Choose Me

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sept 28
First reading                                        Ezekiel 18:25-28
The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘You object, “What the Lord does is unjust.” Listen, you House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust? When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.’

Psalm                                                Psalm 24:4-9

Second reading                               Philippians 2:1-11

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we
have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and 
united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing 
which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no 
conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better 
than yourself, So that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other 
people’s interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:

His state was divine,
yet he did not cling
to his equality with God
but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave,
and became as men are;
and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings in the heavens,
on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

  

Avoid anything in your everyday lives that would be unworthy of the gospel of Christ.

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Gospel                                          Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

What would you rather choose, to be right than happy or to be happy than right?

This question was posed in one of my meetings with my Care Group (a weekly support group). Without a blink I answered, being right than happy. It was never easy making that choice. I guess it was just how I was raised. It resulted to a number of disadvantages and advantages, to rock bottom nights and silver linings. However, there were instances too in life when decisions have to be made right away. In which, most of the time, I made careless mistakes. More so, when I chose not to mind the consequences of my actions and guilt creeps in afterwards, I feel shame when talking to God or even receiving Jesus in Holy Communion.

Aside from change, making a choice is also one of the constant realities in life.  The Gospel for today, talks about these two beautiful words, change and choice. Jesus tells a story of two imperfect sons to show the way of God’s kingdom. The “rebellious” son told his father that he would not work for him. Yet afterwards, changed his mind and did what the father commanded him. The “good” son said he would work for his father, but didn't carry through. Now, is one of them a good son? A choice was made in the story, a change of heart from sinfulness to righteousness and from righteousness to sinfulness. Jesus gives us a clear reminder, good intentions are not enough. Likewise, promises don’t count unless they are performed.

Thus repentance matters, the first reading mentioned that when someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of his iniquity that he must die. But if he turns away from wickedness and do what is right and just, he shall be saved. The road to holiness is a continuing process. God doesn't want it to end to low note when you have received Him already in the first place. That after a couple of misfortunes, drowned themselves to bottomless pit, feels unworthy and turned their back to God’s grace. Better are the worst sinners, represented in the Gospel by tax collectors and prostitutes, who after acknowledging their sinfulness and receiving Jesus as savior, resolve to live new and transform to become witnesses.

Salvation is a daily walk with God. Actions always speak louder than words. It is with God where we can find the greatest treasure in humanity – peace, joy and life with Him in His kingdom. Receive the bountiful grace He offers. Choose to live by the truth, choose Jesus, and you will be happy.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Open my heart to receive You in my life. Change my toxic thoughts that I may only desire those that are pleasing to You. Give me courage so I can respect and choose to follow Your will and  empower my spirit with joy and perseverance to carry it out wholeheartedly. For all that has been Lord and for all that will be, I thank you Lord. Amen.