Gentiles: they repent as God offers His salvation, and turn to a new way of life through faith in Jesus. 4.  But the second son, who says ‘yes’ but does not do, stands for the Jews: they were the first ones, to whom God offered salvation through His only Son, Jesus; but by rejecting to believe in him, they turn unfaithful. 5.  Perhaps, a little sincere reflection may make it clear to us that we are very much similar to the second son in the gospel. God has been abundantly gracious to us, blessing us with the greatest gift of faith in Jesus, and enriching us with every spiritual blessing. 6.  What is expected on our part is a life of authenticity and loyalty. This needs a deep and consistent conversion. How often do we deceive God with mere words and promises which are so tall and loud? How often do we say one thing and do exactly the opposite?! Direction: Mere external allegiances or titles will not bring us God’s grace and salvation. How we live must correspond to what we believe